Primo Levi Passover Poem

Haggadah Section: Maggid - Beginning

Passover by Primo Levi

Tell me: how is this night different, from all other nights?

How, tell me, is this Passover, different from other Passovers?

Light the lamp, open the door wide, so the pilgrim can come in,

Gentile or Jew; under the rags perhaps the prophet is concealed.

Let him enter and sit down with us; let him listen, drink, sing and celebrate Passover;

Let him consume the bread of affliction, the Paschal Lamb, sweet mortar and bitter herbs.

This is the night of differences, in which you lean your elbow on the table,

Since the forbidden becomes prescribed, evil is translated into good.

We will spend the night recounting, far-off events full of wonder,

And because of all the wine, the mountains will skip like rams.

Tonight they exchange questions: the wise, the godless, the simple-minded and the child.

And time reverses its course, today flowing back into yesterday,

Like a river enclosed at its mouth. Each of us has been a slave in Egypt,

Soaked straw and clay with sweat, and crossed the sea dry-footed.

You too, stranger. this year in fear and shame,

Next year in virtue and in justice.

Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?

Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

Have an idea
for a clip?

People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

Support Us
with your donation

Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.

OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

contributor image
Esther Kustanowitz
4 Haggadahs38 Clips
contributor image
JQ International
1 Haggadah40 Clips
contributor image
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
5 Haggadahs109 Clips
contributor image
18Doors
1 Haggadah13 Clips
contributor image
JewishBoston
1 Haggadah78 Clips
contributor image
Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
1 Haggadah36 Clips
contributor image
American Jewish World Service
1 Haggadah44 Clips
contributor image
JewBelong
3 Haggadahs57 Clips
contributor image
Repair the World
12 Clips
contributor image
HIAS
5 Haggadahs48 Clips
contributor image
Be'chol Lashon
2 Haggadahs27 Clips
contributor image
PJ Library
1 Haggadah17 Clips
contributor image
Jewish World Watch
3 Haggadahs42 Clips
contributor image
Secular Synagogue
10 Clips
contributor image
SVIVAH
1 Haggadah9 Clips
contributor image
The Blue Dove Foundation
12 Clips
contributor image
ReformJudaism.org
24 Clips
contributor image
Jewish Emergent Network
1 Haggadah22 Clips

Passover Guide

Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.

Haggadot

Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.