In Parshas Lech Lecha the Torah tells us that when Avraham Avinu came to Eretz Yisrael, he built a mizbe’ach, and “Vayikra b’shem Hashem,” he called in the name of Hashem. The Ramban explains that this means that Avraham publicized to the world that there is a Creator and that He continually runs the world. He informed everyone that this great Creator wants everyone to follow in His wonderful ways.
The Ramban adds that Yitzchak Avinu continued this work in his own way. However, regarding Yaakov Avinu, we do not find that he publicized to the world about Hashem. The Ramban explains that this was because Yaakov had many sons and all of them were ovdei Hashem. Through them and their actions, Hashem’s name was publicized.
The Zohar (quoted in the famous Tefillas HaShela which many are accustomed to recite on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan) says that the purpose of this world is to teach humanity about Hashem and His ways. The only way this is accomplished is through Am Yisrael’s acting as servants of Hashem. At Yetzias Mitzrayim, we became a nation of servants of Hashem and the world then became aware of Hashem.
The Midrash in Esther Rabbah (6:2) likens Mordechai to Avraham Avinu in the sense that they both taught people about Hashem. As the pasuk says, “V’rabim mei’amei haaretz misyahadim,” many non-Jews joined the Jewish people after the miracle of Purim. The Midrash says that this is why Mordechai was called “Yehudi,” for he fulfilled the purpose of a yehudi – to teach the world about Hashem. This is the purpose of the Jewish nation as well. In fact, it is the Jewish people who contributed monotheism to the world. We must continue to educate the world about the Single Creator and Ruler of the world. But how are we to do so?
Yaakov Avinu went to Mitzrayim with 70 souls, and when we left, we had become a great nation. Not only did we become a nation, but we were also freed from being slaves to Pharaoh and became servants of Hashem and His special nation.
The Yalkut Shemoni (Tehillim 113) says that on the night before Yetzias Mitzrayim Pharaoh told the Jews that they were now free from his servitude; they became servants of Hashem and had to say Hallel. It is apparent from the Yalkut that reciting Hallel is one of the foundations of our nation. What is Hallel, and why is it so fundamental?
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 422) says that Hallel must be recited standing. The Shibolei Haleket explains that this is because Hallel is eidus – testimony – of the greatness of Hashem. It is a testament that there is a Creator and Ruler of the world, who acts in magnificent ways. Eidus must be given while standing, and therefore Hallel must be recited while standing as well.
Klal Yisrael’s mission is to testify to the world that there is a Borei Olam who runs the world. On the night when Klal Yisrael were leaving Mitzrayim and becoming avdei Hashem, they had to say Hallel to publicize this message to the world. That is why saying Hallel is so fundamental.
With our actions, Klal Yisrael is supposed to be mekadesh Hashem. Ein melech b’lo am – a king needs a people. Hashem is waiting for His nation. On Yom Tov we ask Hashem, “Galei kevod malchuscha aleinu.” When the nations of the world will see how Hashem saves His people, they will see that there is a Borei Olam who runs the world. That is our purpose. We must do everything that we can to merit that Hashem reveal His malchus and redeem us, displaying to the world that there is a Creator who runs the world.
May we all be zocheh to be fulfill our purpose of being mekadesh shem Shamayim, which will bring about the revelation of malchus Hashem b’meheirah b’yameinu.