Haggadah for Pesach

Celebrating Pesach - A Haggadah

A Haggadah for the Celebration

of Passover

prepared by

Rabbi Lewis John Eron, Ph.D.

1229 Liberty Bell Drive

Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08003

Passover 2022 /5782

Introduction

Every year Jews all over the world gather with family and friends to celebrate Pesach, our festival of freedom, with a festive meal known as the Seder. Pesach is a holiday full of memories and dreams, those we share with Jews everywhere and those that are ours alone.

As a people, we remember the great events at the time we went forth out of Egyptian bondage as it is related in our Torah and as it has been retold in every generation, and as a people, we dream of a time when all people shall be delivered from oppression and all people shall live together in peace.

As individuals, we bring to the Seder our own memories and hopes. We remember the great events of our times and the meaningful moments in our lives and know that our retelling of the Passover story reflects all that we have learned from our own life experience. We remember Seders we attended in the past with family and friends. We are thankful for the memories we have and we know that each year as we gather for the Passover celebration we are creating new memories for ourselves as well as for the generations that will follow us.

As we give thanks to God for all the blessings we have received, we also pray that life will be good to us, our families, and to everyone. We end each Seder with the dream that next year we will be able to celebrate our festival of freedom in Jerusalem renewed as the city of shalom, of peace, in a world of peace.

The steps of the Seder

1 Kadeish - קַדֵּשׁ

2 Ur’chatz - וּרְחַץ

3 Karpas - כַּרְפַּס

4 Yachatz - יַחַץ

5 Magid - מַגִּיד

6 Rachtzah - רָחְצָה

7 Motzi Matza - מוֹצִיא מַצָּה

8 Maror - מָרוֹר

9 Koreich - כּוֹרֵךְ

10 Shulchan Oreich - שֻׁלְחָן עוֹרֵךְ

11Tzafun - צָפוּן

12 Bareich - בָּרֵךְ

13 Haleil - הַלֵּל

14 Nirtzah - נִרְצָה

There’s no Seder like our Seder

(To the tune of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”)

There’s no Seder like our Seder,

There’s no Seder I know.

Everything about it is halachic,

Nothing that the Torah won’t allow.

Listen how we read the whole Haggadah

It’s all in Hebrew

‘Cause we know how.

There’s no Seder like our Seder,

We tell a tale that is swell:

Moses took the people out into the heat

They baked the matza

While on their feet.

Now isn’t that a story

That just can’t be beat?

Let’s go on with the show!

We Light the Festival Candles

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל (שַׁבָּת וְ)יוֹם טוֹב.

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav

v’tzivanu l’hadlik neir shel (On Friday night add: Shabbat v)Yom Tov.

We thank and praise you, Light of the World, Ruler of All There Is, who has shown us how to live lives of holiness through Your mitzvot, Your commandments, and has given us the mitzvah to light the (Shabbat and) festival lights.

קַדֵּשׁ I - Kadeish

We Sanctify the Wine with Kiddush

Behold this cup of wine! Let it be a symbol of our joy this day as we celebrate the Festival of Passover. Let us raise our cups to give thanks to God. We thank God for the flame of freedom that still burns in the hearts of all people. Let us pray that the time comes soon when all people throughout the world will be liberated from cruelty, tyranny, oppression, hunger, and war.

For Erev Shabbat

וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי, וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל-צְבָאָם: וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, וַיִשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם השְּׁבִיעִי, מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה: וַיְבָרֵךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ, אֲשֶׁר-בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לעֲשׂוֹת:

It was evening and it was morning, the sixth day. The heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. So by the seventh day, God had finished the creative work that God had set out to do. God rested on the seventh day from all the work in which God had been engaged. God then blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because on it God rested from all the creative work that God set out to do.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

We praise and thank You Source of Life, Ruler of all the World,

who has created the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל-עָם, וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל־לָשׁוֹן, וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וַתִּתֶּן־לָנוּ יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה (שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה וּ)מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן אֶת־יוֹם (הַשַּׁבָּת הַזֶה וְאֶת־יוֹם) חַג הַמַּצוֹת הַזֶּה. זְמַן חֵרוּתֵֽנוּ, (בְּאַהֲבָה,) מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol-am, v’rom’manu mikol-lashon, v’kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, vatiten-lanu Adonai Eloheinu b’ahavah (On Friday night add: shabatot limnuchah u)moadim l’simchah, chagim uz’manim l’sason et-yom (On Friday night add: hashabat hazeh v’et-yom) chag hamatzot hazeh. Z’man cheiruteinu, (On Friday night: b’ahavah,) mikra kodesh, zeicher litzi-at mitzrayim.

כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מכָּל-הָעַמִים. (וְשַׁבָּת) וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶֽׁךָ (בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן) בְּשִׂמְחָה ובְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ: בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַׁבָּת וְ)יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

Ki vanu vacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol-ha-amim. (On Friday night add: v’shabat) umo’adei kod’shecha (On Friday night add: b’ahavah uv’ratzon) b’simchah uv’sason hinchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai, m’kadeish (Friday night add: hashabat v’) yisra-eil v’hazmanim.

We praise and bless You, Our Eternal God, Ruler of the World, who has established a unique relationship with us and has sanctified us with Your mitzvot, commandments. You, Eternal One, our God, have lovingly given us (Sabbaths for rest, and) festive times and holidays such as (this Sabbath day, and) this Feast of Matzot, our season of freedom, for days of happiness and seasons for joy. Today is a sacred gathering to recall the Exodus from Egypt. You entered into a special relationship with us and directed us to follow unique paths of holiness different from those of all other peoples. In Your gracious love, You gave us Your (holy Sabbath, and) holidays for happiness and joy. We praise and bless You, Dear God, who sanctifies (the Sabbath,) Israel, and the festivals.

Havdalah for Saturday Night

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחֹל בֵּין אוֹר לחֹשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. בּין קְדֻּשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לִקְדֻשַּׁת יוֹם טוֹב הִבְדַּלְתָּ. וְאֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה קִדַּשְתָּ. הִבְדַּלְתָּ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת־עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בּקְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְקֹדֶשׁ:

We praise and bless You, Eternal One, our God, Ruler of All, who creates the light of the fire.

We praise and bless You, Eternal One, our God, Ruler of All, who distinguishes between the sacred and the secular, between light and darkness, between Israel and the other nations, between the seventh day and the six working days. You have made a distinction between the holiness of the Sabbath and the holiness of the Festivals, and have sanctified the seventh day above the six working days. You have distinguished and sanctified Your people Israel with Your holiness. We praise and bless You, Eternal One, our God, who distinguishes between the degrees of holiness.

Shehecheyanu

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v’ki’manu v’higi-anu laz’man hazeh.

We praise and bless You, Eternal One, our God, Ruler of All, who has granted us life and sustenance and permitted us to reach this season.

II - Ur’chatz וּרְחַץ

Before eating the green vegetable, we wash our hands. The blessing is not recited when washing the hands.

III - Karpas כַּרְפַּס

We Eat the Green Vegetable

This green parsley is a symbol of the coming of spring. Let us each take a piece in our hand.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה:

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

We praise and thank You Source of Life, Ruler of all the world,

who creates the fruit of the earth.

IV - Yachatz יַחַץ

We Divide the Matza

(The Leader of the Seder breaks the middle Matza, leaving one half on the Seder dish and hiding the other half as the Afikomen.)

V - Magid מַגִּיד

We Retell the Story of the Exodus

הָא לַחְמָא עַנְיָא דִּי אֲכָֽלוּ אַבְהָתָֽנָא בְּאַרְעָא דְמִצְרָֽיִם. כָּל דִּכְפִין יֵיתֵי וְיֵכוֹל, כָּל דִּצְרִיךְ יֵיתֵי וְיִפְסַח. הָשַּׁתָּא הָכָא, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. הָשַּׁתָּא עַבְדֵי, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּנֵי חוֹרִין:

Ha lachma anya di achalu avhatana b’ara d’mitzrayim. Kol dichfin yeitei v’yeichol, kol ditzrich yeitei v’yifsach. Hashata hacha, l’shanah haba-ah b’ara d’yisra-eil. Hashata avdei, l’shanah haba-ah b’nei chorin.

Behold this matza! This is the simple bread our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let it remind us of other people who are hungry and in need. Today let them come and join us at this Seder and tomorrow, let us go out from this Seder and help them. Today, we are here; next year may we be in the land of Israel. Today we may feel enslaved; next year may we be free.

The Four Questions

מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת?

Mah nishtanah ha-laylah hazeh mikol ha-leilot?

-1-

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה. הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלּוֹ מַצָּה:

\Sheb’chol ha-leilot anu och’lin chameitz umatzah. Ha-laylah hazeh kulo matzah.

-2-

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר:

Sheb’chol ha-leilot anu och’lin sh’ar y’rakot. Ha-laylah hazeh maror.

-3-

בְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָֽנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּֽעַם אֶחָת. הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה שׁתֵּי פְעָמִים:

Sheb’chol ha-leilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat. Ha-laylah hazeh sh’tei f’amim.

-4-

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין. הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּֽנוּ מסֻבִּין:

4. Sheb’chol ha-leilot anu och’lin bein yosh’vin uvein m’subin. Ha-laylah hazeh kulanu m’subin.

Why is this night different from all other nights?

1. On all other nights, at every meal, we have either leavened bread or unleavened bread, matza. Why on this night do we have only matza?

Our ancestors fled from Egypt in great haste. They had no time to bake their dough in ovens. The hot sun baked it into flat, unleavened bread that we call matza. To remember this, we eat matza on Passover.

2. On all other nights we can eat all kinds of vegetables. Why on this night do we eat bitter herbs?

Our ancestors led bitter lives as slaves in Egypt. So as not to forget their suffering and the sufferings of all enslaved people, we eat bitter herbs on Passover.

3. On all other nights we do not dip one food into another. Why on this night do we dip parsley in saltwater and bitter herbs in charoset?

The parsley reminds us of the greens that come to life in the springtime, which we now observe in freedom. We dip the parsley in saltwater to remember the tears shed by our ancestors when they were slaves. We dip the bitter herbs in the sweet charoset as a sign of hope. Our ancestors survived the bitterness of slavery because it was sweetened by their hope of freedom.

4. On all other nights we eat quickly or slowly. Why on this night do we recline and linger over our meal?

In ancient times, reclining at the table was the sign of a free person. We recline at the Seder to remember that on Passover, over 3,000 years ago, our ancestors became free.

עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ לְפַרְעֹה בְּמִצְרָיִם,

וְעַתָּה בְּנֵי חוֹרִין.

Avadim hayinu l’faroh b’mitzrayim

v’ata benei chorin.

We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt but the Eternal God brought us out of Egypt so that today we are free.

This night is different from all other nights of the year because we retell the story of Passover. Even though we know the story well and have told it many times, the Torah commands us to teach our children about Passover. In this way, every generation can share the hopes and fears of our ancestors as they were liberated from bondage and began a new life as a free people

Had God but taken us out of Egypt and done nothing more, we would have reason to be ever grateful. But as we know, God did much more: God led our people safely through the desert, God gave them the Torah, and God brought them to the Promised Land. Therefore, we tell and retell the story of liberation from generation to generation, expanding it through our wisdom, insight, and our own life experiences.

The Seder in B’nei Brak

Some nineteen hundred years ago Rabbis Eliezer, Joshua, Elazar ben Azaryah, Akiva, and Tarfon were holding a Seder in B’nei Brak. They spent the whole night discussing the Exodus until their students came and said to them: “Rabbis, it is time for the morning recitation of the Shema.”

Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah said, “I’m a seventy-year-old man and I had not been able to understand why one discusses the Exodus from Egypt in the night until Ben Zoma provided an explanation based on the verse ‘In order that you may remember the day you left Egypt all the days of your life.’ (Deuteronomy 16:3). Ben Zoma taught that if the verse said, ‘the days of your life’, one might think that it meant only the day-time, therefore the Torah uses the expression ‘all the days of your life’ to indicate that the nights are meant as well.” However other scholars said that the expression “the days of your life” means the present world but “all the days” includes the messianic era.

The Four Children

Torah speaks of four different children–one wise, one wicked, one simple, and one unable to ask a question–with whom we are to share the meaning of the celebration of Passover. As we consider each child, we learn that each one brings a precious gift.

We love teaching the Wise Child who wishes to know everything about the celebration of Pesach. This child seems to us to be like a sponge, willing to soak up and retain whatever we teach her. But this child could too easily become lost in the details of the celebration and no longer focus on Pesach’s deeper meaning.

The Wicked Child challenges us by asking, “What does this holiday mean to you?” “To us and not to you!” we might answer and dismiss him as if he has rejected us and his heritage. But his question is essential. We need to know what this holiday means to us and be able to share this with our children. Pesach is much more than a collection of inherited customs, rites, and rituals.

The Simple Child just wants to know the basic facts and practices. She reminds us that sometimes we can feel overwhelmed by Pesach – cleaning the house, making the kitchen kosher, shopping and cooking for the Seder meal, planning the Seder ritual. There is so much to do and the Simple Child reminds us to slow down and take it easy. She tells us that we do not have to be perfect to fully enjoy our holiday.

We may have to lead the Child who Cannot Ask a Question by the hand and explain to him exactly what is happening. This may be his first experience with the Seder. But the Child who Cannot Ask a Question may be silent not because of inexperience but because he senses the overwhelming mystery of the Exodus, of Liberation, of Freedom, and of the Divine power that enables us to be free. This Child reminds us of the overwhelming awesomeness of this day and asks us to move beyond doing and speaking to enter a place of silence and awe.

This Pesach, may we be blessed to learn new lessons from all our children.

The Ballad of the Four Children

(To the tune of “My Darling Clementine”)

(by Ben Aronin, revised by William Sharlin, Sandy Bogin, Carol Levy, Elizabeth Levy, and Lisa Rauchwerger)

Said the parents to their children,

“From your bondage you’ll cut loose.

You will eat your fill of matza,

You will drink four cups of juice.

Now these parents had four children

Yes, their kids they numbered four,

One was wise and one was wicked,

One was simple and a bore.

And the fourth was sweet and winsome,

Was so young and also small,

While the others asked the questions,

This one could not speak at all.

Said the wise one to the parents,

“Would you please explain the laws

Of the customs of the Seder,

Will you please explain the cause?”

And the parents proudly answered,

“Cause our forbearers ate in speed,

Ate the Pesach lamb ‘ere midnight,

And from slavery were freed.”

“So we follow their example,

And ‘ere midnight we must eat,

The afikomen (oh so tasty!),

which will be our final treat.”

Then did sneer the child so wicked,

“What does all this mean to you?”

And the parent’s voice was bitter

As their grief and anger grew.

‘If yourself you don’t consider

As a child of Israel

Then for you this has no meaning,

You could be a slave as well.”

Then the simple child said simply,

“What is this?” and quietly.

The good parents told their offspring,

“We were freed from slavery.”

But the youngest child was silent,

And just could not speak at all.

But with eyes all bright with wonder,

Listened to the details all.

Now dear children, heed this lesson,

And remember evermore,

What the parents told their children,

Told their kids that numbered four.

Pesach does not only commemorate the Exodus from Egypt but also celebrates the arrival of the spring in the land of Israel. At this time of the year in Biblical times, our ancestors began to bring the offerings of their first produce to the Temple in Jerusalem. As they presented their basket of newly harvested produce to the priests, they would recite this passage preserved for us in the Book of Deuteronomy,

“My forefather was a fugitive Aramean. He went down to Egypt with meager numbers and sojourned there, but there he became a great and very populous nation. The Egyptians dealt harshly with us and oppressed us; they imposed heavy labor upon us. We cried to the Eternal, the God of our ancestors, and the Eternal heard our plea and saw our plight, our misery, and our oppression. The Eternal freed us from Egypt by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm and awesome power, and by signs and portents. God brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Wherefore I now bring the first fruits of the soil, which You, Eternal One, have given me.” (Deuteronomy 26:5-10)

The traditional text of the Haggadah presents an extended exposition of this passage concluding with a listing of the Ten Plagues. In it we read:

The Eternal freed us from Egypt - Not an angel, not a seraph, not a messenger, but the Holy Blessed One alone, as it is written: “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night; I will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt from man unto beast; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments; I am the Eternal.” (Exodus 12:12)

by a mighty hand–cattle disease (Exodus 9:3)

by an outstretched arm–God’s punishing sword (1 Chronicles 21:16)

and awesome power–the revelation of God’s presence (Deuteronomy 4:34)

and by signs–the miracles performed with the staff of Moses (Exodus 4:17)

and portents–blood, the first of the Ten Plagues (Joel 3:3)

And another way to interpret the verse is to add up the words: “Mighty Hand” - two; “Outstretched Arm”–two; “Awesome Power”–two; “Signs”–two; “Portents”– two. The total of ten refers to the ten awesome and dreadful plagues God brought upon the Egyptians in the land of Egypt.

We are thankful that God set our people free, but saddened that our freedom came at the expense of other people’s lives, so we spill a drop of wine from our cups as we recall each plague:

The Ten Plagues

I Blood - Dam - דָּם

II Frogs - Tz’fardaya - צְפַרְדֵּֽעַ

III Lice - Kineem - כִּנִּים

IVBeasts - Arov - עָרוֹב

V Cattle Plague - Dever - דֶּֽבֶר

VI Boils - Shecheen - שְׁחִין

VII Hail - Barad - בָּרָד

VIII Locusts - Arbeh - אַרְבֶּה

IX Darkness - Choshech - חֹֽשֶׁךְ

X Death of the First Born - Makat Bechorot - מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת

Our ancestors left Egypt so fast after the tenth plague that they did not even have time to let their bread rise. By the time they came to the Red Sea, Pharaoh had changed his mind and sent his army after them. Once again God saved our ancestors. God split the Red Sea and our people crossed over on the dry seabed. When the Egyptian army followed them into the sea, God caused the waters to return and Pharaoh’s army drowned.

Thousands of years later, right here in America, when the African Americans were slaves, they read our Bible and remembered Moses and how he begged Pharaoh to let our ancestors be free. They sang a song about that story because it expressed their hope to be free as well. Let us sing that song together.

When Israel was in Egypt’s land, let my people go.

Oppressed so hard they could not stand, let my people go

Go down Moses, way down in Egypt’s land.

Tell ol’ Pharaoh to let my people go.

“Thus saith the Lord,” bold Moses said,

“Let my people go!”

“If not, I’ll smite your firstborn dead. Let my people go!”

Go down Moses, way down in Egypt’s land.

Tell ol’ Pharaoh to let my people go.

The Lord told Moses what to do, let my people go.

To lead the children of Israel through, let my people go.

Go down Moses, way down in Egypt’s land.

Tell ol’ Pharaoh to let my people go.

When they had reached the other shore, let my people go.

They sang the song of triumph o’er, let my people go.

Go down Moses, way down in Egypt’s land.

Tell ol’ Pharaoh to let my people go.

בְּכָל־דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיָּב אָדָם לִרְאוֹת אֶת־עַצְמוֹ, כְּאִלּוּ הוּא יָצָא מִמִּצְרָֽיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר: בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יְיָ לִי, בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָֽיִם.

B’chol dor vador chayav adam lirot et atzmo, k’ilu hu yatza mimitzrayim, shene-emar: v’higadta l’vincha bayom hahu leimor: ba-avur zeh asah Adonai li, b’tzeiti mimitzrayim.

In every generation every Jewish person is called upon to reflect on the Exodus from Egypt as a personal experience as the Torah informs us, “And you shall tell your children on the day you commemorate Pesach that it is because of what God did for me when I came out of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:8)

Pesach marks the first step in the transformation of liberated slaves into a people who truly felt free. There were physical and spiritual challenges to overcome and each successive step in the pilgrimage seemed miraculous. The words of Dayyeinu celebrate each small passage in the long journey. Let us all join in the singing of Dayenu, which gratitude for all these marvelous things.

Dayenu

Kamah ma-alot tovot lamakom aleinu.

In how many wonderful things did we discover God’s presence?

אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָֽנוּ מִמִּצְרַֽיִם, וְלֹא עָשָׂה בָהֶם שְׁפָטִים, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu hotzi-anu mimitzrayim, v’lo asah vahem sh’fatim, dayeinu.

אִלּוּ קָרַע לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַיָּם, וְלֹא הֶעֱבִירָֽנוּ בְתוֹכוֹ בֶחָרָבָה, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu kara lanu et hayam, v’lo he-eviranu v’tocho vecharavah, dayeinu.

אִלּוּ הֶאֱכִילָֽנוּ אֶת־הַמָּן, וְלֹא נָתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu he-echilanu et ha-man, v’lo natan lanu et hashabat, dayeinu.

אִלּוּ קֵרְבָֽנוּ לִפְנֵי הַר סִינַי, וְלֹא נָתַן לָּֽנוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu keir’vanu lifnei har sinai, v’lo natan lanu et hatorah, dayeinu.

אִלּוּ נָתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה, וְלֹא הִכְנִיסָֽנוּ לְאֶֽרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu natan lanu et hatorah, v’lo hichnisanu l’eretz yisra-eil, dayeinu.

אִלּוּ הִכְנִיסָֽנוּ לְאֶֽרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלֹא בָֽנָה לָֽנוּ אֶת־בֵּית הַבְּחִירָה, דַּיֵּנוּ:

Ilu hichnisanu l’eretz yisra-eil, v’lo vanah lanu et beit hab’chirah, dayeinu.

Had God brought us out of Egypt, and not executed judgments against the Egyptians, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God split the Sea for us, and not led us through it on dry land, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God fed us the manna, and not given us the Sabbath, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God given us the Sabbath, and not brought us to Mount Sinai, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God brought us to Mount Sinai, and not given us the Torah, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God given us the Torah, and not brought us into Israel, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

Had God brought us into Israel, and not built the Temple for us, it would have been enough–Dayyenu!

How much more so, then, should we be grateful to God for the numerous favors that God bestowed upon us–Dayyenu!

Pesach, Matza and Maror

Rabban Gamaliel reminded us that our Seder would not be complete if we did not mention the three essential elements of the biblical celebration of Pesach: The Pesach Sacrifice, the Matza, and the Maror, each symbolically represented by items on our Seder plate.

רַבָּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הָיָה אוֹמֵר: כָּל שֶׁלֹּא אָמַר שְׁלֹשָה דְבָרִים אֵלּוּ בַּפֶּסַח, לֹא יָצָא יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ, וְאֵֽלּוּ הֵן: פֶּסַח. מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר:

Raban Gamli-eil hayah omeir: Kol shelo amar sh’loshah d’varim eilu bapesach lo yatza y’dei chovato, v’eilu hein. Pesach. Matzah, U-maror

The Pesach, shank bone, symbolizes the Passover lamb our ancestors ate when the Temple existed as a memory of the first Passover in Egypt when God passed over the houses of our Israelite ancestors in the dark night during which God smote the firstborn of Egypt.

The Matza, the unleavened bread, reminds us that the order to leave Egypt came so quickly that they did not have time to let their bread rise.

The Maror, the bitter herb, recalls how the Egyptians embittered our ancestors’ lives with hard labor in the fields and in the towns. (Exodus 1:14)

When we remember all these awesome events, we offer praise to God who guided us from slavery to freedom, from suffering to joy, from mourning to celebration, from darkness to great light, and from oppression to liberation – Halleluyah – Praise the Redeeming God.

הַלְלוּיָהּ. הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי יְיָ.

הַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְיָ.

יְהִי שֵׁם יְיָ מְבֹרָךְ

מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם:

Hal’luyah, hal’lu avdei Adonai,

hal’lu et sheim Adonai.

Y’hi sheim Adonai m’vorach,

mei-atah v’ad olam. (Psalm 113:1-2)

Praise the Eternal! You who serve the Eternal sing praises! Praise the Eternal’s name! Blessed be the Eternal One’s name right now and always!

Second cup of wine

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

We praise and thank You, Source of Life, Ruler of all the World,

who has created the fruit of the vine.

VI - Rachtzah רָחְצָה

Washing the hands for the meal

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָֽיִם:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’tzivanu al n’tilat yadayim.

VII - Motzi Matza מוֹצִיא מַצָּה

Blessings over the Matza

בְָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶֽחֶם מִן הָאָֽרֶץ:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

We thank and praise you, Source of All Life, Ruler of All There Is, who brings forth bread from the earth.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מַצָּה:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat matzah.

We thank and praise you, Eternal One, Ruler of All There Is, who has shown us how to live lives of holiness through Your mitzvot, Your commandments, and has given us the mitzvah to eat matza.

VIII - Maror מָרוֹר

Everyone takes a small piece of matza and places some bitter herbs on it.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מָרוֹר:

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

IX - Koreich כּוֹרֵךְ

There are two other symbols on the Seder plate. The egg is another reminder of the spring. The charoset, traditionally a mixture of nuts, fruit, and wine, reminds us of the mortar that our ancestors used when they built fortresses and cities for Pharaoh.

Before we begin the Festive Meal, we recall the custom of our great sage Hillel who ate the matza, bitter herb, and Passover lamb together by eating a sandwich of matza, charoset, and marror to fulfill the verse “They shall eat it, the lamb, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” (Number 9:11)

X - Shulchan Oreich שֻׁלְחָן עוֹרֵךְ

We Eat the Festive Meal

XI - Tzafun צָפוּן

We conclude our meal by eating the afikomen, the piece of matza we set aside at the beginning of the Seder, and offer our thanks for the meal we have shared.

Don’t Sit On The Afikomen

(To the tune of “Glory, Glory, Halleluiah”)

My Dad at every Seder breaks a Matza piece in two

And hides the Afikomen half – A game for me and you

Find it, hold it ransom for the Seder isn’t through

‘till the Afikomen’s gone.

[Chorus:] Don’t sit on the Afikomen.

Don’t sit on the Afikomen.

Or the Meal will last all night.

One year Daddy hid it ‘neath a pillow on a chair

But just as I raced over, my Aunt Sophie sat down there

She threw herself upon it – Awful crunching filled the air

And crumbs flew all around. [Chorus]

There were matza crumbs all over

Oh, it was a messy sight.

We swept up all the pieces though it took us half the night

So, if you want your Seder ending sooner than dawn’s light,

Don’t sit on the Afiko-o-men! [Chorus]

XII Bareich בָּרֵךְ

Dear God, we are grateful for the opportunity to join together at this table and share food and fellowship. We are appreciative of all the blessings we have received. Now that we have eaten, we thank and bless You, Dear God, because You provide food for all Your creatures.

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת: בְּשׁוּב יְיָ אֶת שִׁיבַת צִיּוֹן הָיִֽינוּ כְּחֹלְמִים:

Shir hama-alot. B’shuv Adonai et shivat tzion hayinu k’chol’mim.

אָז יִמָּלֵא שְׂחוֹק פִּֽינוּ וּלְשׁוֹנֵֽנוּ רִנָּה

Az yimalei s’chok pinu ul’shoneinu rinah

אָז יֹאמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם הִגְדִּיל יְיָ לַעֲשׂוֹת עִם אֵֽלֶּה:

Az yomru vagoyim higdil Adonai la-asot im eileh.

הִגְדִּיל יְיָ לַעֲשׂוֹת עִמָּֽנוּ הָיִֽינוּ שְׂמֵחִים:

Higdil Adonai la-asot imanu hayinu s’meichim.

שׁוּבָה יְיָ אֶת שְׁבִיתֵֽנוּ כַּאֲפִיקִים בַּנֶּֽגֶב:

Shuvah Adonai et sh’viteinu ka-afikim banegev.

הַזֹּרְעִים בְּדִמְעָה בְּרִנָּה יִקְצֹֽרוּ:

Hazor’im b’dimah b’rinah yiktzoru.

הָלוֹךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבָכֹה נֹשֵׂא מֶֽשֶׁךְ הַזָּֽרַע

Haloch yeileich uvachoh nosei meshech hazara

בֹּא יָבֹא בְרִנָּה נֹשֵׂא אֲלֻמֹּתָיו:

bo yavo v’rinah nosei alumotav.

A Song of Ascents

When the Eternal brought the captives of Zion home, it was as if we were dreamers.

Laughter filled our mouths; joyous song was on our tongues.

The nations said, “The Eternal has done great things for them.”

Yes, the Eternal did do great things for us, and we were happy.

Eternal One, restore our captives as rain fills streams in the Negev.

Those who sow with tears will reap with song.

Weeping, they go out carrying the seed bag.

Singing, they return in song holding their sheaves of grain.

Chaveirai n’vareich:

חֲבֵרַי נְבָרֵךְ!

Y’hi sheim Adonai m’vorach mei-atah v’ad olam.

יְהִי שֵׁם יְיָ מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם.

Y’hi sheim Adonai m’vorach mei-atah v’ad olam. Birshut chaveirai, n’vareich (Eloheinu) she-achalnu mishelo.

יְהִי שֵׁם יְיָ מְבֹרָךְ מֵעַתָּה וְעַד עוֹלָם. בִּרְשׂוּת חֲבֵרַי, נְבָרֵךְ (אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ) שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ.

Baruch (Eloheinu) she-achalnu mishelo uv’tuvo chayinu.

בָּרוּךְ (אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ) שֶׁאָכַֽלְנוּ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וּבְטוּבוֹ חָיִֽינוּ.

Baruch (Eloheinu) she-achalnu mishelo uv’tuvo chayinu.

בָּרוּךְ הוּא וּבָרוּךְ שְׁמוֹ:

Baruch hu uvaruch sh’mo:

Leader: Friends, let us say grace.

Guests: Blessed be the Eternal’s Name now and forever!

Leader: Blessed be the Eternal’s Name, now and forever! With your permission, let us now bless (our) God whose food we have eaten.

Guests: Blessed be (our) God whose food we have eaten and through whose goodness we live.

Leader: Blessed be (our) God whose food we have eaten and through whose goodness we live.

Together: Blessed be God and blessed be God’s name

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶך הָעוֹלָם, הַזָּן אֶת הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ בְּטוּבוֹ בְּחֵן בְּחֶֽסֶד וּבְרַחֲמִים. הוּא נוֹתֵן לֶֽחֶם לְכָל בָּשָׂר כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ. וּבְטוּבוֹ הַגָּדוֹל תָּמִיד לֹא חָֽסַר לָֽנוּ, וְאַל יֶחְסַר לָֽנוּ מָזוֹן לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד. בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל, כִּי הוּא אֵל זָן וּמְפַרְנֵס לַכֹּל וּמֵטִיב לַכֹּל, וּמֵכִין מָזוֹן לְכֹל בְּרִיּוֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eoheinu melech ha-olam, hazan et ha-olam kulo b’tuvo b’chein b’chesed uv’rachamim hu notein lechem l’chol basar ki l’olam chasdo. Uv’tuvo hagadol tamid lo chasar lanu, v’al yechsar lanu mazon l’olam va-ed. Ba-avur sh’mo hagadol, ki hu eil zan um’farneis lakol umeitiv lakol, umeichin mazon l’chol b’riotav asher bara.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַזָּן אֶת הַכֹּל:

Baruch atah Adonai, hazan et hakol.

We thank and bless you, Dear God, Ruler of all, the One who nourishes the whole world with goodness, grace, kindness, and mercy. God provides food to all creatures because God’s mercy extends forever. Through God’s great goodness, nothing has been withheld from us, and, so, may we not lack food as long as we need it. As a sign of God’s great name, God feeds and sustains all, God is good to all, and God provides food to all creatures God has created. We thank and bless You, Dear God, the one who provides food for all.

We are thankful for the goodness of the earth, which You created for all, and for the blessings of the land, which You have allocated for us, so we thank and bless You, Dear God, because You have given us a good earth from which we can grow our food.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, עַל הָאָֽרֶץ וְעַל הַמָּזוֹן:

Baruch atah Adonai, al ha-aretz v’al hamazon.

We look forward to the day when all people everywhere will share in the blessings of the world, when peace will reign and our holy city, Jerusalem, will be restored in its full glory. We praise and bless You, Dear God, for inspiring us to make this dream a reality.

Baruch atah Adonai, boneih v’rachamav y’rushalayim. Amein

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, בּוֹנֵה בְּרַחֲמָיו יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם. אָמֵן:

We are grateful for all the good we have received and continue to receive, so we thank and praise You, Dear God, Ruler of All There Is, because You are the source of goodness.

עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם, עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעַל כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל, וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya-aseh shalom aleinu v’al kol yisra-eil, v’al kol yoshvei teivel, v’imru amein.

You who are the One who makes for peace in the heavens above, grant peace to us, to all Israel, and to all who share our small world, and let us say, “Amen!”

Third Cup of Wine

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

We praise and thank You Source of Life, Ruler of all the World,

who has created the fruit of the vine.

We Welcome Elijah

We always set aside an additional cup of wine for the Prophet Elijah. We open our front door to greet our honored guest and invite him to join our Seder. We pray that Elijah will return to us bringing a time of peace and freedom for all people throughout the world.

אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא, אֵלִיָּהוּ הַתִּשְׁבִּי,

אֵלִיָּהוּ, אֵלִיָּהוּ, אֵלִיָּהוּ הַגִּלְעָדִי.

בִּמְהֵרָה בְיְמֵנוּ יָבוֹא אֵלֵנוּ

עִם מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד,

עִם מָשִׁיחַ בֶּן דָּוִד.

Eiliyahu hanavi, Eiliyahu hatishbi

Eiliyahu, Eiliyahu, Eiliyahu ha-Gil’adi. Bimheira beyameinu yavo eileinu

Im Mashiach ben David,

Im Mashiach ben David.

Elijah the Prophet, Elijah from Tisbi

Elijah who lived in the Galilee

Come quickly now, and let me see

The Messianic age. Let it be.

XIII - Haleil הַלֵּל

Psalm 117

הַלְלוּ אֶת יְיָ, כָּל גּוֹיִם,

שַׁבְּחֽוּהוּ כָּל הָאֻמִּים.

כִּי גָבַר עָלֵֽינוּ חַסְדּוֹ,

וֶאֱמֶת יְיָ לְעוֹלָם, הַלְלוּיָהּ:

Hal’lu et Adonai, kol goyim,

shab’chuhu, kol haumim.

Ki gavar aleinu chasdo,

ve-emet Adonai l’olam, hal’luyah!

Let all nations praise the Eternal

Let all people glorify God

Because God’s compassion overwhelms us

And God’s truth is everlasting – Hallelujah!

From Psalm 118

הוֹדוּ לַייָ כִּי טוֹב, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

Hodu l’Adonai ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo.

Give thanks to the Eternal, who is good, whose love is everlasting

יֹאמַר נָא יִשְׂרָאֵל, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

Yomar na yisra-eil, ki l’olam chasdo.

Let Israel declare, “God’s love is everlasting.”

יֹאמְרוּ נָא בֵית אַהֲרֹן, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

Yomru na veit aharon, ki l’olam chasdo.

Let the House of Aaron proclaim, “God’s love is everlasting.”

יֹאמְרוּ נָא יִרְאֵי יְיָ, כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ:

Yomru na yirei Adonai, ki l’olam chasdo.

Let all those who revere God confess, “God’s love is everlasting.”

הָבָה נָשִׁירָה שִׁר הַלְלוּיָהּ.

Hava nashirah shir, “Hal’luyah!”

Let us sing a song of praise.

“Halleluyah! Praise the Eternal One!”

Fourth Cup of Wine

We bless and praise You, Beloved God, Ruler of All, who creates the fruit of the vine. We thank You and bless You, who are good and beneficent to all your creatures, for the Land of Israel and for the fruit of the vine. Praise and thanks are Yours, Dear God, for the sweetness and blessings of life symbolized by the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen.

We praise and thank You Source of Life, Ruler of all the World, who has created the fruit of the vine.

Pesach Songs

Adir hu

אַדִּיר הוּא, יִבְנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּקָרוֹב, בִּמְהֵרָה בִּמְהֵרָה, בְּיָמֵינוּ בְּקָרוֹב. אֵל בְּנֵה, בְּנֵה בֵיתְךָ בְּקָרוֹב.

Adir hu, yivneh veito b’karov, bimheirah bimheirah, b’yameinu b’karov. Eil b’neih, b’neih veitcha b’karov.

בָּחוּר הוּא, גָּדוֹל הוּא, דָּגוּל הוּא, יִבְנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּקָרוֹב, בִּמְהֵרָה בִּמְהֵרָה, בְּיָמֵינוּ בְקָרוֹב. אֵל בְּנֵה, אֵל בְּנֵה, בְּנֵה בֵיתְךָ בְּקָרוֹב.

Bachur hu, gadol hu, dagul hu, yivneh veito b’karov, bimheirah bimheirah, b’yameinu v’karov. Eil b’neih, eil b’neih, b’neih veitcha b’karov.

הָדוּר הוּא, וָתִיק הוּא, זַכַּאי הוּא, חָסִיד הוּא, יִבְנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּקָרוֹב, בִּמְהֵרָה בִּמְהֵרָה, בְּיָמֵינוּ בְקָרוֹב. אֵל בְּנֵה, אֵל בְּנֵה, בְּנֵה בֵיתְךָ בְּקָרוֹב.

Hadur hu, vatik hu, zakay hu, chasid hu, yivneh veito b’karov, bimheirah bimheirah, b’yameinu v’karov. Eil b’neih, eil b’neih, b’neih veitcha b’karov.

טָהוֹר הוּא, יָחִיד הוּא, כַּבִּיר הוּא, לָמוּד הוּא, מֶלֶךְ הוּא, נוֹרָא הוּא, סַגִּיב הוּא, עִזּוּז הוּא, פּוֹדֶה הוּא, צַדִּיק הוּא, יִבְנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּקָרוֹב, בִּמְהֵרָה בִּמְהֵרָה, בְּיָמֵינוּ בְקָרוֹב. אֵל בְּנֵה, אֵל בְּנֵה, בְּנֵה בֵיתְךָ בְּקָרוֹב.

Tahor hu, yachid hu, kabir hu, lamud hu, melech hu, nora hu, sagiv hu, izuz hu, podeh hu, tzadik hu, yivneh veito b’karov, bimheirah bimheirah, b’yameinu v’karov. Eil b’neih, eil b’neih, b’neih veitcha b’karov.

Kadosh hu, rachum hu, shadai hu, takif hu, yivneh veito b’karov, bimheirah bimheirah, b’yameinu v’karov. Eil b’neih, eil b’neih, b’neih veitcha b’karov.

קָדוֹשׁ הוּא, רַחוּם הוּא, שַׁדַּי הוּא, תַּקִּיף הוּא, יִבְנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּקָרוֹב, בִּמְהֵרָה בִּמְהֵרָה, בְּיָמֵינוּ בְקָרוֹב. אֵל בְּנֵה, אֵל בְּנֵה, בְּנֵה בֵיתְךָ בְּקָרוֹב.

May the Mighty One, the Blessed One, the Pure One, the Holy One, the Merciful One, the Awesome One speedily rebuild our Holy Temple. Soon, in our days, we pray that the vision of Isaiah the Prophet is fulfilled, and God’s House becomes a House of Prayer for all people.

Had Gadya

חַד גַּדְיָא, חַד גַּדְיָא

דְזַבִּין אַבָּא בִּתְרֵי זוּזֵי, חַד גַּדְיָא, חַד גַּדְיָא.

Chad gadya, chad gadya

d’zabin aba bitrei zuzei, chad gadya, chad gadya.

This is the story of one small kid my daddy bought for me. It only cost two zuzim. That’s very cheap you see.

But as soon as the little kid came home, our cat ate the goat. Then while the cat was cleaning itself, Daddy’s dog bit the cat. Mommy then, to stop the dog, beat him with a stick, and later, Bubbe, when she was cold, threw the stick on the fire. When it was time to quench the fire, Zayde poured water all over it and the water flowed into the yard. Our ox saw the water, and, being thirsty, drank it up. Then the shochet, the kosher butcher, came and bought and slaughtered the ox. However, before he could sell the meat, the malach ha-mavet, the Angel of Death visited him and the poor shochet died. However, this is not the end of the story because . . .

Finally, the Kadosh Baruch Hu, the Holy One of Blessings, came and overthrew the Angel of Death who slew the shochet who slaughtered the ox that drank the water that quenched the fire that burned the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid that Daddy bought for two zuzim; One kid, one kid, Chad gad-ya, chad gad-ya.

וְאָתָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְשָׁחַט לְמַלְאָךְ הַמָּוֶת, דְּשָׁחַט לְשׁוֹחֵט, דְּשָׁחַט לְתוֹרָא, דְּשָׁתָא לְמַיָּא, דְּכָבָה לְנוּרָא, דְּשָׂרַף לְחוּטְרָא, דְּהִכָּה לְכַלְבָּא, דְּנָשַׁךְ לשׁוּנְרָא, דְּאָכְלָה לְגַדְיָא, דְזַבִּין אַבָּא בִּתְרֵי זוּזֵי, חַד גַּדְיָא, חַד גַּדְיָא.

V’ata hakadosh Baruch hu, v’shachat l’malach hamavet, d’shachat l’tora, d’shata l’maya, d’chavah l’nura, d’saraf l’chutra, d’hikah l’chalba, d’nashach l’shunra, d’achlah l’gadya, d’zabin aba bitrei zuzei, chad gadya, chad gadya.

XIV - Nirtzah נִרְצָה

We have completed our Seder in its proper way

We remember all that has happened on this day

Soon we hope that all will be free

As we all gather to celebrate in our holy city.

לַשָּׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשָׁלָיִם!

L’shanah haba-ah birushalayim.

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!

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