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1. “I will take you out…”
2. “I will save you…”
3. “I will redeem you…”
4. “I will take you as a nation…”
Our sages instituted that we should drink a cup of wine, a toast if you will, for each one of these expressions. We recite the Kiddush over the first cup, we read the Exodus story from the Haggadah over the second cup, we recite the Grace After Meals over the third cup, and we sing the "big Hallel" - Psalms and hymns of praises to G-d, over the fourth cup.
There is actually a fifth expression in the above mentioned verses "And I will bring you to the land which I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as an inheritance".2
While the Exodus from Egypt and the birth of the Jewish nation were permanent, we have yet to be brought to Israel on a permanent basis.
There are a number of explanations as to the significance of the various stages of redemption conveyed through each of these expressions. Here is one:
1. Salvation from harsh labor—this began as soon as the plagues were introduced.
2. Salvation from servitude; or the day the Jews left Egypt geographically and arrived at Ramses.
3. The splitting of the sea, after which the Jews felt completely redeemed, without fear of the Egyptians recapturing them.
4. Becoming a nation at Sinai.
While the Exodus from Egypt and the birth of the Jewish nation were permanent, we have yet to be brought to Israel on a permanent basis. That is why the fifth expression/cup is different than the other four, and it is reserved for Elijah. Elijah will announce the arrival of Moshiach, who will bring all Jews to Israel, for good.
During the Seder we can experience these elements of redemption in a spiritual sense, by leaving our “Egypt” and our servitude to our egos.
Sources: Shmot Rabbah end of 86; Ramban and Seforno on abovementioned verses. See also More reasons for the four cups of wine at the Seder
Footnotes
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