sources mekorot - Why is Moshe (mostly) absent from the haggadah?

Somebody asked at my seder this year why Moshe is largely absent from the magid. I have heard that the reason is because we're supposed to focus on God, and also that Moshe was very humble and there might be a midrash about him asking not to be in it. But I can't source any of that. Are those the reasons? If not, what is? And either way, what's the source?

Answer

The sefer "HaSeder HaAruch" (vol. 2 chapter 129) brings several answers to this question:

1. 
   
   

   Moshe did not accomplish the desired goal of the Exodus from Egypt. The actual redemption was only brought about through the plague of Death of the Firstborn, which was executed by Hashem Himself, and not through Moshe, as we say in the Haggadah "I, and not the messenger". We therefore do not mention Moshe's role in the Haggadah, to teach us that everything was done by Hashem, and Moshe merely a servant fulfilling the will of his Master (The Gr"a).

   
   


2. 
   

   Our Sages foresaw that there would arise future generations that would be lacking a leader to intercede on behalf of them. In order to prevent this from causing despair, it is fitting to remember at such times that also in Egypt the redemption did not come about via an angel or Divine messenger, and even Moshe was not with them at the time which they called out and Hashem heard their cries. It was Hashem Himself Who redeemed them then, and He will likewise redeem us in the near future (Hagr"i Mikloyzenberg).

   
   


3. 
   

   Moshe in his humility did not want his name to be mentioned, and Hashem did his bidding (The Chofetz Chaim).

   
   


4. 
   

   The night of Pesach corresponds to the level of "Issarusa De'leayla" (an arousal from Above), as the Jews were redeemed despite being entrenched in the lowest levels of impurity. As Moshe represents the level of "Issarusa Delesata" (a revelation that comes about only through prior effort) his name is not mentioned (Maharam Mibulgurya).

   
   
   


5. 
   

   Moshe did not want to accept the task of taking the Jews out of Egypt. It is possible that for this reason we do not mention his name when telling over the story of the Exodus, since it 'came out the mouth' of Moshe (see Pesachim 114b).