The first mishna in the tenth perek of Pesachim says that even the poorest Jews may not eat from erev Pesach until they are reclining at the seder table. Tosfos comments that we might have thought poor people would be exempt, since their reclining as a symbol of freedom is not really meaningful (they have nothing, and therefore have no reason to recline); nevertheless they too must wait and are obligated to recline.
This mishna emphasizes how important it is for each and every one of us – from the wealthiest person or the most respected rav to the poorest shlepper who sleeps in the gutter – to know that on Pesach we are all free, we are all respected, we are all b’nei melachim – children of royalty – with the full ability to serve only Hashem. This is the meaning of reclining at the Pesach seder.
To recline or not to recline? This year at the seder table, what will you do?