Pour the second glass of wine for everyone. The Haggadah doesn’t tell the story of Passover in a linear fashion. We don’t hear of Moses being found by the daughter of Pharaoh – actually, we don’t hear much of Moses at all. Instead, we get an impressionistic collection of songs, images, and stories of both the Exodus from Egypt and from Passover celebrations through the centuries. Some say that minimizing the role of Moses keeps us focused on the miracles God...

One of most beloved songs in the Passover seder is "Dayenu". A few of us will read the stanzas one at a time, and the everyone else will respond, "Dayenu" – meaning, “it would have been enough”.How many times do we forget to pause and notice that where we are is exactly where we ought to be? Dayenu is a reminder to never forget all the miracles in our lives. When we stand and wait impatiently for the next one to...

GARLIC ON THE SEDER PLATE  Dori Midnight I began placing garlic on our seder plate a few years ago, as it has been central to my work of reconnecting to and re-enlivening Jewish folk healing traditions and a lifelong love. After the birth of Nishmat Shoom (the queer, radical, non-zionist minyan project I am part of, whose name, inspired by this work, means Breath or Soul of Garlic), many of the Garlic Eaters in our community began adopting this practice and...

CUP OF REDEMPTION At a traditional seder we fill a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah who is a symbol of redemption. At this seder we are raising a cup of water as a symbol of the redemption that women have brought through the generations. All: Water is the symbol of life. Reader: The biblical prophet Miriam saved her brother from the waters of the Nile, she led the song of victory aber the waters of the red sea parted...

THE MATZAH OF HOPE and PEACE Neal Borovitz Avadim Hayinu:  Not only were we slaves to the Pharaoh of Egypt, we have also been enslaved and persecuted by other Pharaohs.  Among these Pharaohs of every age were the Kings of Babylonia, the Emperors of Greece and Rome, the Churchmen and Nobles of Medieval Spain, Hitler and his Nazi followers, the Pharaohs of Moscow, and the dictators, potentates and terrorists of the contemporary Arab world.  The Babylonian exile was followed by a...

Our Torah is tradition's well it has a story great to tell About a time when we went free no longer slaves, now family And so each year we gather 'round to eat the foods and hear the sound of a wondrous time, its lesson true as much for our ancestors, as it is for you! On Pesach it is good and right we join together, our hearts delight We begin with joy and song a message clear and loud and...

Our seder now is set to start sweet juice from grapes to warm the heart Four cups in all, we will soon drink each time be sure, our minds should think... Of that great and awesome time... when God who's strong and wise and kind gave us freedom and good laws to bind... Each of us to one another... parent, spouse, sister, brother. The Torah tells us loud and clear just listen now, you're sure to hear Hey...Chaya, Eli, you there...

Our tale to tell, both happy and sad, like all great lore, some good, some bad On our table the symbols abound you needn't look far, they're all around Look on your plate, for parsley green a sign of Spring when it is seen. And somewhere near there is salt water, tears of slavery, hard work with mortar And so together, we now recall the green around, the tears that fall. Ba-ruch A-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-o-lam, Bo-rei pe-ree ha-a-da-mah. Oh...