The text used universally by Jews on Pesach night, which enables them to fulfill the Mitzvah of Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim and guides them through the other Mitzvos associated with the Seder, is of course the Haggadah. Despite some questions as to who actually compiled the Haggadah as we have it, and when it was put together, it is clearly an old text, identified (as a "Haggadah") by the Rambam and other early sources. On its simplest level, the nickname Haggadah derives from the phrase "VeHigadta LeVincha", "and you shall relate to your children", which serves as the basis for the Mitzvah of retelling the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim each year.

There is, however, another interpretation of the word Haggadah (cited by Rebbeinu Dovid Avudraham). Elsewhere in the Torah, towards the end of Sefer Devarim (26:3), we find the word "Higadti", usually translated as "and I have related" to instead mean "and I have praised". It is this word which in fact introduces the pesukim that are explained in the central portion of the Maggid section of the Haggadah. Evidently, part of the Mitzvah of Haggadah on Pesach night is to praise Hashem. And the Haggadah is then rendered not a history book but a book of praise as well. Indeed, it is critical to bear in mind that on Pesach night we are not merely telling a story, but reliving an event, and part of the reliving includes our expression of gratitude and thanks to Hashem. The Haggadah is thus a book of thanks as well.

For this reason, Hallel is a significant part of the Pesach Seder. In fact, there are some authorities who hold that Hallel too must be recited before midnight, just as certain other Mitzvos of that night are to be completed by that point. Although that view is not accepted by all Poskim, it does illustrate that Hallel is not something extraneous to the Seder night, but an integral part of the evening's program. We should not lose sight of the fact that extending gratitude to Hashem is so central a part of the Pesach experience. And it may be hoped that the experience itself, together with friends and family, will inspire even more gratitude towards Hashem for the many blessings He has bestowed upon us.