Dedication

The evolution of this Haggaddah owes much to those who prepared earlier versions of the I.L. Peretz A.R. School and the Community Jewish School Haggaddah. Much of what appears here is reproduced from or inspired by these earlier efforts. The following people are to be thanked and remembered for these earlier efforts: Paula Antebi, Sandy Corbin, Bev Davidson, Ruth Edenbaum, Miriam Habib, Steve Harris, Fredda Hepner, Larry Karen, Irene and Julius Knapp, Ruth Miller, Merris Sigalowsky, Joseph and Roslyn Westheimer. This edition was developed in 1993 under the direction of Myrna Frank and Ira Mintz. It owes recognition to the Haggaddah of the Green family from Highland Park and the Humanist Haggaddah of the Society for Humanistic Judaism.

The order of the seder can be changed and no two ceremonies are exactly alike. The tradition of our school is also to encourage reevaluation to reflect the changing times and composition of the group. The changes in this Haggaddah are reflective of the current membership, and we trust that future editions will continue to evolve in response to the needs of this community.

Pesach Seder Committee 5753

Marcia Hoffman, Lisa Bennett, Myrna Frank, Nina Goldman, Ira Mintz, Lucilly Saffner

The Seder Table

The Seder table should be arranged as attractively as possible. It is traditional to decorate the table with spring flowers, embroidered matzah covers, candles and a Seder plate. The traditional Seder table includes these symbolic objects:

The Seder plate, a large platter upon which are placed these symbols:

seder plate

Three matzahs, placed separately in the sections of an embroidered matzah cover, or in the folds of a large napkin. The matzahs should be placed on or next to the Seder plate.

A wine goblet at each place setting. Four cups of wine are drunk at the Seder to symbolize the fourfold promise of freedom for the Jewish people.

One or more dishes of salt water, into which the green herb will be dipped when it is eaten as a symbol of the bitterness of slavery.

The cup of Elijah, a large goblet filled with wine at the center of the table. This cup remains filled and is left untouched.

A cushioned armchair or pillow for each person at the table, as a symbol of the leisure with which free people may eat.

The Order of the Seder

Preparation

Introduction

Leader

Welcome to our Passover Seder. This Haggadah challenges us to connect with our history and to act. The holiday reminds us of the wonderous liberation of the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. Let us celebrate our freedom and strengthen ourselves to join the fight against injustice wherever it exists today. For as long as one person is oppressed, none of us are free.

Reader

The first Pesach was celebrated 3,000 years ago when the people of Israel liberated themselves from the Egyptian slavemasters and began their march towards freedom. The great event of the Exodus converted the Jews from a group of enslaved tribes into a nation. It should make us think about the power of a decision by a people to struggle for nationhood and self-determination. We honor all people who have struggled or are struggling for their freedom as we share the aspirations of our liberated ancestors. We support those who struggle for the day when all people will enjoy peace, freedom, justice and liberty.

The word “Seder” means order and “Haggadah” means the telling. It is said, “Whoever enlarges up the telling of exodus from Egypt those persons are praiseworthy.”

All Assembled Sing

Leader

We begin with a traditional lighting of the candles and the kiddush

Reader

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ, בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצוָּנוּ, לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל [שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל] יוֹם טוֹב.

Baruch atah adonai eloheynu melech ha’olam asher kidishanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel hom tov.

Blessed art Thou, our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has commanded us to light the holiday candles.

Reader

We have dedicated our seder today to the dream and the hope of freedom, the dream and the hope that have inspired our people from the time our Jewish ancestors went forth out of Egypt. To make this dream come true, people have suffered and nations have struggled throughout all history. Pesach cries out, “Let my people go!” Pesach summons us to Freedom.

The circular seder plate, the cycle of the seasons; Passover brings us together as families, as friends, as part of the Jewish community. Through our sharing this tradition we form a bond. And by retelling the tale of Exodus, we reaffirm the value of freedom from one generation to another.

Kiddush

Leader

It is customary at the Seder to drink four cups of wine. In our community each cup is a toast: To Liberation; To Freedom; To Peace; and To The Next Year.

When participants at the Seder drink four cups of wine, it helps make the celebration of Passover joyous, as it should be at a Seder. Let us fill our first cup of wine, raise them and say together:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Leader

A long time ago, Rabbi Akiva used the seder to plan a revolutionary struggle against the Romans who enslaved the Jews. During World War II, when Hitler was in power, the Jews of the Warsaw ghetto used the seder to give them strength to fight against the Nazis. Jews have often applied the message of the struggle against the Pharaoh to their current struggles for freedom. We do the same today as we celebrate our freedom while thinking about the continuing need for all people to struggle for freedom throughout the world.

Reader

We are gathered here to affirm our link with those Jews before us who have kept alive the vision of freedom inherent in the Passover story. We proudly affirm that we are the descendants of slaves who waged a successful rebellion against their slave-holders. Our national liberation struggle has served as an inspiration to the many struggles that other nations have waged against those who oppress them.

Ma Nishtanah — The Four Questions

Leader

Now our young students will ask the four questions about the nature of Passover. The remainder of the ceremony before we eat is devoted to the answer.

Children

Mah nishtanah halailah hazeh mikol haleilot?מַה־נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל־הַלֵּילוֹת?
Sheb’chol haleilot anu ochlin chametz umatzah, halailah hazeh, kuloh matzah.שֶׁבְּכָל־הַלֵּילוֹת, אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה; הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה, כֻּלּוֹ מַצָּה.
Sheb’chol haleilot anu ochlin sh’ar y’rakot, halailah hazeh, maror.שֶׁבְּכָל־הַלֵּילוֹת, אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת; הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה, מָרוֹר.
Sheb’chol haleilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa’am echat; halailah hazeh, sh’tei f’amim.שֶׁבְּכָל־הַלֵּילוֹת, אֵין אָֽנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִֽלּוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת; הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה, שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים.
Sheb’chol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin; halailah hazeh, kulanu m’subin.שֶׁבְּכָל־הַלֵּילוֹת, אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין; הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה, כֻּלָּֽנוּ מְסֻבִּין.

How is this night different from all other nights?

  1. On all other nights, we eat chametz (leavened foods) and matzah. Why on this night, only matzah?
  2. On all other nights, we eat all vegetables. Why, on this night, maror (bitter herbs)?
  3. On all other nights, we don’t dip even once. Why on this night do we dip twice?
  4. On all other nights, we eat either sitting upright or reclining. Why on this night do we all recline?

Magid Telling the story

Avadim Ha-inu - We Were Slaves

Leader

The traditional answer is as follows:

Reader

This means:

In every generation, we must believe that we, ourselves, have been liberated from slavery. And on this day of each year we let the story of Passover be told and passed on to all who follow us. Three thousand years ago we were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and had we not then struggled for our freedom, then we, and our children, and our children’s children would still have been slaves of Pharoah in Egypt. Though, even if all of us were wise, all of us understanding, all of us aged, all of us learned, it nevertheless would be incumbent upon us to speak of the departure from Egypt; and whoever adds to this story of liberation are accounted praiseworthy.

Reader

These four questions are important questions. But before answering them, let us tell the story of Jewish hope.

Our ancestors lived in the land of Israel. But their children have wandered the earth to look for freedom and dignity. Our roots are in the land of Israel but our branches travel all over the globe.

Some of our ancestors traveled to Egypt. It was a time of famine and they were hungry. The king of Egypt welcomed them and gave them food and shelter. In later years, an unfriendly king became the Pharaoh of Egypt. He made them slaves and made them work very hard. But they resisted despair. Choosing hope, they left Egypt. They returned to Israel and created a free nation. Passover celebrates their will to live.

The search for freedom is also the wil to live. The exodus from Egypt is one of many victories. In every century we have chosen to survive. Passover celebrates this will to survive which unites our past with our present, and our present with our future.

Leader

Let us now answer the first question: Why do we eat only matzah on Pesach?

Reader

When Pharaoh let our ancestors go from Egypt, they were forced to leave very quickly. They had prepared dough for bread to take with them on their journey, but the Egyptians wanted them to hurry out of the land. So our ancestors snatched up the unbaked dough and fled. Since they could not stop long enough to allow the dough to rise, they made thin cakes from it and baked them on stones in the hot sun. This flat unleavened bread was called matzah.

Reader

Matzah at the seder is also a symbol of the hope for freedom for all oppressed Jews. With our matzah we add our voices to those of individuals and groups everywhere crying for liberation from poverty and oppression.

Leader

Let us now answer the second question: Why do we eat herbs on Pesach?

Reader

The herbs, maror, remind us that when our people were slaves in Egypt, their lives were hard and made bitter. We, as Jews, must taste the bitterness of slavery wherever it remains.

Leader

Let us now answer the third question: Why do we dip the herbs twice on Pesach?

Reader

We dip the greens or herbs in salt water lo recall the tears shed by the Jews in bondage. We also dip the herbs in the sweet charoset as a sign of hope; our ancestors were able to withstand the bitterness of slavery because it was sweetened by the hope of freedom.

Leader

And now let us answer the last question: Why do we recline or lie back at the table?

Reader

Reclining was a sign of free people in ancient times. We recline symbolically at the table by eating slowly and comfortably, because we were freed on Pesach.

Matzah

Leader

This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt; let all those who are hungry, enter and eat thereof; and all who are in distress, come and celebrate Passover.

Traditionally, this is understood to mean not only literally feeding the hungry, but offering spiritual sustenance to those in need. Both must go hand in hand. We live in asociety of unprecedented wealth vet w e turn our backs on the hungry. Political leaders are unwilling to champion any program to seriously end world hunger and homelessness. Let all who are in want share the hope of Passover with us. As long as there is slavery, poverty and hunger in the world, our Passover cannot fulfill our ideal of freedom.

All Assembled

This year slavery — next year freedom.

[Fill cup but do not drink]

Reader

The matzah that we eat on Passover is a reminder of the hurry in which the children of Israel left Egypt.

[Pieces of matzah are eaten]

Yachatz

Now I break the middle matzah of the three here under the special cover. I will hide the larger piece as the afikomen. Later in the meal, after it has been found, we will share in its eating for our dessert.

The word, afikomen, comes from the Greek, epikomion, which meant a festival procession, and came to mean the dessert at the end of the meal. Our festival cannot end until we share the afikomen. Among people everywhere, sharing a bread forms a bond of friendship. This is reflected in our word, companion, which means, literally, one who eats bread with another.

Why do we have three pieces of matzah? Perhaps they represent the Cohanim, the Levites and the Israelites; maybe they represent the three patriarchs: Abraham, isaac and Jacob. In any event, we hide the larger, not the smaller piece because more of life is hidden than is seen. We are still learning what makes us whole.

Carpas

Leader

We have before us a symbol of spring — the carpas, a green vegelable. [Hold up carpas]. We dip carpas into salt water to remind us of the tears of those who know slavery. Like this ritual, much of life combines the sweetness of fresh, spring vegetables with the bitterness of tears. We all know that life is both success and failure, both joy and sorrow.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’adamah.

Blessed are You, Lord, our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.

[Everyone dips and eats carpas in salt water]

Maror

Reader

We eat bitter herbs to remind us of the bitterness and terribleness of slavery.

[Taste the bitter herbs]

Reader

Why do we eat charoset?

Charoset is a mixture of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine. It looks like the bricks which according to legend, our ancestors made for the king of Egypt. Many see it as a sign of the slavery our ancestors refused to accept when they fled Egypt. It is also a sign of the joy of freedom. Just as the parsley is dipped in salt water to sharpen its flavor, so do we dip the unleavened bread or the bitter herb into the charoset to sweeten our taste. In this season of life, we must remember the goodness of life.

Korech

Reader

We eat what is called the Hillel sandwich of matzah and maror as a tribute to the great Rabbi Hillel. He insisted that they be eaten together to fulfill the biblical order that “with bitter herbs shall they eat it.”

Leader

Let us all make a korech or sandwich, like Rabbi Hillel, by putting some horseradish on our matzah.

Reader

The wisdom of Hillel reflects many basic Jewish values and we can remember some today.

Reader

Love peace and pursue peace.

Reader

Be a part of the community.

Reader

Do not judge anyone until you have stood in their place.

Reader

If I am not for myself, who will be?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when?

Leader

Now let us look at the Passover plate. We see before us more symbols of Passover. As we describe these, we ask that one person at each table pick up the symbol to show to the others.

Reader

The Paschal lamb, symbolized by the shankbone on the seder plate, reminds us of the annual spring sacrifice practiced by our ancestors in the days before the destruction of the Temple. It is also a symbol that reminds us that, during the tenth plague, when the first born sons were killed, the houses of the Israelites were passed over and the first born were spared.

Reader

As we are reminded of how the first-born sons of the Jews were saved, we should recall the daily sufferings of children around the world. We call out for their liberation from fear, hunger and suffering.

Reader

Why the egg? Each of us begins as an egg and grows into womanhood or manhood. The egg is our potential — what we can be. Birth is only the beginning. Human life needs warmth and love and security. It needs the encouragement of family and community.

Reader

In the Bible, olive trees represent wealth and success because they provide both oil and food. The olive branch is a symbol of peace and is incorporated into the official seal of the state of Israel. We place four olives on our Seder plate to stress our desire for peace as well as freedom in our homes, in our community, in Israel and in our world.

Leader

Now let us eat the egg dipped in salt water.

The Parable of the Four Children

Leader

Ancient Rabbis, concerned that all children understand the meaning Pesach, taught about the Four Children: The wise child, the wicked child, the confused child, and the child who does not know what to ask.

What says the wise child?

Reader

”What is the meaning of all the laws and customs which we observe? What do they mean and what is their origin?” This child is eager to learn. We can help the child understand the meaning of Pesach as a festival of freedom throughout history.

Leader

What does the wicked child ask?

Reader

”What mean you by this service?” By the word “you”, it is clear this child does not include themselves, and has withdrawn from the community; it is therefore proper to retort upon them by saying: “This is done, because of what the Eternal did for me, when I went forth from Egypt;” for me and not for them; for had they been there, this child would not have been thought worthy to be redeemed.

Leader

What does thie confused child ask?

Reader

”What is this all about?”

We should tell this child that the constant struggles of our people have taught us to fight oppression, seek truth, and cherish freedom.

Leader

And what of the child who does not know what to ask?

Reader

We should patiently tell this child the story of Pesach and the meaning of the symbols so that the child becomes a part of the never-ending story. Next vear they will know what to ask and how to answer.

Story of Pesach

Leader

Let us now tell the Story of Pesach

Reader

The story begins with Sarah and Abraham, the first Jews. They settled in the land of Canaan and raised a family. Many years later there was a great drought in the land which left the people starving. During this time there was food in Egypt, because Joseph, Abraham’s great grandson, had helped the Pharaoh prevent starvation by teaching the Egyptians how to store grain.

Centuries later, the Jews were caught in a conflict between two warring Egyptian tribes. The Pharaoh was afraid that the Jews, being different would not be loyal to him. He took away their belongings; he took away their rights; he made them slaves.

Reader

Pharaoh, threatened by an increasing Jewish population and a possible slave uprising, ordered all first-born Jewish boys to be drowned in the River Nile. One courageous young woman, Yocheved, did not listen to Pharaoh. She hid her baby boy for three months, and when she could no longer hide him, she put the baby in a basket which she placed in a thicket of weeds along the Nile. This was not far from the bathing place of the Pharaoh’s daughter who soon discovered him, just as Yochevedh a d planned. He was given the name, Moses, (in Hebrew this is Moshe) and raised as an Egyptian prince.

Reader

Moses was unhappy when he saw the slaves being beaten and unjustly treated. When he defended one of the Jews against a slave master, Moses was forced to leave the country. He lived away from his home for many years. According to the Biblical story, it is written that an angel appeared before Moses in a burning bush and God then commanded him to return to Egypt to help his people. Moses went back to Egypt to persuade the Jews to demand their freedom. Many at first were unsure and afraid, but Moses convinced them of the justice of their cause, and they agreed to follow his plan to gain freedom.

Reader

To persuade the Pharaoh to let the slaves go, Moses warned him that plagues would befall the Egyptians. It was only after the ten plagues that the Pharaoh agreed to free the Jews. As we recite the names of the plagues, we remove a drop of wine from our glasses for each plague. This practice reminds us not to be happy when our enemies suffer.

Reader

After freeing the Jews, Pharaoh changed his mind. He ordered his army to chase the Jews and to force them to return to Egypt. According to the Biblical story, the waters of the Red Sea parted to allow our ancestors to cross. As they reached the Sinai Peninsula on the other side, they looked back and were amazed to see the Pharaoh’s army drowning as the waters closed over them.

Reader

Our people, grateful for their fortunate escape, said “Dayenu”, meaning “It would have been enough”. Had we been freed from the Egyptians and the Red Sea not parted, Dayenu. Had the Red Sea parted, and we not remained dry, Dayenu. Had we remained dry and not made it through the desert, Dayenu.

Leader

Let us all sing together:

Reader

Because our world today is filled with too many terribly unfair things, we can express the idea of Dayenu in another way:

If we fight sexism, racism, homophobia, and injustice where we live, work, and study. Dayenu

If Eve had been created in the image of God and not as helper to Adam, it would have sufficed. Dayenu

If we break the silence that perpetuates violence against women and children. Dayenu

If we care for the Earth and its future as responsibly as we care for those we love. Dayenu

If we honor our visions more than our fears. Dayenu

If we speak truthfully about the pain, joys, and contradictions of our lives. Dayenu

If we listen to others with sensitivity and compassion. Dayenu

If al people live freely in their own countries, practicing their beliefs and cultures without interference or persecution. Dayenu

If all children grow up in freedom, without hunger, and with love and support needed to realize their full potential. Davenu

If all men and women are allowed to make their own decisions on matters regarding their own bodies and their personal relationships without discrimination or legal consequences. Dayenu

If there were no more violence, torture, and war. Dayenu

If we realize our collective power to effect change. Dayenu

Leader

Many writers consider the following passage to be the essence of the Passover Seder:

Reader

Bechol dor vador chayav adam lirot et atzmo ca-ilu hoo yatza mimitsrayim

Leader

Let us all read together the translation of this passage.

All Assembled

Every person in every generation should try to imagine themselves as though personally freed from slavery. On this day, many years ago our ancestors heeded the call of freedom and left Egypt. Today that call rings out again all over the world, urging us to champion the cause of those who are downtrodden and oppressed, summoning us to strengthen our efforts for peace and freedom throughout the world. Above all, we must keep our compassion alive by identifying with the oppressed and imagining that we have just been freed ourselves.

Eliyahu Hanavi — Elijah the Prophet

Leader

The prophet Eliah was known in his day for helping the poor, h e sick and the friendless. Here is the special cup, the cup of Elijah, or Eliyahu. This cup represents the ideal of a better tomorrow.

A Cup for Miriam

Miriam, the sister of Moses was a leader in her time. It was she, who while playing her tambourine, led the Jews across the Red Sea. We leave a cup to honor Miriam and to acknowledge her important role in the story of the Exodus.

All Sing

Reader

Throughout our history, we have had to face repeated threats to our survival. Despite persecution, pogroms, enslavement, expulsions, forced conversions, and countless inhumanities, we are here. “In every generation” or “Bechol dor va dor” is more than a ceremonial phrase; it is our history. Let us never forget those who fought, those who resisted, those who suffered and all those who kept our peoplehood alive and brought us to this moment.

Reader

In the Jewish community, it has become customary to commemorate the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising as a symbol of Jewish resistance in the Nazi period. It is a celebration without victory. Heroism cannot be measured only by its ultimate achievements. There was no hope for the Jewish underground movement. Is only objective was to die with honor. Jewish resistance was a decision by a handful of men and women to take up an unequal struggle against the most powerful and ruthless force of their time. It is this decision and determination that we celebrate and revere.

Leader

Let us rise and stand in memory of the six million, a memory which shall remain evermore in our hearts.

Third Cup of Wine: To Peace

Reader

We drink the third cup that we and our children and our children’s children may be granted peace.

[Drink third cup of wine and be seated]

The Meal

Fourth Cup of Wine: To the Next Year

”Next year in Jerusalem” is a way of expressing solidarity with the entire Jewish community, past, present and future. “Next year” encapsulates that continuing flicker of hope that has sustained Jews for centuries past in the midst of despair.

The words “next year” suggest a sense of being on the cusp but not yet having arrived, of possibility that is ripe and alive with implication. The miracles of creation and the exodus from Egypt point to the potential for revolutionary change–that things don’t have to be the way they are, that oppressive regimes can change.