One of the most familiar parts of the Seder night is the 4 cups of wine, based on the 4 phrases (leshonot) of redemption found at the beginning of parashat Va'eira. These 4 phrases correspond to the four letters of God's essential Name, Havayah. However, careful meditation on the opening verses reveals that there are 5 such phrases, leading some scholars to drink 5 cups. But, upon closer inspection, we find that following the same rule for identifying these phrases, there are actually 10 such phrases. Rabbi Ginsburgh explains how these 10 phrases of redemption correspond to the 10 sefirot, giving us a model for redeeming the 10 powers of the soul, sanctifying them all for serving God.
Parashat Va'eira : Ten Phrases of Redemption
