Why Jews Sing “V’Hi She’Amdah” Even in Bomb Shelters | Unlocking the Haggadah #7 | 10@9 | 2026.03.16

The Passover Haggadah is not just a script for telling the story of the Exodus. It is also a framework for discussing the Jewish story in every generation — including our own. One of the most powerful passages is “V’Hi She’amdah,” the paragraph that reminds us that in every generation there are those who rise against the Jewish people — and that God has protected us again and again. In Israel, many people sing these words to the famous melody of Yonatan Razel. It is often sung at weddings — sometimes even in bomb shelters during times of war — expressing the deep Jewish certainty that despite every danger, we will endure and ultimately triumph. In this episode of Unlocking the Haggadah, we explore why this paragraph may be the moment at the Seder when we talk about what is happening to Jews today — in Israel and around the world. In this series, Unlocking the Haggadah, we uncover the hidden structure of the Haggadah so that every paragraph leads logically to the next — and the entire Seder becomes a thoughtful conversation rather than a confusing collection of texts. In the next episode, we’ll unlock the next piece of that structure. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.