(Edited from contributions by Jewish Boston)

Rabbi Alex Israel of Pardes shares, with Kiddush we sanctify the day and define its meaning. We proclaim this day as significant, holy and meaningful. We fashion time, claim ownership of it, and fashion it as a potent contact point with God, peoplehood and tradition. This is a quintessential act of Jewish freedom. Kadesh reminds us that true freedom and self-respect is to master and control time for ourselves, to shape our life in accordance with our values.

The seder starts with wine and then gives us three more opportunities to refill our cup and drink.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Eloheinu ruach ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

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

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

Baruch Atah Eloheinu ruach, she-hechiyanu v’key’manu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

We praise God, Present Everything, who has kept us alive, raised us up, and brought us to this happy moment.

Drink the first glass of wine!


haggadah Section: Kadesh