A Passover Haggadah

The Progressive Seder

 Signposts for the Seder ‫ ָימנֵי ַה ֵּ ֶדר‬-ִ
Order

All sing:

‫ַק ֵּדש‬ Kadesh First Cup and Kiddush We review briefly

the order of the

‫ְּור ַחצ‬ Urkhatz First handwashing

Seder by singing
the medieval

-‫ַּכ ְר ַּפ‬
poem by Rabbenu
Karpas First dipping: vegetables and dips Shmuel of Falaise
(France) that
‫יַ ַחצ‬ Yakhatz Breaking the middle matza summarizes the
Signposts of the

‫ַמּגִ יד‬ Maggid Exodus Storytelling

Seder ("Kadesh
Urkhatz").

‫ַר ְחצָ ה‬ Rakhtza Second handwashing Now is a good

time to preview

‫מֹוצִ יא‬ Motzi First blessing over the matza

this year's
Seder's "coming

‫ַמּצָ ה‬ Matza Second blessing over the matza

attractions,"
announce the

‫ָמרֹור‬
menu, thank those
Maror Second dipping: maror in haroset who prepared,
and introduce

‫ּכֹורְכ‬
ֵ Korekh Hillel sandwich
the participants.
Invite people

‫עֹורְכ‬
ֵ ‫ֻש ְל ָחנ‬ Shulkhan Orekh Festive meal
to add their
own questions,
comments and
‫צָ פּונ‬ Tzafun Afikoman (dessert) songs.

‫ָּב ֵרְכ‬ Barekh Birkat HaMazon (blessing after eating) and Third Cup

‫ַה ֵּלל‬ Hallel Psalms of Praise and Fourth Cup

‫נִ ְרצָ ה‬ Nirtza Concluding poem, songs and "Next Year in Jerusalem"

Page 2
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 CANDLE LIGHTING
Bringing light into the darkness

.‫ ֲא ֶשׁר ִק ְדּ ָשׁנוּ ְבּ ִמצְ ָוֹתיו וְ צִ וָּ נוּ לְ ַה ְדלִ יק נֵ ר ֶשׁל יוֹם טוֹב‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu
lehadlik ner shel yom tov.

the Children
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations, commanding
us to light the holiday candles.

As weoriginates
one’s offspring light thewith
candles
Jacoband welcome the glow
and holidays many ofparents
Passover
lay into
their our homes,
hands on thewe pray
head of that all
As
On the eve we light
of Yom the candles
Kippur, around and
on Shabbat welcome the
eachnd glow
child, of Passover into our homes, we pray
those suffering the world lightblessing
in the them with the priests’ benediction.
darkness.
that all those suffering around the world find light in the darkness.
We pray that our experience tonight helps us to ignite the spark of justice within each of
We pray that our experience tonight helps us to ignite the spark of justice within
us.
each
For of us.children:
male !
MAY
We that make
prayGOD youthe
we have likestrength
Ephraimto and
carryMenashe. .‫ה‬ûֶ‫ּׁש‬óַinto
forth this light ‫נ‬ñְ‫מ‬îִ‫כ‬èְ‫ו‬the
‫ם‬ìִ‫י‬-öְ
‫פ‬äֶ‫א‬îְ‫ים ּכ‬éִ
world, ‫ה‬$äֱ‫& א‬ñְa‫ימ‬ûִ‫ׂש‬ìְ‫י‬
creating
We pray that we have the strength to carry forth this light into the world, creating
beautiful andfrom
(Genesis 48:20 bold ame
Jacob’s that
blessing forinspires others to work by our sides to pursue freedom and
his grandchildren)
h a beautiful and bold flame that inspires others to work by our sides to pursue
justice for
freedom alljustice
and people.
For female children: for all people.
MAY GOD make you like Sarah and Rebecca, ‫ה‬9ãְ‫ב‬6 ‫ה‬7ûָ‫ׂש‬îְ‫ים ּכ‬éִ‫ה‬$äֱ‫' א‬ñֵ‫ימ‬ûִ‫ׂש‬ìְ‫י‬
ne
Blessing the Children
Rachel and Leah. .‫ה‬äָ‫א‬ïֵ‫ל‬èְ‫ל ו‬ëֵ‫ח‬7
n (See Ruth 4:11, the women’s blessing for Ruth the convert)
The custom of blessing one’s offspring originates with Jacob and holidays many parents lay their hands on the head of
t as and his grandchildren. On the eve of Yom Kippur, on Shabbat each child, blessing them with the priests’ benediction.
ua For all:
wo MAY GOD bless you and keep you. >=ñְ‫מ‬ûְ‫ׁש‬ìִ‫י‬èְ‫י ו‬ìְìָ ‫> י‬îְ‫=כ‬ãָ‫ב‬ìְ‫י‬
MayAGod’s For male children:
face shine upon
Private you and favor you. ָ ‫ּנ‬ëֻ
‫ּך‬ óֶ ‫יח‬èִ
‫ו‬ >‫י‬ïֶ‫ל‬äֵ‫א‬ ‫יו‬óָ ‫נ‬öָ
‫ּפ‬ ‫י‬ìְ
ìָ ‫י‬ ‫ר‬äֵ
‫א‬ìָ‫י‬ !
MAY GOD make you like Ephraim and Menashe. .‫ה‬ûֶ‫ּׁש‬óַ‫נ‬ñְ‫מ‬îִ‫כ‬èְ‫ם ו‬ìִ‫י‬-öְ‫פ‬äֶ‫א‬îְ‫ים ּכ‬éִ‫ה‬$äֱ‫& א‬ñְ‫ימ‬ûִ‫ׂש‬ìְ‫י‬
Moment of
May God’s face turn to you
Intimacy with
(Genesis 48:20 from Jacob’s blessing for his grandchildren) >‫י‬ïֶ‫ל‬äֵ‫יו א‬óָ‫נ‬öָ‫י ּפ‬ìְìָ ‫א י‬ûָ‫ׂש‬ìִ‫י‬
e andour
grant you shalom. For female children:
Children .‫לֹום‬ûָ‫> ׁש‬ïְ‫ם ל‬ûֵ‫ׂש‬ìָ‫י‬èְ‫ו‬
d (Numbers
Rabbi 6:24-26, MAY GOD make you like Sarah and Rebecca,
the priestly benediction)
Jacob Emden ‫ה‬9ãְ‫ב‬6 ‫ה‬7ûָ‫ׂש‬îְ‫ים ּכ‬éִ‫ה‬$äֱ‫' א‬ñֵ‫ימ‬ûִ‫ׂש‬ìְ‫י‬
ion of Prague (19th c.) Rachel and Leah. 4 .‫ה‬äָ‫א‬ïֵ‫ל‬èְ‫ל ו‬ëֵ‫ח‬7
recommends that one
an (See Ruth 4:11, the women’s blessing for Ruth the convert)
place both hands on
the child’s head, just as
Moshe blessed Joshua For all:
his successor with two MAY GOD bless you and keep you. >=ñְ‫מ‬ûְ‫ׁש‬ìִ‫י‬èְ‫י ו‬ìְìָ ‫> י‬îְ‫=כ‬ãָ‫ב‬ìְ‫י‬
d
hands – without May God’s face shine upon you and favor you. ‫ּנָּך‬ëֻ
óֶ ‫יח‬èִ‫י> ו‬ïֶ‫ל‬äֵ‫יו א‬óָ‫נ‬öָ‫י ּפ‬ìְìָ ‫ר י‬äֵ‫א‬ìָ‫י‬
reservation, without
gift jealousy. The priests May God’s face turn to you >‫י‬ïֶ‫ל‬äֵ‫יו א‬óָ‫נ‬öָ‫י ּפ‬ìְìָ ‫א י‬ûָ‫ׂש‬ìִ‫י‬
also bless the people and grant you shalom. .‫לֹום‬ûָ‫> ׁש‬ïְ‫ם ל‬ûֵ‫ׂש‬ìָ‫י‬èְ‫ו‬
ur with two open-faced (Numbers 6:24-26, the priestly benediction)
nly hands as an expression
of love. “Everyone can
s Who Knows God?
also take this
e opportunity to add
f their own personal Ben Shahn © 1996
blessing to each child Ben Shahn Estate
according to one’s gift Licensed by VAGA,
of eloquence” (Siddur NY, NY
Bet El). There are only
two lasting bequests Who Knows God?
we can hope to give
our children. One of Page 3 Ben Shahn © 1996
Ben Shahn Estate
these is roots; the Licensed by VAGA,
fl
fi
 THE FIRST CUP
Awakening

.‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ַהגָּ ֶפן‬

ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei peri hagafen.

THE FIRST CUP

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

.‫ ֶשׁ ֶה ֱחיָ נוּ וְ ִקיְּ ָמנוּ וְ ִהגִּ ָיﬠנוּ לַ זְּ ַמן ַהזֶּ ה‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Awakening
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu vekiyemanu
vehigi'anu lazman hazeh. .‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ַהגָּ ֶפן‬
ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
We praise
Baruch God,
Atah Ruler Eloheinu
Adonai, of Everything,
Melech who has keptborei
ha-olam, us alive, raised us up
peri hagafen.
and brought us to this moment.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

.‫ ֶשׁ ֶה ֱחיָ נוּ וְ ִקיְּ ָמנוּ וְ ִהגִּ ָיﬠנוּ לַ זְּ ַמן ַהזֶּ ה‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Tonight, we gather around the Seder table to recount the ancient Israelites’
Baruch
gatherAtah
Tonight, wemiraculous Adonai,
together to Eloheinu
recount Melech
the ha-olam,
ancient shehecheyanu
Israelites’ vekiyemanu
miraculous journey
transformation from slavery to freedom. Their story began with from
an
vehigi'anu lazman hazeh.
awakening:
slavery to freedom. As our
Their storytradition
beginsteaches,
with anMoses
awakeningsaw the
in burning
the formbush andburning
of the recognized
bush.
We praise
thatthe
he was God, Ruler
calledbush of Everything,
to liberate who
his peoplehas kept us
from Egypt. alive, raised us up
We remember burning now
and brought us to this moment. and acknowledge that there are still people who
need our help.
Our journey, too, begins with an awakening: May this first cup of wine rouse each
Our journey, oftoo,
us tobegins
the injustice
with an that persists in May
awakening: our world
this today.
rst cupMay we recognize
of wine rouse eachour of
ownus to
capacity to make a difference and commit ourselves to building a better world.
the injusticeTonight, we gather
that persists around
in our worldthe SederMay
today. tablewetorecognize
recount theour ancient Israelites’to make a
own capacity
miraculous transformation from slavery to freedom. Their story began with an
difference and commit ourselves to building a better world.
awakening: As our tradition teaches, Moses saw the burning bush and recognized
that he wasfor
Question called to liberate his people from Egypt.
Discussion:
What injustices are you awakening to this year—either in your own community or
Our journey,
around too, begins with an awakening: May this first cup of wine rouse each
the world?
of us to the injustice that persists in our world today. May we recognize our own
capacity to make a difference and commit ourselves to building a better world.

Question for Discussion:

What injustices are you awakening to this year—either in your own community or
around the world?

Page 4
fi
 URCHATZ: RITUAL WASHING OF THE HANDS
Dedication

Human
Our handshands can
can be be vehicles
vehicles for creation
for creation or destruction.
or destruction. Weour
We cleanse cleanse
handsour
and
dedicate them
hands, and to working
dedicate themfor to
good in the world.
dismantling oppressive structures and working for
good in the world.

KARPAS: DIPPING A VEGETABLE

IN SALT WATER Struggle and aspiration
.‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ָה ֲא ָד ָמה‬
ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei peri ha-adama.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruits of the earth.
When we dip the karpas into the salt water, we recognize the tears of all who
suffer as well as the hard work and determination of those ghting injustice.
When we dip the karpas into the salt water, we see the tears of all who suffer
Our ancestors, ancient and recent, endured hardships and horrors that we can
injustice mingling with our hopes for life, rebirth and new possibilities for justice.
only imagine. When we eat the herbs, we recognize that spring brings hope;
hope for life, peace, and justice.

YACHATZ: BREAKING THE MIDDLE MATZAH

Brokenness and repair
6
We break the
Kabbalist matzah
Rabbi in Luria
Isaac two, reflecting
taught ofthe deepolam,
tikkun brokenness in our
repairing theworld andThis
world. our
commitment to repair
Kabbalistic idea has it.
evolved into the concept that the world is
fundamentally broken and can only be repaired by human action.

We break the matzoh in two, re ecting on the deep brokenness in our

world and our commitment to repair it.
OPPOSITE: When Ebola struck Liberia in 2014, AJWS supported local efforts to halt the epidemic.
This schoolgirl is one of 40,000 people in communities and schools who received sanitation
supplies from an AJWS grantee called BAWODA. Today, she is healthy and still learning.
Photo by Jonathan Torgovnik Page 5
7
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 HA LACHMA ANYA
The bread of affliction
The bread of affliction

‫א‬
‫א ַַﬠﬠנְנְ יָיָ א‬
‫מא‬
‫א לַלַ ְְחח ָָמ‬
‫ָָההא‬
Ha
Ha lachma
lachma anya—this
anya—this is
is the
the bread
bread of
of affliction.
affliction.

At
At the
the Seder,
Seder, we
we begin
begin as as slaves.
slaves. We
We eat
eat matzah,
matzah, the
the bread
bread ofof affliction,
affliction, which
which
leaves
leaves us hungry and longing for redemption. The matzah enables us to imagine
At the us hungry
Seder, weand longing
begin for redemption.
as slaves. The matzah
We eat matzah, enables
the bread of us
af to imagine
iction, which leaves us
what
what it
it was
was like
like to
to have
have only
only poor
poor bread
bread toto eat,
eat, to
to be
be denied
denied our
our right
right to
to live
live free
free
hungry
and and longing for redemption. The matzah enables us to imagine what it was like to
and healthy
healthy lives.
lives.
have only poor bread to eat, to be denied our right to live free and healthy lives.
But,
But, while
while we
we will
will soon
soon enjoy
enjoy aa large
large meal
meal and
and end
end the
the Seder
Seder night
night as
as free
free people,
people,
795
795 million
million people
people around
around the
the world
world live
live with
with the
the daily
daily reality
reality of
of hunger.
hunger. Let Let us
us
awaken
awaken to
to their
their cries
cries and declare:
andenjoy
declare:
But, while we will soon a large meal and end the Seder night as free people, 795
million people around the world live with the daily reality of hunger. Let us awaken to their

‫יתיי וְוְ יֵיֵ ייככֹלֹל‬

‫כָּכָּ לל ִִדדכְכְ ִִפפיןין יֵיֵ ֵֵית‬
Kol
Kol dichfin
dichfin yeitei
yeitei v’yeichol—let
v’yeichol—let all
all who
who are
are hungry,
hungry, come
come and
and eat.
eat.

cries and declare:

Let
Let us
us work
work toward
toward aa time
time when
when allall who
who are
are hungry
hungry will
will eat
eat as
as free
free people.
people.
Let us work toward a time when all who are hungry will eat as free people.
Let
Let all
all people
people have
have access
access to
to sustenance.
sustenance. LetLet local
local farms
farms flourish
flourish and
and local
local
Let all people
economies have
economies strengthen. access
strengthen. Let to sustenance.
Let exploitation
exploitation of Let
of naturallocal farms
natural resources
resources ceaseourish
cease so andthe
so that
that local
the economies
land
land
may
may nourish
strengthen. its
its inhabitants.
nourish Let exploitation
inhabitants. Let
Letofour world
natural
our leaders
leaders recognize
worldresources cease so
recognize food
thatas
food aa basic
asthe landhuman
basic may nourish its
human
right
right and
and put
put an
an end
end to
to hunger.
hunger. Let
Let usus support
support the
the communities
communities of of the
the world
world on
on
their
their paths
paths to
to sustenance.
sustenance.
8
8 .‫חוֹרין‬
ִ ‫ָה ַשׁ ָתּא ַﬠ ְב ֵדי לְ ָשׁנָ ה ַה ָבּ ָאה ְבּנֵ י‬
Hashata avdei—this year, we are still slaves. Leshanah haba’ah b’nei chorin—
next year, we will be free people.

inhabitants. Let our world leaders recognize food as a basic human right and put an end to
This year, hunger and malnutrition are among the greatest risks to health around
hunger. Let us support the communities of the world on their paths to sustenance.
the world. Next year, may the bread of affliction be simply a symbol, and may all
people enjoy the bread of plenty, the bread of freedom.

Page 6
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This year, hunger and malnutrition are among the greatest risks to health around the
world. Next year, may the bread of af iction be simply a symbol, and may all people enjoy
the bread of plenty, the bread of freedom.

Page 7
fl
 that our legacy as the descendants of slaves creates in us a different kind of
responsibility—we must protect the stranger because we were strangers in the
land of Egypt.
On other nights, we often choose to let the news of tragedy in distant places to pass us by.
Let us add a fifth question to this year’s Seder. Let us ask ourselves:
How do we make this year different from all other years?
How can we make this year different from all other years?

This year, let us recommit to our sacred responsibility to protect the stranger, the
poor and the vulnerable:

When tasting the matzah, the bread of poverty, let us find ways to help the
poor and the hungry.
When eating the maror, the bitter herbs, let us commit to help those whose
lives are embittered by discrimination, persecution and hate.
When spilling wine from our glasses to mourn the Egyptians’ suffering during
the 10 plagues, let us pledge to aid those who suffer from modern afflictions—
from HIV/AIDS to Ebola.

FourWhen
Questions
reclining in celebration of our freedom, let us seek opportunities to help
those who are still oppressed today.
1. Pour the second cup for everyone and let the 2. Some people distribute nuts and
younger children sing “Ma Nishtana.” candies to reward the children’s curiosity.

MA NISHTANA ‫ה‬óָ‫ּנ‬üַ‫ּת‬ûְ‫ׁש‬óִ‫ה ּנ‬ñַ‫מ‬ Kadesh

HOW IS THIS NIGHT different Ma nish-ta-na ha-lai-la ha-zeh, ‫ה‬êֶ‫ּז‬éַ‫ה ה‬ïָ‫ל‬ìְ‫י‬ïַ‫ּל‬éַ‫ה‬ Urchatz
from all other nights? mee-kol ha-lei-lot? ?‫ילֹות‬ïֵ‫ּל‬éַ‫ל ה‬îָ‫ּכ‬ñִ‫מ‬ Karpas
Yachatz
ON ALL other nights, She-b’chol ha-lei-lot, ‫ילֹות‬ïֵ‫ּל‬éַ‫ל ה‬îָ‫כ‬ãְ‫ּב‬ûֶ‫ׁש‬
11 Maggid
we eat anu och-leen, ‫ין‬ïִ‫ל‬îְ‫נּו אֹוכ‬äָ‫א‬
Four
either leavened bread or matza, cha-metz u-matza ,‫ה‬õָ‫ּצ‬ñַ‫ץ ּומ‬ñֵ‫מ‬ëָ‫ח‬ Questions
but on this night we eat only matza. Ha-lai-la ha-zeh, ku-lo matza. .‫ה‬õָ‫ּצ‬ñַ‫ּלֹו מ‬îֻ‫ה ּכ‬êֶ‫ּז‬éַ‫ה ה‬ïָ‫ל‬ìְ‫י‬ïַ‫ּל‬éַ‫ה‬
ON ALL other nights, She-b’chol ha-lei-lot ‫ילֹות‬ïֵ‫ּל‬éַ‫ל ה‬îָ‫כ‬ãְ‫ּב‬ûֶ‫ׁש‬
we eat other kinds of vegetables, anu och-leen sh’ar y’ra-kot, ‫<קֹות‬ìְ‫ר י‬äָ‫א‬ûְ‫ין ׁש‬ïִ‫ל‬îְ‫נּו אֹוכ‬äָ‫א‬
but on this night we eat maror (bitter herbs). Ha-lai-la ha-zeh maror. .‫רֹור‬ñָ‫ה מ‬êֶ‫ּז‬éַ‫ה ה‬ïָ‫ל‬ìְ‫י‬ïַ‫ּל‬éַ‫ה‬
ON ALL other nights, She-b’chol ha-lei-lot ‫ילֹות‬ïֵ‫ּל‬éַ‫ל ה‬îָ‫כ‬ãְ‫ּב‬ûֶ‫ׁש‬
we need not dip ein anu mat-bee-leen, ‫ין‬ïִ‫יל‬ãִ‫ּב‬íְ‫ט‬ñַ‫נּו מ‬äָ‫ין א‬äֵ‫א‬
our vegetables even once, afee-lu pa-am achat ,‫ת‬ëָ‫ח‬äֶ‫ם א‬ôַ‫ע‬öַ‫ילּו ּפ‬öִ‫פ‬äֲ‫א‬
but on this night we dip twice. Ha-lai-la ha-zeh, shtei-p’ameem. .‫ים‬ñִ‫מ‬ôָ‫ע‬öְ‫י פ‬üֵ‫ּת‬ûְ‫ה ׁש‬êֶ‫ּז‬éַ‫ה ה‬ïָ‫ל‬ìְ‫י‬ïַ‫ּל‬éַ‫ה‬
ON ALL other nights, She-b’chol ha-lei-lot ‫ילֹות‬ïֵ‫ּל‬éַ‫ל ה‬îָ‫כ‬ãְ‫ּב‬ûֶ‫ׁש‬
we eat anu och-leen, ‫ין‬ïִ‫ל‬îְ‫נּו אֹוכ‬äָ‫א‬
either sitting upright bein yo-shveen ‫ין‬ãִ‫ב‬ûְ‫ין יֹוׁש‬ãֵ‫ּב‬
or reclining, u-vein m’su-been ,‫ין‬ãִ‫ּב‬òֻ‫ס‬ñְ‫ין מ‬ãֵ‫ּוב‬
but on this night Ha-lai-la ha-zeh, ‫ה‬êֶ‫ּז‬éַ‫ה ה‬ïָ‫ל‬ìְ‫י‬ïַ‫ּל‬éַ‫ה‬
we all recline. ku-la-nu m’su-been. .‫ין‬ãִ‫ּב‬òֻ‫ס‬ñְ‫נּו מ‬ïָ‫ּל‬îֻ‫ּכ‬

14

Page 8
 MAH
THE NISHTANAH:
FOUR CHILDREN THE FOUR QUESTIONS
Transforming questions into action
Teaching the next generation
?‫ַמה נִּ ְשׁ ַתּנָּ ה ַה ַלּֽיְ לָ ה ַהזֶּ ה ִמכָּ ל ַהלֵּ ילוֹת‬
At Passover each year, we read the story of our ancestors’ pursuit of liberation from
Ma nishtana halaila hazeh mikol haleilot?
oppression. When confronting this history, how do we answer our children when
Why is this
they ask night different
us how fromjustice
to pursue all other nights?
in our time?

What does the activist .‫ה‬ ָ‫לּוֹ ַמצּ‬

child ֻ‫ ַה ַלּֽיְ לָ ה ַהזֶּ ה כּ‬.‫וּמצָּ ה‬
ask? ַ ‫שׁ ְבּכָ ל ַהלֵּ ילוֹת ָ ֽאנוּ אוֹכְ לִ ין ָח ֵמץ‬ ֶׁ
Shebechol haleilot
“The Torah anu‘Justice,
tells me, ochlin chameitz
justice you u-matzah.
shall pursue, Halaila’ but hazeh
how can kulo matzah.
I pursue justice?”
On all other nights we eat both leavened bread and matzah.
Empower
Tonight her eat
we only always to seek pathways to advocate for the vulnerable. As Proverbs
matzah.
teaches, “Speak up for the mute, for the rights of the unfortunate. Speak up, judge
righteously, champion the‫רוֹר‬ ‫ה ָמ‬and
poor ֶ‫ה ַהזּ‬the
ָ‫ה ַלּֽיְ ל‬needy.
ַ .‫ֶשׁ ְבּכָ ל ַהלֵּ ילוֹת ָ ֽאנוּ אוֹכְ לִ ין ְשׁ ָאר יְ ָ ”רקוֹת‬
Shebechol haleilot anu ochlin she-ar yirakot. Halaila hazeh maror.
What does the skeptical child ask?
On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables. Tonight we eat bitter herbs.
“How can I solve problems of such enormity?”

Encourage.‫ים‬ ‫פﬠָ ִמ‬by

him ְ ‫תּי‬explaining
ֵ ‫ֽיְ לָ ה ַהזֶּ ה ְשׁ‬that
‫ ַה ַלּ‬.‫ת‬he‫א ָח‬need
ֶ ‫ ַ ֽפּﬠַ ם‬not
‫ִפילוּ‬solve
‫ילִ ין ֲא‬the
‫ ַמ ְט ִבּ‬problems,
‫ילוֹת ֵאין ָ ֽאנוּ‬
he ֵ‫לּ‬must
‫ ְבּכָ ל ַה‬only
‫ ֶשׁ‬do
what he is capable of doing. As we read in Pirkei Avot—The Ethics of Our Ancestors,
Shebechol haleilot ain anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat. Halaila hazeh shtei pe-amim.
“It is not your responsibility to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist
Onfrom
all other
it.” nights we aren’t expected to dip our vegetables even one time.
Tonight we do it twice.
What does the indifferent child say?
.‫ ַה ַלּֽיְ לָ ה ַהזֶּ ”ה כֻּ ָלּֽנוּ ְמ ֻס ִבּין‬.‫יוֹשׁ ִבין ֵוּבין ְמ ֻס ִבּין‬
“It’s not my responsibility. ְ ‫ֶשׁ ְבּכָ ל ַהלֵּ ילוֹת ָ ֽאנוּ אוֹכְ לִ ין ֵבּין‬
Shebechol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin uvein mesubin. Halaila hazeh
Persuade
kulanu her that responsibility cannot be shirked. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua
mesubin.
Heschel writes, “The opposite of good is not evil; the opposite of good is
On all other nights we eat either sitting or reclining. Tonight we recline.
indifference. In a free society where terrible wrongs exist, some are guilty, but all
are responsible.”
Children, Cambodia
We succumb to compassion fatigue—aware that 10 we cannot possibly respondPhoto
to every
by Christine Han
12
injustice that arises around the world. On this night, we are reminded that our legacy as the
descendants of slaves creates in us a different kind of responsibility—we must protect the
stranger because we were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Therefore, we add a fth question to this year’s Seder

Page 9
fi
Page 10
 And the uninformed child who does not know how to ask ...

Prompt him to see himself as an inheritor of our people’s legacy. As it says in

Deuteronomy, “You must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land
of Egypt.”

At this season of liberation, let us work toward the liberation of all people.

Let us respond to our children’s questions with action and justice.

“On Passover, Jews are commanded to tell the story of the

Exodus and to see ourselves as having lived through that story,
so that we may better learn how to live our lives today. The stories
we tell our children shape what they believe to be possible ... ”
MAGID:
—JusticeTHE PASSOVER
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, STORY
AJWS Passover essay 2015
From slavery to freedom

.‫חוֹרין‬
ִ ‫ ַﬠ ָתּה ְבּנֵ י‬- ‫ֲﬠ ָב ִדים ָהיִ ינוּ לְ ַפ ְרעֹה ְבּ ִמצְ ָריֽ ם‬
Avadim hayinu lepharo bemitzrayim—ata benei chorin.
We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt—now we are free.

The Passover story chronicles the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. It
celebrates the movement from oppression to liberation and our belief that tyranny
can be thwarted and justice can prevail.
13
Around the world today, courageous people are making similar journeys—leaving
behind violence, poverty and persecution and seeking security, freedom, prosperity
and peace.

Questions for Discussion:

Read the stories on the following pages.
What do these changemakers have in common?
What other stories can you tell that give hope for the year ahead?

Page 11
 THE 10 PLAGUES
Suffering and affliction

As we read the 10 plagues, we spill drops of wine from our cups, mourning the
suffering the Egyptians endured so that we could be free. This year, as these drops
spread across our plates, let us turn our hearts toward the millions of people around
the world suffering today’s plagues of hatred, prejudice, baseless violence and war.
‫ָדּם‬
Dam—Blood We comfort and mourn those whose blood has been spilled.
ַ‫צְ ַפ ְר ֵ ֽדּﬠ‬ We protest the proliferation of violence.
Tzfardeiya—Frogs
‫כִּ נִּ ים‬ We stop infestations of hatred and fear.
Kinim—Lice
‫ָﬠרוֹב‬ We remember that
appeal to all we share
people this
to act planet
with and are responsible for its well-being.
humanity.
Arov—Wild Animals
‫ֶ ֽדּ ֶבר‬ We overcome the sickness of racism and bigotry.
Dever—Pestilence
‫ְשׁ ִחין‬ We tend to those who suffer from disease.
Shechin—Boils
‫ָבּ ָרד‬ We respond to storms and disasters that claim lives.
Barad—Hail
‫ַא ְר ֶבּה‬ We fill the air with voices for change.
Arbeh—Locusts
‫ֽ ֹח ֶשְׁך‬ We bring light to those who live in the shadows.
Choshech—Darkness
‫ַמכַּ ת ְבּכוֹרוֹת‬ We inspire the next generation to carry on the struggle
Makat B’chorot— for a better world.
Death of the Firstborn
19

We retell the Passover story, the exodus from slavery in Egypt. We celebrate the movement
from oppression to liberation. We remember that when the Israelites arrived in Egypt they
found food during a famine and thrived. Though the story ends with freedom, it also
begins with freedom. We must not forget that not only were we slaves in the land of Egypt
but our ancestors also found refuge there. The end of the story tells us that justice can

Page 12
prevail, but the beginning of the story reminds us that our comfort is fragile. Until the world
knows not slavery and oppression, we will not truly be free.

Tragically, the story of the exodus is still relevant. Around the world today, courageous
people are making similar journeys—leaving behind violence, poverty and persecution and
seeking security, freedom, prosperity and peace.

Page 13
 DAYENU
Supporting the long journey to freedom

.‫ ַדּיֵּ נוּ‬,‫יאנוּ ִמ ִמּצְ ַ ֽריִ ם‬

ֽ ָ ִ‫ִאלּוּ הוֹצ‬
Ilu hotzianu mi mitzrayim, dayeinu!
If God had only taken us out of Egypt, that would have been enough!

This
Dayenu year,
recallswe recommit
every to to
step in our path our collective
redemption: responsibility
departure from Egypt, theto protect
splitting of the sea, sustenance in the wilderness, the giving of the Torah and our
the
arrivaltired, theofpoor,
in the land thealthough
Israel. And hungry, and the
we express vulnerable
gratitude for each moment
by saying, “It would have been enough,” we know that all of these steps were
• When
necessary tastingfull
to achieve thefreedom.
matzah,Had
the the
bread of poverty,
journey we pledge
ended with to of
the leaving nd ways to help and
give
Egypt, we to the
would notmillions that do not have access to food.
be free people.

As•today’s freedom-seekers depart their own Egypts, they contend with obstacles
When eating the maror,
as formidable as the raging sea and find the strength to persevere through the
challengesthethat
bitter
lieherbs,
ahead. we
We stand with them proudly, as Jews, through the
durationcommit
of theirto help those
journeys.
whose lives are
It is critical that we support
embittered by survivors of disasters, wars and conflicts until they
are able to rebuild their lives. We must stand with religious and ethnic minorities
discrimination,
as long as the threat of violence or genocide rages. We must fight for the rights
of women, persecution and hate.
girls and LGBT people until true equality is achieved. And we must
persevere in defending the precious natural resources that sustain our world.
• When spilling wine from
Just as the
ourIsraelites
glasses needed support at each step of their journey, so too do those
to remember
around the world who persist in lifting the shadow of suffering and oppression.
the 10 plagues and mourn the Egyptians’ suffering, we promise to aid those who
suffer from contemporary plagues and modern af ictions, natural disasters and
human atrocities.
20
• When reclining in celebration of our freedom, we acknowledge how fortunate we
are and we will work to seek opportunities to help those who are still oppressed
today.

Page 14
fl
fi
 Dayenu recalls every step of our path to liberation: departure from Egypt, the splitting of
the sea, sustenance in the wilderness, the giving of the Torah, and our arrival in the land of
Israel. And although we are grateful for each moment by proclaiming, “It would have been
enough,” we know that all of these steps were necessary to achieve full freedom. Had the
journey ended with the leaving of Egypt, we would not be free people.

As today’s freedom-seekers depart their own Egypts, they contend with obstacles as
formidable as the raging sea and nd the strength to persevere through the challenges
that lie ahead. We will support survivors of disasters, wars, and con icts and will help them
to rebuild their lives.

We stand with those who suffer racial, religious, and ethnic persecution for the threat of
violence and genocide still exists. We ght for the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQIA2S+
people and will continue to ght until true equality is achieved. And we reaf rm our duty to
defend the planet against those who seek to despoil it, and to make this world a
welcoming place for all.

THE SECOND CUP

Solidarity

Thefirst
The rstcup
cupofofwine
wine awakened
awakened usinjustice
us to to injustice
and and to capacity
to our our capacity to bring
to bring about about change.
change. The second
The second cup is cup
the isrst
thestep
first toward
step toward realizing
realizing thatthat change.
change. WeWe raise
raise ourglasses in
our
glass in solidarity
solidarity with allwith all those
those who experience
who experience injustice
injustice around
around thethe world
world andanddedicate
dedicate ourselves to bringing freedom together.
ourselves to bringing freedom together.

.‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ַהגָּ ֶפן‬

ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei peri hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Questions for Discussion:

With whom would you like to grow in solidarity this year?
How can you deepen those relationships?

The Israelites needed support at each step of their journey and we have also needed
support throughout the many exoduses that makeup the story of the Jewish people. So

Page 15
fi
fi
fi
fi
fi
fl
fi
 RACHTZAH
Ritual hand washing with a blessing

.‫ וְ צִ וָּ נוּ ַﬠל נְ ִטילַ ת יָ ָ ֽדיִ ם‬,‫ ֲא ֶשׁר ִק ְדּ ָ ֽשׁנוּ ְבּ ִמצְ ָוֹתיו‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶ ֽמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֽ ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav,
vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations,
commanding us to wash our hands.

MOTZI-MATZAH
Blessing and eating the matzah

.‫ ַהמּוֹצִ יא ֶל ֶֽחם ִמן ָה ָ ֽא ֶרץ‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶ ֽמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬

ֽ ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who brings bread from the land.

.‫ ֲא ֶשׁר ִק ְדּ ָ ֽשׁנוּ ְבּ ִמצְ ַָוֹתיו וְ צִ ָוּֽנוּ ַﬠל ֲאכִ ילַ ת ַמצָּ ה‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶ ֽמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֽ ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu
b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat matzah.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through
obligations, commanding us to eat matzah.

23

even as we sing Dayenu, we recognize that those around the world who work to rid
themselves of suffering and oppression need support too. Dayenu is a step in the right
direction, a beacon of hope, and often miraculous; but it is not enough.

If the world hears the cries of the oppressed, but does not come to their aid ...

Page 16
 MAROR
Blessing and eating the bitter herbs

.‫ וְ צִ וָּ ֽנוּ ַﬠל ֲאכִ ילַ ת ָמרוֹר‬,‫ ֲא ֶשׁר ִק ְדּ ָ ֽשׁנוּ ְבּ ִמצְ ָוֹתיו‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶ ֽמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֽ ֵ ‫ַ ֱא‬, ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav,
vetzivanu al achilat maror.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations,
commanding us to eat bitter herbs.

KORECH
Matzah, maror and charoset eaten together

In the time of the second Temple in Jerusalem, the sage Hillel ate the matzah,
maror and the Passover Sacrifice—Korban Pesach—together. This combination
of tastes and flavors encompasses the full evolution from slavery to freedom.
The maror is the bitterness of persecution. The matzah is the bread baked on the
Israelites’ backs as they fled. The lamb is a symbol of their redemption.

Tonight, the korech sandwich represents the bitter and sweet that coexist in
our world, and our responsibility to tip the scales toward sweetness, justice and
redemption.

It will not be enough.

If we empower those who are suffering to escape violence, but fail to offer them refuge ...
24

It will not be enough.

If our generosity supports the needs of today, but forsakes the needs of tomorrow ...

It will not be enough.

However, if we persevere until stability, peace, and justice have been attained ...

Page 17
 SHULCHAN ORECH: A festive meal
honoring freedom-seekers around the world
As we enjoy the Passover meal, we honor all those who struggled so that we could
be free tonight—and all who still persevere in the pursuit of justice worldwide.

TZAFUN: AFIKOMAN
Eating the broken matzah

It is traditional for the final taste of food at the Seder to be the afikoman—the piece
of the matzah that we broke earlier in the evening.

May the lingering taste of the bread of affliction in our mouths inspire us to never
cease our hunger for freedom.

Dayenu! Then it will be enough.

25

Page 18
 BARECH: BIRKAT HAMAZON
Gratitude

After eating this meal, we express gratitude for all of the bounty in our lives—from
the food that sustains us to the precious freedoms we enjoy today.

‫ הוּא‬.‫ ְבּ ֶח ֶסד ְוּב ַר ֲח ִמים‬,‫ ְבּ ֵחן‬,‫ ַהזָּ ן ֶאת ָהעוֹלָ ם כֻּ לּוֹ ְבּטוּבוֹ‬,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬ ֵ ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ יָ ֱא‬
‫ וְ ַאל יֶ ְח ַסר לָ נוּ ָמזוֹן‬,‫ ְוּבטוּבוֹ ַהגָּ דוֹל ָתּ ִמיד ל ֹא ָח ַסר לָ נוּ‬.‫נוֹתן לֶ ֶחם לְ כָ ל ָבּ ָשׂר כִּ י לְ עוֹלָ ם ַח ְסדּוֹ‬ֵ
‫וּמכִ ין ָמזוֹן לְ כָ ל‬
ֵ ‫וּמ ִטיב לַ כּל‬ ֵ ‫וּמ ַפ ְרנֵ ס לַ כּל‬
ְ ‫ כִּ י הוּא ֵאל זָ ן‬,‫ ַבּ ֲﬠבוּר ְשׁמוֹ ַהגָּ דוֹל‬,‫לְ עוֹלָ ם וָ ﬠֶ ד‬
.‫ ַהזָּ ן ֶאת ַהכֹּל‬,ָ‫ ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬.‫יּוֹתיו ֲא ֶשׁר ָבּ ָרא‬ָ ‫ְבּ ִר‬
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hazan et ha-olam kulo betuvo, bechein,
bechesed uv-rachamim. Hu notein lechem lechol basar ki leolam chasdo. Uv-tuvo
hagadol tamid lo chasar lanu, ve-al yechsar lanu mazon leolam va-ed, ba-avur shemo
hagadol, ki hu Eil zan um-farneis lakol u-meitiv lakol u-meichin mazon lechol beriyotav
asher bara. Baruch atah Adonai, hazan et hakol.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who, in goodness, provides sustenance for the
entire world with grace, kindness and mercy. With everlasting kindness, God gives food
to all flesh. Because of this great everlasting goodness, we do not lack anything now,
nor will we lack any food forevermore. God’s name is great, for it is God who provides
nourishment and sustenance for all, does good to all, and prepares food for all creation.
Blessed is God, who provides food for all.

26

Page 19
 THE THIRD CUP
Action

The third cup of wine is our call to action.

We commit tonight to standing up, speaking out and protesting acts of hate.
We will fight poverty and inequality around the world.
We will act on our belief that change is possible.

.‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ַהגָּ ֶפן‬

ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei peri hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Question for Discussion:

What is one commitment that you’re making this year to advance justice?

27

Page 20
 HALLEL
Praise

.‫ ָﬠנָ נִ י ַבּ ֶמּ ְר ָחב יָ הּ‬,‫אתי יָּ הּ‬

ִ ‫ִמן ַה ֵמּצַ ר ָק ָר‬
Min hameitzar karati ya, anani bamerchav yah.
From the narrow place I called to God, God answered me with expansiveness.

In each of our lives and in our struggles for justice, there are times when we feel
caught in a “narrow place”—trapped by fear, anger or hopelessness. But rather
than despair, we can praise and be thankful for the moments of expansiveness
and possibility.

Praise for friends and allies who call for justice by our side.

Praise for the incremental victories that have brought protections, rights and civil liberties
to the vulnerable.

Praise for our relentless belief that justice will triumph—and for our will to make it so.

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 CUPS OF ELIJAH AND MIRIAM
Redemption & Sustenance

We fill a cup of wine for Elijah, the prophet who announces that redemption
is on its way. We also add a cup of water for the prophet Miriam, who sustained
the Israelites during their years in the desert by calling forth a flowing well
to quench their thirst. As we work to perfect our world in pursuit of the
redemption promised by Elijah, we turn to Miriam's well for the sustenance
to do this work.

THE FOURTH CUP

Freedom

We fill the final cup of wine and open the door for Elijah. As we turn our gaze
toward the door, let us pray for and work toward true redemption: a time when
all people will live in freedom.

.‫בּוֹרא ְפּ ִרי ַהגָּ ֶפן‬

ֵ ,‫ֹלהינוּ ֶמלֶ ְך ָהעוֹלָ ם‬
ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,ָ‫ָבּרוְּך ַא ָתּה יְ י‬
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei peri hagafen.

Question for Discussion:

What’s one moment you’ve had this past year that felt like a small piece of
redemption? How does that feeling motivate you to work to bring freedom to all?

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NIRTZAH: NEXT YEAR IN A JUST WORLD
The traditional aspiration, “Next Year in Jerusalem,” is our people’s millennia-old hope
for redemption. At AJWS, our yearning takes the form of hope and action for a more
just world.

Join us, this year, in helping achieve…

Freedom from bigotry and oppression

Equality for minorities shunned by prejudice and hatred
Respect for the aspirations and humanity of women and girls
Acceptance for people persecuted for who they are or whom they love
Sustenance for communities living in hunger
Peace in societies torn by war
A safe harbor for refugees and survivors of violence
And the promise of dignity and human rights for all.

Together, with those around this Seder table and with our global family connected by
our collective pursuit of justice, we pray: “Next year in a just world.” And through our
actions from this Passover to the next, let us make this dream a reality.

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