Maror: Bitter Herbs (perceived) – We take a break from the story here to eat Maror. Why?

(We are taught that “In every generation all of us are obliged to regard ourselves as if we ourselves went forth from the land of Egypt.” So it is not enough to remember, we must ourselves enter the story and, through symbols and ceremony and food, make it our own. Maror helps reminds us of the bitterness of slavery, the bitterness of being treated as property rather than a human being. As we taste the bitterness, our mouths and eyes water. We think of the tears of bitterness caused by intolerance or injustice.)

Blessing the bitter herbs

Old Traditional blessing: Baruch atah adonay eloheynu meleh ha’olam asher kidshanu bemitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

Alternative language blessing: Nvarech et ruach ha’olam asher kidashtanu b’mitzvotechah v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

We remember the stories of our people, we are reminded of how hard it was for the Israelites to be slaves and we are reminded to not take our freedom for granted.