Deuteronômio 16:12 Comentário: Rashi, Chizkuni, Ramban & Ibn Ezra

וזכרת כי עבד היית וגו׳ AND THOU SHALT REMEMBER THAT THOU WAST A SERVANT [IN EGYPT] — Only on this condition did I deliver you from Egypt: that you keep and do these statutes.

וזכרת כי עבד היית במצרים, “you are to remember that you used to be a slave in Egypt.” It is noteworthy that this festival, as opposed to Passover, New Year’s Day fasting on the day of Atonement, and Sukkot, is not accompanied by specific rituals which are to serve as such reminders. This is why it was necessary for the Torah here to tell us that we must remember the significance of this day without visible reminders of its significance.

AND THOU SHALT REMEMBER THAT THOU WAST A BONDMAN IN EGYPT. Rabbi Abraham [ibn Ezra] said that this phrase is connected with the expression and thy manservant, and thy maidservant³⁶³Verse 11. [mentioned in the first part of the preceding verse]. The correct interpretation is according to the plain meaning thereof, that you are to observe these statutes³⁶⁴In Verse 12 before us. which the Lord Who redeemed thee out of the house of bondage³⁶⁵Above, 13:6. commanded you. We also proclaim in the Kiddush of that [festival] day, “It is a memorial of the exodus from Egypt.” He stated these statutes³⁶⁴In Verse 12 before us. with reference to the Festival of Weeks [an expression not used with reference to the other festivals] because the reason for the counting of seven weeks, and the observing of only the fiftieth day as the only solemn assembly is not mentioned in the Torah [and hence they are accounted as chukim — “statutes,” commandments for which we do not know the reasons, and therefore he warned us to observe and do these statutes]. I have already mentioned their secret.³⁶⁶Leviticus 23:36.
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