Traditionally, a series of prayers and blessings after eating are now recited in Hebrew. Together we say:
We have eaten this Passover meal as a free people and we give thanks to God for his many blessings. Preserve us in life, sustain us with good and honorable work and make us worthy. Bless this home, this table, and all assembled here; may all our loved ones share our blessings.
Wine gladdens the heart. The Torah tells us four times to recount the story of our redemption from slavery and we will drink wine four times during the course of this Seder while reclining; twice before the meal and twice after the meal. Wine is a symbol of joy and happiness and we thank God that we are able to gather together again with friends and family to observe this Festival just as our ancestors have done for centuries.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-gafen.
Praised be thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine!
You have called us for service from among the peoples and have hallowed our lives with commandments. You have given us festivals for rejoicing, seasons of celebration, this Festival of Freedom, a day of sacred assembly commemorating the Exodus from bondage.
In the Passover story, God promises deliverance four times: “I will take you out from under the burdens of Egypt; and I will deliver you from their bondage; I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judg- ments; and I will take you to Me for a people.” As we drink the first of four cups of wine, we thank God for giving us life, for sustaining us, and allowing us to reach this moment. We know that life is fragile. Each day is a gift to be cherished and no moment should be taken for granted. We thank God for helping us maintain a life of meaning and we are thankful for having opportu- nities to sanctify our lives by performing good deeds that make a difference in the world.
All drink the first cup of wine
Questioning is a healthy sign of freedom. Asking questions is so fundamen- tal that, according to the rabbis, even if one finds oneself alone on Passover, the Four Questions should be asked aloud.
Traditionally, the youngest child is called upon to ask these four questions about the differences that mark this night. We encourage children to question and all who are present may ask the Four Questions.
Ma nish-ta-na ha-lyla ha-zeh meekol ha-lailot?
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin chamaytz u-matzo, ha-laila ha-zeh kulo matzo
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin sh’or y’rokot, ha-laila ha-zeh maror
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot ayn anu mat-beeleen afeelu pa-am e-chat ha-laila ha-zeh shetay f’amim
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin bayn yoshvin u-vayn m’subin ha-laila ha-zeh kulanu m’subin
Why is this night different from all other nights?
On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?
On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?
On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?
On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremony?
On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?
On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?
On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?
On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremo
It is customary to begin the Passover meal with hard-boiled eggs flavored with salt water. The egg is symbolic of new life, and of hope; the salt water, a symbol of tears. Eggs, unlike other foods, harden when they are cooked, sym- bolic of our faith being tempered and hardened by the forces of our history.
May we reflect on our lives this year and soften our hearts to those around us. Another year has passed since we gathered at the Seder table and we are once again reminded that life is fleeting. We are reminded to use each pre- cious moment wisely so that no day will pass without bringing us closer to some worthy achievement as we all take a moment to be aware of how truly blessed and fortunate we are.
Our faith gives us many holidays to celebrate throughout the year and they are all times for self reflection, gently guiding us to a better path in life. We are each given a chance to reflect on our past year; to think about where we have been and how we will live our lives in the year to come. We reaffirm our com- mitment to lead good and meaningful lives, making peace wherever we go.
We are now coming to the Seder meal. As we ordinarily begin with the breaking of bread, we begin tonight with the breaking of matzoh. We recite two blessings; first the regular blessing for bread, then a special one for mat- zoh.
The upper and middle piece of the three matzot are broken and distributed among the group as we recite togetherBaruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.
We praise You, God, who brings forth bread from the earth.
In ancient times our people were farmers and shepherds. In this festive season, we are meant to feel a connection with the food we eat from the land and to remember that we are surrounded by blessings and miracles no less majestic than those our ancestors witnessed thousands of years ago. Spring reminds us that we are again given a chance for renewal; a new chance to cre- ate peace and goodness in our world. We dip karpas — greens — to symbolize this renewal. The salt water symbolizes the bitter tears shed by our ancestors in slavery.
Each person takes greens, dips them in salt water and recites the following:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-adamah.
We praise You, Adonai, Sovereign of Life, Who creates the fruit of the earth.
Eat the Karpas
Traditionally, a series of prayers and blessings after eating are now recited in Hebrew. Together we say:
We have eaten this Passover meal as a free people and we give thanks to God for his many blessings. Preserve us in life, sustain us with good and honorable work and make us worthy. Bless this home, this table, and all assembled here; may all our loved ones share our blessings.
Wine gladdens the heart. The Torah tells us four times to recount the story of our redemption from slavery and we will drink wine four times during the course of this Seder while reclining; twice before the meal and twice after the meal. Wine is a symbol of joy and happiness and we thank God that we are able to gather together again with friends and family to observe this Festival just as our ancestors have done for centuries.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-gafen.
Praised be thou, O Lord Our God, King of the Universe, who has created the fruit of the vine!
You have called us for service from among the peoples and have hallowed our lives with commandments. You have given us festivals for rejoicing, seasons of celebration, this Festival of Freedom, a day of sacred assembly commemorating the Exodus from bondage.
In the Passover story, God promises deliverance four times: “I will take you out from under the burdens of Egypt; and I will deliver you from their bondage; I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judg- ments; and I will take you to Me for a people.” As we drink the first of four cups of wine, we thank God for giving us life, for sustaining us, and allowing us to reach this moment. We know that life is fragile. Each day is a gift to be cherished and no moment should be taken for granted. We thank God for helping us maintain a life of meaning and we are thankful for having opportu- nities to sanctify our lives by performing good deeds that make a difference in the world.
All drink the first cup of wine
Questioning is a healthy sign of freedom. Asking questions is so fundamen- tal that, according to the rabbis, even if one finds oneself alone on Passover, the Four Questions should be asked aloud.
Traditionally, the youngest child is called upon to ask these four questions about the differences that mark this night. We encourage children to question and all who are present may ask the Four Questions.
Ma nish-ta-na ha-lyla ha-zeh meekol ha-lailot?
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin chamaytz u-matzo, ha-laila ha-zeh kulo matzo
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin sh’or y’rokot, ha-laila ha-zeh maror
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot ayn anu mat-beeleen afeelu pa-am e-chat ha-laila ha-zeh shetay f’amim
She-be-chol ha-lay-lot anu ochlin bayn yoshvin u-vayn m’subin ha-laila ha-zeh kulanu m’subin
Why is this night different from all other nights?
On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?
On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?
On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?
On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremony?
On all other nights, we eat either leavened bread or matzoh; why, on this night, do we eat only matzoh?
On all other nights, we eat all kinds of herbs; why, on this night, do we especially eat bitter herbs?
On all other nights, we do not dip herbs at all; why, on this night, do we dip twice?
On all other nights, we eat in an ordinary manner; why, tonight, do we recline and dine with a special ceremo
It is customary to begin the Passover meal with hard-boiled eggs flavored with salt water. The egg is symbolic of new life, and of hope; the salt water, a symbol of tears. Eggs, unlike other foods, harden when they are cooked, sym- bolic of our faith being tempered and hardened by the forces of our history.
May we reflect on our lives this year and soften our hearts to those around us. Another year has passed since we gathered at the Seder table and we are once again reminded that life is fleeting. We are reminded to use each pre- cious moment wisely so that no day will pass without bringing us closer to some worthy achievement as we all take a moment to be aware of how truly blessed and fortunate we are.
Our faith gives us many holidays to celebrate throughout the year and they are all times for self reflection, gently guiding us to a better path in life. We are each given a chance to reflect on our past year; to think about where we have been and how we will live our lives in the year to come. We reaffirm our com- mitment to lead good and meaningful lives, making peace wherever we go.
We are now coming to the Seder meal. As we ordinarily begin with the breaking of bread, we begin tonight with the breaking of matzoh. We recite two blessings; first the regular blessing for bread, then a special one for mat- zoh.
The upper and middle piece of the three matzot are broken and distributed among the group as we recite togetherBaruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.
We praise You, God, who brings forth bread from the earth.
In ancient times our people were farmers and shepherds. In this festive season, we are meant to feel a connection with the food we eat from the land and to remember that we are surrounded by blessings and miracles no less majestic than those our ancestors witnessed thousands of years ago. Spring reminds us that we are again given a chance for renewal; a new chance to cre- ate peace and goodness in our world. We dip karpas — greens — to symbolize this renewal. The salt water symbolizes the bitter tears shed by our ancestors in slavery.
Each person takes greens, dips them in salt water and recites the following:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p'ri ha-adamah.
We praise You, Adonai, Sovereign of Life, Who creates the fruit of the earth.
Eat the Karpas
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