THE FIRST CUP OF WINE Shifra and Puah         

Shifra and Puah were the midwives who refused Pharaoh’s orders to kill

any boys born to an Israelite family. When confronted by Pharaoh, they

lied and claimed that they simply couldn’t get there before the babies were

born. These midwives risked their own lives to help save the Israelites from

destruction and genocide. They practiced civil disobedience from their

unique position of influence and refused to “just follow orders” when those

orders were unjust. We honor their resistance.

Let us all say their names together: Shifra and Puah.


haggadah Section: Kadesh