Four Cups of Wine

Haggadah Section: Kadesh

Why do we drink four cups of wine at the Seder?

On this night, we celebrate the birth of the Jewish people as a nation. We read in the Haggadah about our forefathers: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we do not read of the contributions of our mothers to the development of the nation of Israel. Each cup of wine represent one of our matriarchs.

The first cup of wine is used to recite Kiddush, the sanctification of the day. In the Kiddush, we read how God has sanctified the nation of Isreal with his mitzvot (commandments), which makes the Jewish people unique. Sarah was known for her efforts to spread the word of God to those who previously worshipped idols. It is with Kiddush, where we speak of this sanctification of the nation of Israel, that we commemorate Sarah, who exerted efforts to bring others into the fold.

We drink the second cup of wine after we have told the story of the birth of our nation. We have read how Abraham originally worshipped idols. We have read how the Jewish nation grew and developed. Rebecca's life progressed in a similar fashion. She was born into a family of idol worshipers and she grew to be one of the matriarchs of the nation of Israel. With the second cup of wine we commemorate Rebecca, who overcame an idolatrous background to become the mother of the Jewish people.

After we conclude the Grace After the Meals, we drink the third cup. Rachel was the mother of Joseph, who assured that the entire land of Egypt would have sustenance during the years of famine. It is fitting that we remember Rachel, the mother of the one who sustained a nation, after we have completed our meal.

The last cup of wine is drunk after we complete Hallel, the praises of God. Leah, upon birth of her son Judah, said "This time I shall thank God." Why did Leah thank God upon the birth of her fourth son, and not with her previous three? The answer is that Leah realized Jacob was to have 12 children between 4 wives. When she had her fourth son, she realized that she was given one more than her "share." Of course she was thankful with each child. But with Judah, Leah knew that she had received something truly special, above and beyond what she should get. It is fitting, therefore, that after we finish thanking God for taking us out of Egypt, we remember Leah, who taught the Jewish people how and when to say thank you.

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