Kadesh

Haggadah Section: Kadesh

Kadesh

Host:

The seder opens with kiddush (the blessing over wine). (please pour the wine for everyone while we continue to read.

Guest:

A slave’s time is not his own. He is at the beck and call of his master. Even when the slave has a pressing personal engagement, his taskmaster’s needs will take priority. In contrast, freedom is the control of our time. We determine what we do when we wake up in the morning; we prioritize our day. This is true for an individual, but also for a nation. God commands Israel to create a Jewish calendar because, as an independent nation, Israel should not march anymore to an Egyptian rhythm, celebrating Egyptian months and holidays. Instead, Israel must forge a Jewish calendar, with unique days of rest, celebration and memory. Controlling and crafting our time is the critical first act of freedom.

Guest:

Kiddush says this out loud. 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.

Host:

Today, we often feel short of time; that time controls us. 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.

Guest:
The traditional reason for drinking four cups is to remember the redemption of the Jews from Egyptian slavery to freedom. We recall the four promises made to describe the redemption:

Guest:
I shall  take  you out; I shall  rescue  you; I shall  redeem  you; I shall  bring  you.

Guest:
The four cups are also symbolic of the four seasons. Tonight’s first cup of wine is for the physical spring that we see, hear, smell and touch. Green is currently forcing its way through the cracks of the hard earth. Birds are beginning to venture out and sing. The scents of flowers have begun perfuming the air. Warmth has begun to creep into our skin and make us feel alive again.

Guest:
As we fill our first glass, we should all take a moment to reflect on how lucky we are to have special times for happiness and holidays. Tonight we gather together, with friends and family, to celebrate a holiday of liberation and freedom.

{{We raise our cups and recite}} 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

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

GROUP:

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

Source:  
mazldik

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