The Story of Exodus
Avadim hayyinu, hayyinu............. עבדים היינו היינו
Atah bnei chorin, bnei chorin!. ....עתה בני חורין בני חורין
Avadim hayyinu,........................... עבדים היינו
atah atah bnei chorin, bnei chorin... עתה עתה בני חורין בני חורין
We were slaves and now we are free!
עבדים היינו לפרעה במצריים, ויוציאנו יי אלוהינו משם
ביד חזקה ובזרוע נטויה
We were slaves in Egypt, and Hashem our G-d brought us out of there
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.
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Come and hear the story of our people,
The story we relive on Seder night.
How our ancestors went forth from the straights of Mitzrayim
to the open places of rejoicing and faith.
This story belongs to you and me.
An age-old story, it becomes our own
when we tell it on Seder night.
“A wandering Aramean was my father.
He went down to Mitzraim few in number.
There he became a great nation, mighty and numerous.” (Duet. 26:5)
In Egypt we discovered our distinctiveness.
Few in number, we learned that greatness is more than numbers.
“The Egyptians treated us harshly and oppressed us,
they imposed hard labor on us.” (Duet. 26:6)
Their harshness wounded us with false accusations,
with venom and hate and distrust.
“We cried out to Adonai, the God of our ancestors,
He heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil and our oppression.” (Duet. 26:7)
What did Adonai see in Mitzraim?
He saw families torn asunder, and children made to suffer.
God saw the cruelty of Egypt and the helplessness of Israel.
“So Adonai brought us out of Egypt
with a mighty hand, with an out-stretched arm,
with awe and signs and wonders.” (Duet. 26:8)
Egypt and Israel felt God’s presence
In every corner of the land.
His signs filled the earth and the sky
His wonders could be seen in every Israelite’s eye.
With a mighty hand He demanded justice for the oppressed.
With plagues and wonders he taught the Egyptians the lesson of his power.
So may God’s signs be present today
To teach us of Your justice and Your mighty acts.
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Turn to a partner (or a group of 3) and tell this story in exactly one minute. We are going to time you! We will give you time to jot down your thoughts first.
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Now, go back through the text and choose one line or detail that was left out of your summary. You can also choose a detail from any other part of the Haggadah, or any other Exodus story you know (Prince of Egypt, anyone?). Discuss the significance of the detail you chose with your partner(s).
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