Pesach, Matzah, Marror

{ "clip_details": { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "pesach-matzah-marror-4", "title": "Pesach, Matzah, Marror", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "We have now told the story of Passover…but wait! We’re not quite done. There are still some symbols on our seder plate w...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "We have now told the story of Passover…but wait! We’re not quite done. There are still some symbols on our seder plate we haven’t talked about yet. Rabban Gamliel would say that whoever didn’t explain the shank bone, matzah, and marror (or bitter herbs) hasn’t done Passover justice.\n\nThe shank bone represents the Pesach, the special lamb sacrifice made in the days of the Temple for the Passover holiday. It is called the pesach, from the Hebrew word meaning “to pass over,” because the Holy One, blessed be He passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt during the last plague of the slaying of the first born.\n\nOn that first Passover night in Egypt, the Jews put blood on the door posts, and the Angel of Death \"passed over\" the Jewish houses. Actually most people think the blood was on the outside of the door, but really the blood was on the inside. The Jews sat there that night, staring at the blood. They had a lot to think about. They were going to walk out of Egypt the next morning and enter into a covenant with Hashem.\n\nWhy do we use a lamb? What is the significance of eating an animal for the purpose of remembering such an event? While we were slaves under the Egyptians for 400 years, we became dominated by the Egyptian culture. It is said that we only retained three things after a 400 year enslavement: our clothing, our names, and our Hebrew language. As we know from the last plague, the first born has a tremendous value in Egyptian culture. Our exodus was scheduled for the month of Nissan, and the astrological symbol of the month of Nissan is Aries, the Ram. The 15th day is the apex of a lunar month, and so the slaughtering of the ram-god of the Egyptians was to be done on the evening of the full moon of it's very own month (ostensibly the height of it's powers). The Egyptians would be powerless to prevent it!\n\nWe go so far as to call the shabbat before passover Shabbat Hagadol, \"the great shabbat\". This is the day that Hashem commanded the jews to tie the offering four days before it was slaughtered. As the Jews were going around Egypt collecting lambs on a Saturday, the Egyptians started asking questions. The Jewish response that they were for the purpose of slaughter, ritual, and consumption was like flaunting their intentions in the faces of their Egyptian neighbors and oppressors. Sheep were chosen precisely because they were taboo to the Egyptians and any attempt to slaughter them would be resisted forcefully. It was as though we were daring them to interfere with us in the wake of a series of plagues against them.\n\nWhen the Jews further told the Egyptians that the purpose of this ritual would be to protect every Jewish household from the upcoming plague of slaying the first-born, it actually started a civil war in Egypt. They knew that up till now, Hashem had a good track record for following through with his plagues and so they started fighting each other to try to put a stop to this madness. We call it Shabbat Hagadol because the Egyptians killed each other over this plague, and the direct result of us slaying the Egyptian god was us being able to leave the Egyptian land and the Egyptian culture following the slaying of the first-born.\n\nSo every year we consume the paschal lamb to remember that in our lives we still are slaves to a permeating culture that is not our own. What are the gods in this generation? Where do people put all the power and worship? Career, fashion, fame, status, wealth. We are all worshipping something. We are all religious. We need to ask: what are the idols I worship? Where do I give my power? We are dominated by forces that cause us to abandon our Jewish laws, customs, and ideals. We must literally slaughter the false god of these forces in order to rise above them and return to our core values. Find your idol. Then exchange it for the real thing. That is the Passover offering.\n\nThe matzah reminds us that when our ancestors were finally free to leave Egypt, there was no time to pack or prepare. Our ancestors grabbed whatever dough was made and set out on their journey, letting their dough bake into matzah as they fled. This powerful symbol of this holiday actually has a deeper meaning.\n\nThere is a common misconception that is a source of confusion around Matzah. We call it the bread of affliction, yet also ate this bread as we were redeemed from Egypt. The reason for this is that we actually ate matzah as our daily bread as slaves in Egypt. It is called the bread of affliction because our oppressors in Egypt fed us matzah because it didn't need the attention of bread, it was an act of demeaning us, and as we all experience on passover, it is a flat bread that expands in our stomachs, enabling us to feel full on an empty stomach and keep working as slaves.\n\nWhy then did we make matzah on our way out of Egypt? We actually knew we were to leave Egypt the night before we left. So couldn't we prepare leavened bread for our departure? We ate matzah even as we left Egypt because we were still humbled by slavery in Egypt. Just as the bread was flat, so too was our ego.\n\nThis flat ego would then transform into a leavened or inflated ego as we are commanded to eat leavened bread on the holiday of Shavuot -- the day which we received the Torah at mount sinai. \n\nAll throughout the year we eat bread that is leavened. We have an ego that is inflated by aspects that we think define us. Today we walk around with signs that say, \"I'm a doctor,\" \"I have washboard abs,\" \"I have 10,000 square feet in my house.\" On passover however, we attempt to suspend this ego. We use matzah to recall how we were humbled by slavery for 400 years. We use this remembrance to humble ourselves with the goal of finally inflating our ego with pride in receiving the Torah and in being Jewish.\n\nThe bitter herbs provide a visceral reminder of the bitterness of slavery, the life of hard labor our ancestors experienced in Egypt. The Egyptians embittered our lives with hard labor: with mortar and bricks, with every kind of work in the fields. All the work which they made them do was rigorous.\n\nIn every generation one must loop upon himself as if he personally had come out from Egypt, as the Bible says: \"and thau shalt tell thy son on that day, saying, it is because of that which the Eternal did for me when I went forth from Egypt.\" For it was not alone our forefathers whome the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed; He redeemed us too, with them, as it is said: \"He brought us out from there that He might lead us to and give us the land which He pledged to our forefathers.\"\n\n Raise the cup of wine and say: \n\nTherefore, it is our duty to thank and to praise in song and prayer, to glorify and extol Him who performed all these wonders for our forefathers and for us. He brought us out from slavery to freedom, from anguish to joy, from sorrow to festivity, from darkness to great light. Let us therefore sing before Him a new song. Praise the Eternal.\n\n Put down the cup and continue: \n\nHalleluyah-- Praise the Eternal. Praise, ye servants of the Eternal, praise the name of the Eternal. Blessed be the name of the Eternal from now and for evermore; From the rising of the sun to its descent.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "Various sources", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "-- Cup #2 & Dayenu", "slug": "cup-2-amp-dayenu" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 230, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Pesach, Matzah, Marror | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/pesach-matzah-marror-4", "og:title": "Pesach, Matzah, Marror | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, "contributed_by": { "author": "Talia Evans", "handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "total_books": 0, "total_clips": 24, "total_followers": 0, "is_following": 0 }, "user_book": null, "clips_by_author": [ { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "shehechiyanu-4", "title": "Shehechiyanu", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "The Shehechiyanu prayer is recited for all Jewish holidays and special moments, as a way of thanking G-d for helping us...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "The Shehechiyanu prayer is recited for all Jewish holidays and special moments, as a way of thanking G-d for helping us to reach this moment in time.\n\nBaruch ata adonai, eloheinu melech haolam, shehechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.\n\nברוך אתה י-י אלוקינו מלך הולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה\n\nBlessed are You, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has kept us in life and sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.\n\nBlessed are You, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has given us this opportunity to join together in acknowledging the pain of our ancestors’ slavery, the joy of their freedom, and the oppression still present in our communities today.\n\n\n\n\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Introduction", "slug": "introduction" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 264, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Shehechiyanu | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/shehechiyanu-4", "og:title": "Shehechiyanu | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "hinni-muchan-umzuman", "title": "Hin'ni Muchan Um'zuman", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "הִנְנִי מוּכָן וּמְזוּמָּן לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת כּוֹס רִאשׁוֹנָה מֵאַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת לְשֵׁם יִחוּד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא ו...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "<blockquote>\nהִנְנִי מוּכָן וּמְזוּמָּן לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת כּוֹס רִאשׁוֹנָה מֵאַרְבַּע כּוֹסוֹת לְשֵׁם יִחוּד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּשְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ.\n\n Hin'ni muchan u-m'zuman l'kayem mitzvat kos rishonah m'arbah cosot l'shem yichud kudsha brich hu u-schinteh. \n\nMay my consumption of this first of four cups of wine create healing, effecting a unification between the Holy Blessed One and Shekhinah, God far beyond & God deep within.\n</blockquote>\n\nThe formula which invites one to perform a mitzvah for the sake of the unification of the Holy Blessed One and the Shekhinah (לשם יחוד קודשא בריך הוא ושכינתיה) appears in a variety of places in traditional Jewish practice. Some say those words before putting on tefillin, or before counting the Omer. The Baal Shem Tov urged his followers to say those words before doing any mitzvah. \n\nWhen we read this little pre-prayer intention before each cup of wine, we invest our consumption with the hope that as we bless and drink, we will be able to effect a unification between the Kadosh Baruch Hu and the Shekhinah. Between the transcendent aspect of God which is beyond our ken, and the immanent aspect of God which is embodied in creation. Between divinity we can scarcely begin to comprehend, and divinity we experience in our daily lives.\n\nThese words presume that mitzvot have meaning, and that when we do them mindfully and with a whole heart, we have the capacity to impact the very being of God.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "-- Cup #2 & Dayenu", "slug": "cup-2-amp-dayenu" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 319, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Hin'ni Muchan Um'zuman | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/hinni-muchan-umzuman", "og:title": "Hin'ni Muchan Um'zuman | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "seeing-bad-good", "title": "Seeing the Bad in the Good", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "The Talmud tells us that the structure of the Haggadah is based on one major theme: We begin by recounting the bad and t...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "The Talmud tells us that the structure of the Haggadah is based on one major theme: We begin by recounting the bad and then we conclude with the good. Our story begins when we were slaves in Egypt; from there we moved to liberation and our prophetically promised destiny of final redemption.\n\nThe sequence is meant to convey a fundamental truth of our faith. The bad is but a prelude to the good. When Moses asked God, \"Show me, I pray thee, Thy glory,\" (Exodus 33:18) the Talmud tells us he was really asking the ultimate question of theodicy: Why do bad things happen to good people? God's response was, \"You will see My back, but My face shall not be seen\" (Ex 33:23). The commentators explain God's meaning: Events can never be understood as they occur, but only in retrospect, with the benefit of hindsight. Kierkegaard put it beautifully when he said, \"The greatest tragedy of life is that it must be lived forwards and can only be understood backwards.\"\n\nThe Jewish people were first taught this truth in the story of Joseph. The tragedy of his sale by his brothers turned into the possibility for saving his family in the time of famine.\n\nAt the end of the story, Joseph reassures his brothers that he will do them no harm. \"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive\" (Genesis 50:20).\n\nThe word Haggadah in gematria (numerical value) adds up to 17. That was the exact age of Joseph when he was sold into Egypt – the real beginning of the story of our Egyptian exile and ultimately of the Exodus commemorated by Passover. By numerical allusion, Haggadah reminds us of the terrible act that started it all.\n\nBut there is yet another meaning to the gematria of 17. That is also the numerical value of the Hebrew word tov, the word good. We need to remember that the tragedy of Joseph's sale at the age of 17 led to the miracle of our redemption and the revelation at Sinai.\n\nNo matter how black any event may appear at the time, the dark of night is always followed by the dawn. \"And it was evening, and it was morning\" is the theme of our history – and the secret of the word Haggadah.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/si/Haggadah-Insights-to-Share-at-the-Seder.html", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "-- Exodus Story", "slug": "exodus-story" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 206, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Seeing the Bad in the Good | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/seeing-bad-good", "og:title": "Seeing the Bad in the Good | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "invitation-guests-extra-wisdom", "title": "The Invitation to Guests: Extra Wisdom", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "We preface the seder with an invitation to guests. We are taught in the Ethics of the Fathers; “Simeon the righteius say...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "We preface the seder with an invitation to guests.\n\nWe are taught in the Ethics of the Fathers; “Simeon the righteius says that the world rests on three pillars: On Torah, on avodah (sacrifice, worship), and gemelut chasadim – acts of loving kindness” (1:2). All three are required for the world to deserve survival.\n\nThe rabbis point out that there is a striking correspondence between these three fundamental requirements and the number of patriarchs who served as founders of our faith. Before beginning the story of the 12 children of Israel and the creation of the Jewish people we were given three paradigms of spiritual greatness, each one of whom epitomized to perfection one of the traits singled out by the Mishnah.\n\nAbraham’s greatness rested in his concern for others, his acts of loving kindness. The very first thing we learn about him after he entered into his covenant with God by way of circumcision is that “he sat in the door of his tent in the heat of the day” (Genesis 18:1) waiting for an opportunity to host any strangers who might be passing by. His life teaches us the true meaning of loving kindness . \n\nIsaac, who understood that his father was taking him to be sacrificed as an offering to God, willingly accepted his fate and was prepared to give up his life to fulfill a divine command, no matter how incomprehensible. He is the paradigm of Avodah, service . \n\nJacob “sat in the tents” (Genesis 25:27) which the rabbis identified as the schools of Shem and Ever, studying the Torah traditions that were transmitted even before the Revelation at Sinai. From their lives we were privileged to witness magnificent illustrations of the three ideals of the Mishnah.\n\nThe day when Abraham welcomed the three strangers – in reality angels, but perceived as passing Arab travelers – would many years later, by a remarkable “coincidence” of the calendar, become celebrated as Passover. Indeed, according to the Midrash, Abraham with divine intuition observed this holiday years before it was given to the Jewish people!\n\nIn a sense, Passover is Abraham’s holiday. Just as Abraham was deeply moved to intercede in order to prevent the pain and suffering of fellow human beings, God too intervened to redeem the Jews from the slavery in Egypt. The predominant characteristic of kindness which marked our founding father was more than matched by the divine compassion demonstrated by our father in heaven at the time of the Exodus.\n\nHow fitting therefore that the Seder takes note of this link by having us emulate Abraham’s invitation to strangers.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/si/Haggadah-Insights-to-Share-at-the-Seder.html", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Maggid - Beginning", "slug": "maggid-beginning" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 133, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The Invitation to Guests: Extra Wisdom | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/invitation-guests-extra-wisdom", "og:title": "The Invitation to Guests: Extra Wisdom | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "food-body-food-soul", "title": "Food for the body, food for the soul", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "The Seder begins with an invitation. We cannot truly rejoice with our family while we forsake those who are not as fortu...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "The Seder begins with an invitation. We cannot truly rejoice with our family while we forsake those who are not as fortunate. “All who are hungry, let them come and eat with us; all who are needy, let them come and observe the Passover with us.”\n\n“All who are hungry” and “All who are needy” – what is the difference between them? Aren’t the needy those who have no food, the very same ones already described as the hungry?\n\nIt appears the text is suggesting that there are two different kinds of deprivation to which we need to be sensitive. The hungry are those who lack physical nourishment. It is their stomachs which need to be filled. The needy are those who desperately require spiritual sustenance. It is their souls that beg to be sustained so that their lives may have meaning.\n\nThere are two – and only two – blessings which have their source in the Torah. The first is on food. When we complete a meal we are commanded – “and you will eat and you will be sated and you shall bless the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10). The second is for the study of Torah – “For I will proclaim the name of the Lord [the Torah], and you will ascribe greatness unto our God [with a blessing] (Deuteronomy 32:3).] Why precisely these two? Because a human being is a combination of body and soul and both of these components require nourishment in order to survive. Food is what allows us to live; Torah is what gives us a reason for living. Food sustains our bodies; Torah sustains our souls. Both are essential. That is why both require a blessing.\n\nAnd that is also why we invite two kinds of disadvantaged. The hungry are those who lack food. For them we provide physical nourishment. The needy are those who seek meaning to their lives and who thirst for the peace of mind that comes from faith and commitment to Torah. Let both be a part of our Seder and become sated.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/si/Haggadah-Insights-to-Share-at-the-Seder.html", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Introduction", "slug": "introduction" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 125, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Food for the body, food for the soul | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/food-body-food-soul", "og:title": "Food for the body, food for the soul | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "four-children-323", "title": "The four children", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "Four times we recite the Hebrew word Baruch, blessed. Immediately after that we list four kinds of sons. The implicati...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "Four times we recite the Hebrew word Baruch, blessed. Immediately after that we list four kinds of sons. The implication is clear. Our children may all be different but every one of them remains a blessing. Even the “wicked son” is not to be despised; he is to be treasured as someone who has not yet chosen the right path.\n\nThe Sequence of the Four Sons\n\nThe list of the four sons does not seem to follow a logical order. The two extremes, the wise and the wicked, ought to be at the ends with the other two in the center. What is the rationale for the sequence in which they are presented?\n\nPerhaps the reason is that we follow the simple rule of respecting age. The oldest is mentioned first, the youngest last. With that as our guide, the sequence makes perfect sense. The last, the youngest, is one who does not even know enough to ask. That is the child who is hardly old enough to speak. It is followed by the simple son, the one whose limited intelligence permits them only to ask “what is this?” The one who is older still is the child of rebellious teenage years, going through a stage in which his striving for independence makes it difficult for him to accept parental values and guidance.\n\nIt is one of the universal blessings that as children come to greater maturity they find the wisdom to acknowledge that their parents are not as stupid as they came to believe when they were teenagers. In the words of Mark Twain, “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”\n\nTherefore the four sons may in fact be four stages in the life of one person, stages that take us from infancy through childishness, onto rebelliousness and finally to true wisdom.\n\nThe Wise and the Wicked\n\nThe word “wise” has to do with the intellect. The word “wicked” speaks of morality. How can they possibly be used as opposites? One could speak of the wise and the foolish or of the righteous and the wicked. The wise and the wicked aren’t logical counterparts.\n\nBut perhaps they are, according to a remarkable Talmudic insight. What is the cause of sin? The Sages answer, based on an ingenious inference from a biblical text, that “A person does not sin unless overtaken by a spirit of foolishness.” Sin, more than a moral failing, is an act of stupidity. Its most powerful opponent is wisdom. The wise will choose not to be wicked. The Torah places its greatest hope for perfecting man’s character by way of study. That is the best way in which the wicked son can be transformed into a wise son.\n\nMay our understanding of these ideas and our fulfillment of these concepts insure for us the <a href=\"http://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/\">Passover</a> holiday filled with meaning and divine blessings.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.aish.com/h/pes/t/si/Haggadah-Insights-to-Share-at-the-Seder.html", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "-- Four Children", "slug": "four-children" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 150, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The four children | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/four-children-323", "og:title": "The four children | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "nature-matzah", "title": "The Nature of Matzah", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "Question: Is it really necessary more than 3000 years on to still commemorate our ancestors' freedom from slavery in Eg...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": " Question: \n\nIs it really necessary more than 3000 years on to still commemorate our ancestors' freedom from slavery in Egypt? Can't we move on to more pressing and contemporary issues?\n\n Answer: \n\nMy friend, you are reading the wrong Haggada. The Seder is not just a memorial to events of the distant past - it is a dynamic process of freedom from the challenges of the present.\n\nWe are slaves. Slaves to our own inhibitions, fears, habits, cynicism and prejudices. These self-appointed pharaohs are layers of ego that prevent us from expressing our true inner self, from reaching our spiritual potential. Our souls are incarcerated in selfishness, laziness and indifference.\n\nPesach means \"Passover.\" It is the season of liberation, when we pass over all these obstacles to inner freedom. On Pesach, we give our souls a chance to be expressed.\n\nHow do we free ourselves? By eating Matza. After eating Matza, the Israelites were able to run out of Egypt and follow G‑d into the desert. Because Matza represents the suspension of ego. Unlike bread, which has body and taste, Matza is flat and tasteless - the bread of surrender.\n\nUsually, we are scared to suspend our egos, because we think that we will lose ourselves. On Pesach we eat the Matza, we suspend our egos and find ourselves - our true selves.\n\nThis night is different from all other nights, because on this night we let ourselves go, we liberate our souls to follow G‑d unashamed. We say, \"I may not understand what this means, but I have a Jewish soul, and somehow that is the deepest layer of my identity.\"\n\nThat soul is the innocent child within us is waiting to be free. This Pesach, let's allow that child to sing:\n\nMa Nishtana Halayla Hazeh...\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/492111/jewish/The-Real-Haggadah.htm", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Motzi-Matzah", "slug": "motzi-matzah" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 152, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The Nature of Matzah | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/nature-matzah", "og:title": "The Nature of Matzah | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "next-year-jerusalem-48", "title": "Next Year in Jerusalem", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "Question: Here’s one I always wanted to know. We traditionally end the Passover Seder with the wish, “Next Year in Jeru...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": " Question: \n\nHere’s one I always wanted to know. We traditionally end the Passover Seder with the wish, “Next Year in Jerusalem!” What if you’re living in Jerusalem? Do you say, “This year in Jerusalem!” or just leave that line out?\n\n Answer: \n\nYou can be miles away from Jerusalem even while living there. And you can be on the other side of the world but only a step away. Because Jerusalem is much more than a city. It’s an ideal that we are struggling to reach.\n\nThe Jewish story can be summed up as a long journey from Egypt to Jerusalem. Beyond being just geographical locations, they symbolize two opposite spiritual states. The journey from Egypt to Jerusalem is a spiritual odyssey. Both as a nation and as individuals, we have always been leaving the slavery of Egypt and heading towards the freedom of the Promised Land. By analyzing the psychological Egypt and the inner Jerusalem, we will see how this is a road that we are still traveling.\n\nThe Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which means limitations, restrictions, obstacles. It represents a state in which our souls are trapped in our bodies, enslaved to material desires and tied down to physical limitations. It is a world in which righteousness, justice and holiness are held captive to corruption, selfishness and egotism.\n\nJerusalem means “the city of peace”—a place of peace between body and soul, heaven and earth, the ideal and reality. When our body becomes not a prison for the soul but rather a vehicle for the soul’s expression; when we live our lives according to our ideals rather than our cravings; when the world values goodness and generosity over selfish gain—then we are in Jerusalem, we are at peace with ourselves and the world.\n\nImagine you are in your car, stuck in heavy traffic. You are late for an important meeting, and you see someone struggling to enter your lane from a side street. You are faced with a choice: to be kind and let them in, or to remain preoccupied with your own pressing needs and drive on.\n\nIf you do not allow them in, justifying yourself by thinking of how late you are, then you’re still in Egypt; your selfishness has overtaken your goodness.\n\nIf you overcome your concern for your own needs and let them in, you have just left Egypt. You allowed your innate goodness to prevail over your instinctive selfishness. You’re out of Egypt, but you’re not yet in Jerusalem.\n\nIn Jerusalem, you would automatically want to let them in. Your important meeting would pale into insignificance in comparison with an opportunity to do a favor for another person. You wouldn’t have to conquer your selfish nature; your nature would itself be kind and selfless. There would be no need for a battle to do good in the city of inner peace; it would come naturally. I don’t know about you, but I am not there yet.\n\nThe Jewish people were born in Egypt, in slavery. But they were told that on the other side of a vast desert lies their destiny, their Promised Land. As our forefathers walked out of Egypt--3323 years and some-odd weeks ago--they were taking the first steps of a long journey to Jerusalem. Every generation since has pushed further forward along the road to Jerusalem. The journey continues with us. But we haven’t got there yet. Even if you are living in the city called Jerusalem, as long as there remains suffering, injustice and unholiness in the world, we haven’t reached the Promised Land. As long as we remain slaves to our own negative instincts and selfish desires, we are still struggling to truly leave Egypt.\n\nAs we sit at the Seder, we note that another year has gone by, and we have yet to complete the journey. But we are getting there. We are that much closer to the Promised Land than we were last year. We have advanced a few more steps in a march to freedom that has spanned generations.\n\nPerhaps this year, our efforts to better ourselves and our world will bring the fulfillment of the words of the Haggadah:\n\n This year we are here, next year we will be in the Land of Israel. This year we are slaves, next year we will be free. \n\nNext year in Jerusalem . . . literally.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/492832/jewish/Next-Year-in-Jerusalem.htm", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Nirtzah", "slug": "nirtzah" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 161, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Next Year in Jerusalem | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/next-year-jerusalem-48", "og:title": "Next Year in Jerusalem | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "our-passover-things-14", "title": "Our Passover Things", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~To the tune of Our Favorite Things from The Sound of Music~ Cleaning and cooking and so many dishes Out with the chamet...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~To the tune of Our Favorite Things from The Sound of Music~\n\n\n\nCleaning and cooking and so many dishes\n\nOut with the chametz, no pasta, no knishes\n\nFish that's gefilted, horseradish that stings\n\nThese are a few of our Passover things\n\n\n\nMatzah and karpas and chopped up charoset,\n\nShank bones and kiddish and Yiddish neuroses,\n\nTante who kvetches and uncle who sings,\n\nThese are a few of our Passover things\n\n\n\nMotzi and marror and trouble with Pharohs\n\nFamines and locusts and slaves with wheelbarrows\n\nMatzah balls floating and eggshell that clings\n\nThese are a few of our Passover things\n\n\n\nWhen the plagues strike\n\nWhen the lice bite\n\nWhen we’re feeling sad\n\nWe simply remember our Passover things\n\nAnd then we don’t feel so bad\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 145, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Our Passover Things | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/our-passover-things-14", "og:title": "Our Passover Things | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "theres-no-seder-our-seder-14", "title": "There's No Seder Like Our Seder", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the Tune of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” There’s no seder like our seder There’s no seder I know Everyt...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the Tune of “There’s No Business Like Show Business”\n\n\n\nThere’s no seder like our seder\n\nThere’s no seder I know\n\nEverything about it is halachic!\n\nNothing that the torah won’t allow\n\nListen how we read the whole hagaddah\n\nIt’s all in Hebrew, ‘cause we know how!\n\n\n\nThere’s no seder like our seder\n\nWe tell a tale that is swell\n\nMoses took the people out into the head\n\nThey baked the matzah standing on their feet\n\nNow isn’t that a story that just can’t be beat\n\nLet’s go on with the show!\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 195, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "There's No Seder Like Our Seder | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/theres-no-seder-our-seder-14", "og:title": "There's No Seder Like Our Seder | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "take-us-out-egypt-11", "title": "Take Us Out of Egypt", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” Take us out of Egypt, Free us from slavery Bake us some matzah in a hast...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the tune of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”\n\n\n\nTake us out of Egypt,\n\nFree us from slavery\n\nBake us some matzah in a haste\n\nDon’t worry about flavor\n\nGive no thought to taste\n\nFor it’s rush, rush, rush to the Red Sea\n\nIf we don’t cross it’s a shame\n\nFor it’s 10 plagues down and you’re out\n\nAt the Pesach game!\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 211, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Take Us Out of Egypt | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/take-us-out-egypt-11", "og:title": "Take Us Out of Egypt | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "elijah-56", "title": "Elijah", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tune of “Maria”~ Elijah! I just saw the prophet Elijah! And suddenly that name Will never sound the same to me...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the tune of “Maria”~\n\n\n\nElijah!\n\nI just saw the prophet Elijah!\n\nAnd suddenly that name\n\nWill never sound the same to me\n\nElijah!\n\nHe came to our seder\n\nElijah!\n\nHe had is cup of wine\n\nBut could not stay to dine\n\nThis year –\n\n\n\nElijah~\n\nFor your message all Jews are waiting\n\nThat the time’s come for peace and not hating\n\nElijah\n\nNext year we’ll be waiting\n\nElijah!\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 182, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Elijah | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/elijah-56", "og:title": "Elijah | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "just-tad-charoset-7", "title": "Just a Tad of Charoset", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tune of “Just a Spoon Full of Sugar” Chorus Just a tad of charoset helps the bitter herbs go down The b...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the tune of “Just a Spoon Full of Sugar”\n\n\n\n Chorus \n\n\n\nJust a tad of charoset helps the bitter herbs go down\n\nThe bitter herbs go down, the bitter herbs go down\n\nJust a tad of charoset helps the bitter herbs go down\n\nIn the most disguising way\n\n\n\nOh back in Egypt long ago,\n\nThe Jews were slaves under Pharohs\n\nThey sweat and toiled and labored through the day\n\nSo when we gather Pesach night\n\nWe do what we think is right\n\nMaror, we chew, to feel what they went through!\n\n\n\n Chorus \n\n\n\nSo after years of slavery\n\nThey saw no chance of being free\n\nTheir suffering is the only life they knew\n\nBut baby Moses grew up tall\n\nAn said he’s save them all.\n\nHe did, and yet,\n\nWe swear we won’t forget\n\nThat…\n\n\n\n Chorus \n\n\n\nWhile the marror is being passed\n\nWe all refill our water glass\n\nPreparing for the taste that turns us red\n\nAlthough marror seems full of minuses\n\nIT sure does clear our sinuses\n\nBu what’s to do?\n\nIt’s hard to be a Jew!\n\n\n\n Chorus \n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 198, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Just a Tad of Charoset | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/just-tad-charoset-7", "og:title": "Just a Tad of Charoset | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "ballad-four-sons-26", "title": "The Ballad of the Four Sons", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tune of “Clementine” ~ Said the father to his children At the seder you will dine You will eat your fill of mat...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the tune of “Clementine” ~\n\n\n\nSaid the father to his children\n\nAt the seder you will dine\n\nYou will eat your fill of matzah\n\nYou will drink four cups of wine\n\n\n\nNow this father had no daughters\n\nBut his sons they numbered four\n\nOne was wise and one was wicked\n\nOne was simple and a bore\n\n\n\nAnd the fourth was sweet and winsome\n\nHe was young and he was small\n\nWhile his brother asked the questions\n\nHe could scarcely speak at all\n\n\n\nSaid the wise one to his father\n\n“Would you please explain the laws?\n\nOf the customs of the seder\n\nWill you please explain the cause”\n\n\n\nAnd the father proudly answered\n\n“As our fathers ate in speed,\n\nAte the paschal lamb ‘ere midnight\n\nAnd from slavery we were freed\n\n\n\n“So we follow their example\n\nAnd ‘ere midnight must complete\n\nAll the seder and we should not\n\nAfter 12 remain to eat”\n\n\n\nThen did sneer the son so wicked\n\n“What does all this mean to you?”\n\nAnd his father’s voice was bitter\n\nAs his grief and anger grew\n\n \n“If yourself you don’t consider\n\nAs a son of Israel,\n\nThen for you this has no meaning\n\nYou could be a slave as well.”\n\n\n\nThen the simple son said simply\n\n“What is this,” and quietly\n\nThe good father told his offspring\n\n“We were freed from slavery”\n\n\n\nBut the youngest son was silent\n\nFor he could not ask at all\n\nHis eyes were bright with wonder\n\nAs his father told him all\n\n\n\nMy dear children, heed the lesson\n\nAnd remember evermore\n\nWhat the father told his children\n\nTold his sons that numbered four\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 226, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The Ballad of the Four Sons | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/ballad-four-sons-26", "og:title": "The Ballad of the Four Sons | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "other-passover-song", "title": "The Other Passover Song", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tune of “My Favorite Things” Dry angel cakes that taste nearly not quite right Canned macaroons looking good in...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "\n\n~ To the tune of “My Favorite Things”\n\n\n\nDry angel cakes that taste nearly not quite right\n\nCanned macaroons looking good in the right light\n\nBreads which don’t rise and about which we sing\n\nThese are a few of our unleavened things\n\n\n\nMoon-shaped and jellied, those candies turn real hard\n\nThe taste of the cereal, like the boxes we discard\n\nMatzah ball soup, to our stomach it clings\n\nThese are a few of our unleavened things.\n\nWhen the night comes and I eat tons, and I’m feeling fat\n\nI simply remember they’re Pesadik things\n\nAnd my tummy feels… more flat!\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 207, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "The Other Passover Song | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/other-passover-song", "og:title": "The Other Passover Song | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "brisket-melody", "title": "Brisket Melody", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "~ To the tine of “Windy” ~ When we do serve on every occasion? What will we eat this Passover night? What kind of beef j...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "~ To the tine of “Windy” ~\n\n\n\nWhen we do serve on every occasion? What will we eat this Passover night?\n\nWhat kind of beef just spells “celebration?” Everyone knows it’s brisket.\n\n\n\nAnd brisket is quick to make, just wrap it in foil and bake\n\nMake extra for goodness sake. It freezes well, it freezes well!\n\n\n\nWhat makes a vegetarian think twice? What cut of beef do cows want to be?\n\nWhat really was the mannah from heaven? Everyone knows it’s brisket.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 247, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Brisket Melody | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/brisket-melody", "og:title": "Brisket Melody | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "let-my-people-go-75", "title": "Let My People Go", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "When Israel was in Egypt land Let my people go! Oppressed so hard they could not stand Let my people go! Go down, Moses!...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "When Israel was in Egypt land\n\nLet my people go!\n\nOppressed so hard they could not stand\n\nLet my people go!\n\n\n\nGo down, Moses!\n\nWay down in Egypt land\n\nTell old Pharoh\n\nLet my people go!\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 191, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Let My People Go | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/let-my-people-go-75", "og:title": "Let My People Go | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "echad-mi-yodea-25", "title": "Echad Mi Yodea", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "אֶחָד מִי יוֹדֵעַ. אֶחָד אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ שְׁנַיִם מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁנַיִם אֲנִי...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "אֶחָד מִי יוֹדֵעַ. אֶחָד אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nשְׁנַיִם מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁנַיִם אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nשְׁלשָׁה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁלשָׁה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nאַרְבַּע מִי יוֹדֵעַ. אַרְבַּע אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nחֲמִשָּׂה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. חֲמִשָּׂה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nשִׁשָּׁה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שִׁשָּׁה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. שִׁשָּׁה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nשִׁבְעָה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שִׁבְעָה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי שַׁבַּתָּא. שִׁשָּׁה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nשְׁמוֹנָה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁמוֹנָה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. שְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי מִילָה שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי שַׁבַּתָּא. שִׁשָּׁה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nתִּשְׁעָה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. תִּשְׁעָה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. תִּשְׁעָה יַרְחֵי לֵידָה. שְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי מִילָה שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי שַׁבַּתָּא. שִׁשָּׁה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n\nעֲשָׂרָה מִי יוֹדֵעַ. עֲשָׂרָה אֲנִי יוֹדֵעַ. עֲשָׂרָה דִּבְּרַיָּא. תִּשְׁעָה יַרְחֵי לֵידָה. שְׁמוֹנָה יְמֵי מִילָה שִׁבְעָה יְמֵי שַׁבַּתָּא. שִׁשָּׁה סִדְרֵי מִשְׁנָה. חֲמִשָּׂה חֻמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה. אַרְבַּע אִמָּהוֹת. שְׁלשָׁה אָבוֹת. שְׁנֵי לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִית. אֶחָד אֱלֹהֵינוּ שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָרֶץ\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 195, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Echad Mi Yodea | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/echad-mi-yodea-25", "og:title": "Echad Mi Yodea | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "one-little-goat-0", "title": "One Little Goat", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "One little goat, one little goat, my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. Then came a cat that...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "One little goat, one little goat,\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came a cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came a dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came a stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came a fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came some water\n\nthat quenched the fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came a cow\n\nthat drank the water\n\nthat quenched the fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came the butcher\n\nthat slaughtered the cow\n\nthat drank the water\n\nthat quenched the fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen cam the angel of death\n\nthat killed the butcher\n\nthat slaughtered the cow\n\nthat drank the water\n\nthat quenched the fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat.\n\n\n\nThen came The Holy One, Blessed be He\n\nthat slew the angel of death\n\nthat killed the butcher\n\nthat slaughtered the cow\n\nthat drank the water\n\nthat quenched the fire\n\nthat burned the stick\n\nthat hit the dog\n\nthat bit the cat\n\nthat ate the goat\n\nmy father bought for two zuzim.\n\nOne little goat, one little goat. \n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 218, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "One Little Goat | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/one-little-goat-0", "og:title": "One Little Goat | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "chad-gadya-110", "title": "Chad Gadya", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Songs", "slug": "songs" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 195, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Chad Gadya | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/chad-gadya-110", "og:title": "Chad Gadya | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "kiddush-hebrew-english", "title": "Kiddush Hebrew & English", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "When the festival occurs on Shabbat, start here: Prepare the meal of the supernal King. This is the meal of the Holy On...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": " When the festival occurs on Shabbat, start here: \n\nPrepare the meal of the supernal King. This is the meal of the Holy One, blessed be He, and His Shechinah. \nThe sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. And on the seventh day G‑d finished His work which He had made, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And G‑d blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work which G‑d created to make.\n\n When the festival begins on a weekday begin here: \n\nAttention Gentlemen:\n\nBlessed are You, L-rd, our G‑d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.\n\nBlessed are You, G‑d, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has chosen us from among all people, and raised us above all tongues, and made us holy through His commandments. And You, G‑d, our G‑d, have given us in love ( On Shabbat add the shaded words: Shabbaths for rest and festivals for happiness, feasts and festive seasons for rejoicing this Shabbat-day) and the day of this Feast of Matzot and this Festival of holy convocation, the Season of our Freedom in love, a holy convocation, commemorating the departure from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us from all the nations, and You have given us as a heritage Your holy Shabbat and Festivals in love and favor, in happiness and joy. Blessed are You, G‑d, who sanctifies the Shabbat and Israeland the festive seasons.\n\n When the festival falls on Saturday night add the following: \n\nBlessed are You, G‑d, our G‑d, King of the universe, who creates the lights of fire. \nBlessed are You, G‑d, our G‑d, King of the universe, who makes a distinction between sacred and profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six work-days. You have made a distinction between the holiness of the Shabbat and the holiness of the festival, and You have sanctified the seventh day above the six work-days. You have set apart and made holy Your people Israel with Your holiness. Blessed are You, G‑d, who makes a distinction between holy and holy.\n\nBlessed are You, G‑d, our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.\n\n Drink the cup of wine while seated, reclining on the left side as a sign of freedom. \n", "cliptype": "image", "clipsource": "Chabad.org", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/165610/Screen-Shot-2018-03-26-at-10.02.52-PM.png", "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/165610/conversions/Screen-Shot-2018-03-26-at-10.02.52-PM-cover.jpg", "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Kadesh", "slug": "kadesh" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 226, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Kiddush Hebrew & English | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/kiddush-hebrew-english", "og:title": "Kiddush Hebrew & English | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/165610/conversions/Screen-Shot-2018-03-26-at-10.02.52-PM-cover.jpg" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "urchatz-360", "title": "Urchatz", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "Water is refreshing, cleansing, and clear, so it’s easy to understand why so many cultures and religions use water for s...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "Water is refreshing, cleansing, and clear, so it’s easy to understand why so many cultures and religions use water for symbolic purification. We will wash our hands twice during our seder: now, with no blessing, to get us ready for the rituals to come; and then again later, we’ll wash again with a blessing, preparing us for the meal, which Judaism thinks of as a ritual in itself. \n\nToo often during our daily lives we don’t stop and take the moment to prepare for whatever it is we’re about to do. Let's pause to consider what we hope to get out of our evening together tonight.\n", "cliptype": "text", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": null, "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": null, "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Urchatz", "slug": "urchatz" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 184, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Urchatz | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/urchatz-360", "og:title": "Urchatz | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } } }, { "clip": { "is_admin": 0, "is_owner": 0, "handle": "yachatz-390", "title": "Yachatz", "author": "Talia Evans", "author_handle": "taliaevans145405", "author_initials": "TE", "covertext": "There are three pieces of matzah stacked on the table. We now break the middle matzah into two pieces. The host should w...", "user_image": "", "user_image_original": "", "body": "There are three pieces of matzah stacked on the table. We now break the middle matzah into two pieces. The host should wrap up the larger of the pieces and, at some point between now and the end of dinner, hide it. This piece is called the afikomen, literally “dessert” in Greek. After dinner, the guests will have to hunt for the afikomen in order to wrap up the meal… and win a prize.\n\nWe eat matzah in memory of the quick flight of our ancestors from Egypt. As slaves, they had faced many false starts before finally being let go. So when the word of their freedom came, they took whatever dough they had and ran with it before it had the chance to rise, leaving it looking something like matzah.\n\nUncover and hold up the three pieces of matzah and say:\n\nהָא לַחְמָא עַנְיָא דִי אֲכָלוּ אַבְהָתָנָא בְּאַרְעָא דְמִצְרָיִם. כָּל דִכְפִין יֵיתֵי וְיֵיכֹל, כָּל דִצְרִיךְ יֵיתֵי וְיִפְסַח. הָשַׁתָּא הָכָא, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. הָשַׁתָּא עַבְדֵי, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּנֵי חוֹרִין.\n\nHa lachma anya dee achalu avhatana b'ara d'meetzrayeem. Kol deechfeen yeitei v'yeichol, kol deetzreech yeitei v'yeefsach. Hashata hacha, l'shanah haba-ah b'ara d'yisra-el. Hashata avdei, l'shanah haba-ah b'nei choreen.\n\nThis is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy, come and celebrate Passover with us. This year we are here; next year we will be in Israel. This year we are slaves; next year we will be free.\n\nThese days, matzah is a special food and we look forward to eating it on Passover. Imagine eating only matzah, or being one of the countless people around the world who don’t have enough to eat.\n\nWhat does the symbol of matzah say to us about oppression in the world, both people literally enslaved and the many ways in which each of us is held down by forces beyond our control. Contemplate how this resonates with events happening now.\n\nRefill the wine cups, but don’t drink yet.\n", "cliptype": "image", "clipsource": "", "featured": 0, "featuredIn": null, "is_public": 1, "is_published": 1, "media": { "image": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/154064/ha%20lachma.jpg", "audio": null, "video": null }, "thumbnail": "https://assets.haggadot.com/clips/154064/conversions/ha%20lachma-cover.jpg", "clip_section": [ { "haggadah_section": "Yachatz", "slug": "yachatz" } ], "likes": 0, "downloads": 206, "tags": [], "themes": [], "language": "0", "is_bookmarked": "0", "is_liked": 0, "meta_tags": { "title": "Yachatz | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. 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Find artwork, family", "keywords": "", "og:type": "article", "og:url": "https://www.haggadot.com/clip/pesach-matzah-marror-4", "og:title": "Pesach, Matzah, Marror | Passover haggadah by Talia Evans", "og:description": "Our simple platform allows you to create a custom Passover Haggadah, with access to unique content contributed by our community. Find artwork, family", "og:image": "" } }

Haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu

We have now told the story of Passover…but wait! We’re not quite done. There are still some symbols on our seder plate we haven’t talked about yet. Rabban Gamliel would say that whoever didn’t explain the shank bone, matzah, and marror (or bitter herbs) hasn’t done Passover justice.

The shank bone represents the Pesach, the special lamb sacrifice made in the days of the Temple for the Passover holiday. It is called the pesach, from the Hebrew word meaning “to pass over,” because the Holy One, blessed be He passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt during the last plague of the slaying of the first born.

On that first Passover night in Egypt, the Jews put blood on the door posts, and the Angel of Death "passed over" the Jewish houses. Actually most people think the blood was on the outside of the door, but really the blood was on the inside. The Jews sat there that night, staring at the blood. They had a lot to think about. They were going to walk out of Egypt the next morning and enter into a covenant with Hashem.

Why do we use a lamb? What is the significance of eating an animal for the purpose of remembering such an event? While we were slaves under the Egyptians for 400 years, we became dominated by the Egyptian culture. It is said that we only retained three things after a 400 year enslavement: our clothing, our names, and our Hebrew language. As we know from the last plague, the first born has a tremendous value in Egyptian culture. Our exodus was scheduled for the month of Nissan, and the astrological symbol of the month of Nissan is Aries, the Ram. The 15th day is the apex of a lunar month, and so the slaughtering of the ram-god of the Egyptians was to be done on the evening of the full moon of it's very own month (ostensibly the height of it's powers). The Egyptians would be powerless to prevent it!

We go so far as to call the shabbat before passover Shabbat Hagadol, "the great shabbat". This is the day that Hashem commanded the jews to tie the offering four days before it was slaughtered. As the Jews were going around Egypt collecting lambs on a Saturday, the Egyptians started asking questions. The Jewish response that they were for the purpose of slaughter, ritual, and consumption was like flaunting their intentions in the faces of their Egyptian neighbors and oppressors. Sheep were chosen precisely because they were taboo to the Egyptians and any attempt to slaughter them would be resisted forcefully. It was as though we were daring them to interfere with us in the wake of a series of plagues against them.

When the Jews further told the Egyptians that the purpose of this ritual would be to protect every Jewish household from the upcoming plague of slaying the first-born, it actually started a civil war in Egypt. They knew that up till now, Hashem had a good track record for following through with his plagues and so they started fighting each other to try to put a stop to this madness. We call it Shabbat Hagadol because the Egyptians killed each other over this plague, and the direct result of us slaying the Egyptian god was us being able to leave the Egyptian land and the Egyptian culture following the slaying of the first-born.

So every year we consume the paschal lamb to remember that in our lives we still are slaves to a permeating culture that is not our own. What are the gods in this generation? Where do people put all the power and worship? Career, fashion, fame, status, wealth. We are all worshipping something. We are all religious. We need to ask: what are the idols I worship? Where do I give my power? We are dominated by forces that cause us to abandon our Jewish laws, customs, and ideals. We must literally slaughter the false god of these forces in order to rise above them and return to our core values. Find your idol. Then exchange it for the real thing. That is the Passover offering.

The matzah reminds us that when our ancestors were finally free to leave Egypt, there was no time to pack or prepare. Our ancestors grabbed whatever dough was made and set out on their journey, letting their dough bake into matzah as they fled. This powerful symbol of this holiday actually has a deeper meaning.

There is a common misconception that is a source of confusion around Matzah. We call it the bread of affliction, yet also ate this bread as we were redeemed from Egypt. The reason for this is that we actually ate matzah as our daily bread as slaves in Egypt. It is called the bread of affliction because our oppressors in Egypt fed us matzah because it didn't need the attention of bread, it was an act of demeaning us, and as we all experience on passover, it is a flat bread that expands in our stomachs, enabling us to feel full on an empty stomach and keep working as slaves.

Why then did we make matzah on our way out of Egypt? We actually knew we were to leave Egypt the night before we left. So couldn't we prepare leavened bread for our departure? We ate matzah even as we left Egypt because we were still humbled by slavery in Egypt. Just as the bread was flat, so too was our ego.

This flat ego would then transform into a leavened or inflated ego as we are commanded to eat leavened bread on the holiday of Shavuot -- the day which we received the Torah at mount sinai.

All throughout the year we eat bread that is leavened. We have an ego that is inflated by aspects that we think define us. Today we walk around with signs that say, "I'm a doctor," "I have washboard abs," "I have 10,000 square feet in my house." On passover however, we attempt to suspend this ego. We use matzah to recall how we were humbled by slavery for 400 years. We use this remembrance to humble ourselves with the goal of finally inflating our ego with pride in receiving the Torah and in being Jewish.

The bitter herbs provide a visceral reminder of the bitterness of slavery, the life of hard labor our ancestors experienced in Egypt. The Egyptians embittered our lives with hard labor: with mortar and bricks, with every kind of work in the fields. All the work which they made them do was rigorous.

In every generation one must loop upon himself as if he personally had come out from Egypt, as the Bible says: "and thau shalt tell thy son on that day, saying, it is because of that which the Eternal did for me when I went forth from Egypt." For it was not alone our forefathers whome the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed; He redeemed us too, with them, as it is said: "He brought us out from there that He might lead us to and give us the land which He pledged to our forefathers."

Raise the cup of wine and say:

Therefore, it is our duty to thank and to praise in song and prayer, to glorify and extol Him who performed all these wonders for our forefathers and for us. He brought us out from slavery to freedom, from anguish to joy, from sorrow to festivity, from darkness to great light. Let us therefore sing before Him a new song. Praise the Eternal.

Put down the cup and continue:

Halleluyah-- Praise the Eternal. Praise, ye servants of the Eternal, praise the name of the Eternal. Blessed be the name of the Eternal from now and for evermore; From the rising of the sun to its descent.

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