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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our dear friends Myron and Ronda Fersky invited us to their sederim for many years. We always enjoyed the genuine fellowship of these two beautiful people, both of blessed memory. Ronda always insisted on opening the seder singing Kadeish, Urchatz to the tune of "Deep in the Heart of Texas." She had heard it in her younger days and never forgot it. It was one of her favorite memories.
Our Passover meal is called a seder, which means “order” in Hebrew, because we go through specific steps as we retell the story of our ancestors’ liberation from slavery. Some people like to begin their seder by reciting or singing the names of the 14 steps—this will help you keep track of how far away the meal is!
The blessings below are for a weeknight. (On Shabbat we add the words in parentheses)
וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאַָם. וַיְכַל אֱלֹקִים בַּיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אוֹתוֹ כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בֶָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת
(Vay'hi erev vay'hi voker yom hashi-shi. Vay'chulu hashamayim v'ha-aretz v’choltzva’am. Vay’chal Elohim bayom hashvi’i, m'lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hashvi-i, mikol-mlachto asher asah. Vay'vareich Elohim, et-yom hashvi’i, vay'kadeish oto, ki vo shavat mikol-mlachto, asher-bara Elohim la-asot.)
(“And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Now the heavens and all their host were completed. And on the seventh day God finished His work of creation which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on that day God rested from His work and ceased creating.)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri hagafen.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל לָשׁוֹן וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה (שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה וּ) מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם (הַשַׁבָּת הַזֶה וְאֶת יוֹם) חַג הַמַצוֹת הַזֶה, זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ (בְּאַהֲבָה), מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, (וְשַׁבָּת) וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶךָ (בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן,) בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַׁבָּת וְ) יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher bachar banu mikol’am, v'rom'manu mikol-lashon, v'kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, vatiten-lanu Adonai Eloheinu b'ahavah (shabatot limnuchah u) moadim l'simchah, chagim uz'manim l'sason et-yom (hashabat hazeh v'et-yom) chag hamatzot hazeh. Z'man cheiruteinu, (b'ahavah,) mikra kodesh, zeicher litziat mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim. (v'shabat) umo’adei kod’shecha (b'ahavah uv'ratzon) b'simchah uv'sason hinchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish (h’shabbat v') Yisrael v'hazmanim.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has chosen us from among all people, and languages, and made us holy through Your mitzvot, giving us lovingly [Shabbat for rest] festivals for joy, and special times for celebration, this [Shabbat and this] Passover, this [given in love] this sacred gathering to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. You have chosen us, You have shared Your holiness with us among all other peoples. For with [Shabbat and] festive revelations of Your holiness, happiness and joy You have granted us [lovingly] joyfully the holidays. Praised are you, Adonai, Who sanctifies [Shabbat], Israel and the festivals.
On Saturday night include the following section:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמַבְדִיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחֹל, ין אוֹר לְחשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. בֵּין קְדֻשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לִקְדֻשַּׁת יוֹם טוֹב הִבְדַּלְתָּ, וְאֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה קִדַּשְׁתָּ. הִבְדַּלְתָּ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ. ,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי הַמַּבְדִיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְקֹדֶשׁ
( Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei m'orei ha-eish.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol bein or l'choshech, bein Yisrael la-amim, bein yom hashvi-i l'sheishet y'mei hama-aseh. Bein k'dushat shabat likdushat yom tov hivdalta. V'et-yom hashvi-i misheishet y'mei hama-aseh kidashta. Hivdalta v'kidashta et-am'cha yisra-eil bikdushatecha. Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh.)
(Praised are You Adonai our God Lord of the universe who created the lights of fire.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes a distinction between the holy and profane, light and darkness, Israel and the nations, Shabbat and the six workdays. You have made a distinction between the holiness of Shabbat and the holiness of the festival, and You have sanctified Shabbat above the six work-days. You have set apart and made holy Your people Israel with your holiness. Praised are you, Adonai, who distinguishes between degrees of sanctity.)
Say this Shehechiyanu blessing the first Seder night only:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶה
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam,
she’hecheyanu v'ki'manu v'higi-anu laz'man hazeh.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe,
who has sustained us, maintained us and enabled us to reach this moment in life.
We were privileged to attend sederim at the home of Cantor Uri Naor, zt"l, and his wife Sareva. Such wonderful, gracious people! Uri had a magnificent voice and a beautiful spirit. To hear him chant the Kiddush was alwys a memorable experience. How we wish we could hear him again!
Ritually wash hands without reciting the blessing. The need for hand washing before eating vegetables is no longer a ritual requirement, however, it is included here in the traditional Seder.
Take less than a kezayit (the volume of one olive) of the karpas, dip it into salt-water, and recite the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p’ri ha’adamah.
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.
Take the middle matzah and break it into two, one piece larger than the other.
The larger piece is set aside to serve as Afikoman. This is traditionally hidden, by the leader of the Seder for the children to “steal” or “find” and then ransom for a something at the end of the Seder.
The smaller piece is put back, between the two matzot. This smaller piece, along with the top matzah is what will be used for the “Motzi-Matzah” and “Korech”
Maggid – Beginning
מגיד
Raise the tray with the matzot and say:
הָא 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.
Ha 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.
This is the bread of affliction, which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need, come and share the Pesach meal. This year, we are here. Next year, in the land of Israel. This year, we are slaves. Next year, we will be free.
Refill the wine cups, but don’t drink yet.
Maggid – Four Questions
מַהנִּשְּׁתַּנָה
?מַה נִּשְּׁתַּנָה הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילוֹת
Mah nish-ta-na ha-lai-lah ha-zeh mikol ha-lei-lot?
Why is this night of Passover different from all other nights of the year?
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה, הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה - כּוּלוֹ מַצָּה
She-b'chol ha-lei-lot anu och'lin cha-meitz u-matzah. Ha-laylah hazeh kulo matzah.
On all other nights, we eat either leavened or unleavened bread, why on this night do we eat only matzah?
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר
Sheb'chol ha-lei-lot anu och'lin sh'ar y'rakot. Ha-lai-lah h-azeh maror.
On all other nights, we eat vegetables of all kinds, why on this night must we eat bitter herbs?
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אֶנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּעַם אֶחָת, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעָמִים
Sheb'chol ha-lei-lot ein anu mat-beelin afee-lu pa-am echat.Ha-lai-lah hazeh sh'tei p'ameem.
On all other nights, we do not dip vegetables even once,
why on this night do we dip greens into salt water and bitter herbs into sweet haroset?
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין, - הַלַּיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָנו מְסֻ
Sheb’khol ha-lei-lot anu och-leem bein yo-shveen u-vein m’su-been, ha-lailah hazeh kulanu m’subeen.
On all other nights, everyone sits up straight at the table, why on this night do we recline and eat at leisure?
בָּרוּךְ הַמָּקוֹם, בָּרוּךְ הוּא. בָּרוּךְ שֶׁנָּתַן תּוֹרָה לְעַמּוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל, בָּרוּךְ הוּא
כְּנֶגֶד אַרְבָּעָה בָנִים דִּבְּרָה תּוֹרָה . אֶחָד חָכָם, וְאֶחָד רָשָׁע, וְאֶחָד תָּם, וְאֶחָד שֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ לִשְׁאוֹל
Baruch hamakom, baruch hu. Baruch shenatan torah l'amo yisra-eil, baruch hu.
K'neged arba-ah vanim dib'rah torah. Echad chacham, v'echad rasha, v'echad tam, v'echad she-eino yodei-a lishol
The Torah speaks of four types of children: one is wise, one is wicked, one is simple, and one does not know how to ask.
חָכָם מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מַה הָעֵדוֹת וְהַחֻקִּים וְהַמִשְׁפָּטִים אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ אֶתְכֶם? וְאַף אַתָּה אֱמָר לוֹ כְּהִלְכוֹת הַפֶּסַח: אֵין מַפְטִירִין אַחַר הַפֶּסַח אֲפִיקוֹמָן.
Chacham mah hu omeir? Mah ha-eidot v'hachukim v'hamishpatim, asher tzivah Adonai Eloheinu etchem? V'af atah emor lo k'hilchot hapesach. Ein maftirin achar hapesach afikoman.
The Wise One asks: "What is the meaning of the laws and traditions God has commanded?" (Deuteronomy 6:20) You should teach him all the traditions of Passover, even to the last detail.
רָשָׁע מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מָה הָעֲבֹדָה הַזֹּאת לָכֶם? לָכֶם - וְלֹא לוֹ. וּלְפִי שֶׁהוֹצִיא אֶת עַצְמוֹ מִן הַכְּלָל כָּפַר בְּעִקָּר
.וְאַף אַתָּה הַקְהֵה אֶת שִנָּיו וֶאֱמֹר לוֹ: בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יי לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם. לִי - וְלֹא לוֹ. אִילּוּ הָיָה שָׁם, לֹא הָיָה נִגְאָל
Rasha, mah hu omer? Mah ha-avodah ha-zot lachem? Lachem v’lo lo. Ul'fi shehotzi et atzmo min hak'lal, kafar ba-ikar. V'af atah hakheih et shinav, ve-emor lo. Ba-avur zeh, asah Adonai li, b'tzeiti mimitzrayim, li v'lo lo. Ilu hayah sham, lo hayah nigal.
The Wicked One asks: "What does this ritual mean to you?" (Exodus 12:26) By using the expression "to you" he excludes himself from his people and denies God. Shake his arrogance and say to him: "It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt..." (Exodus 13:8) "For me" and not for him -- for had he been in Egypt, he would not have been freed.
תָּם מָה הוּא אוֹמֵר? מַה זֹּאת? וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו: בְּחֹזֶק יָד הוֹצִיאָנוּ יי מִמִּצְרָיִם, מִבֵּית עֲבָדִים
Tam mah hu omeir? Mah zot? V'amarta eilav. B'chozek yad hotzi-anu Adonai mimitzrayim mibeit avadim.
The Simple One asks: "What is all this?" You should tell him: "It was with a mighty hand that the Lord took us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."
ושֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ לִשְׁאוֹל - אַתְּ פְּתַח לוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְהִגַּדְתָּ לְבִנְךָ בַּיוֹם הַהוּא לֵאמֹר, בַּעֲבוּר זֶה עָשָׂה יי לִי בְּצֵאתִי מִמִּצְרָיִם
V'she-eino yodei-a lishol, at p'tach lo. Shene-emar. V'higadta l'vincha, bayom hahu leimor.
Ba-avur zeh asah Adonai li, b'tzeiti mimitzrayim.
As for the One Who Does Not Know How To Ask, you should open the discussion for him, as it is written: "And you shall explain to your child on that day, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt." (Exodus 13:8)
A young man named Jeff Llewellyn was invited to a seder where David was leading the service. The we used the drama below to highlight the story of the four children. David assigned Jeff the part of the "Wicked Child." Jeff accepted with good humor and gave a very dramatic - and memorable - performance. Incidentally, Jeff went on to become president of the synagogue to which we belong.
The Wise Child
(Enters and sits near the leader. He is eager and earnest.)
"Tateh, teach me everything about Pesach...all the laws, the customs, the rituals...everything! I want to learn it all!"
The Wicked Child
(Enters and Stands, glaring at the leader. He is angry and full of contempt.)
"Dachau, Mumbai, terrorism, murder. What good have all your pious prayers done you?! To hell with your ritual, and to hell with you!"
(He sits.)
The Simple Child
(Enters, walks over and stands beside the leader. She is curious and perhaps a bit confused.)
" Tateh, what does it mean?"
(The leader responds:)
"Come, sit with us and I'll explain it to you."
(She sits.)
The Child Who Doesn't Know How to Ask
(She simply walks over to the leader and gives him a hug. The leader shows her to her place. She sits. The leader continues the seder.)
Our story starts in ancient times, with Abraham, the first person to have the idea that maybe all those little statues his contemporaries worshiped as gods were just statues. The idea of one God, invisible and all-powerful, inspired him to leave his family and begin a new people in Canaan, the land that would one day bear his grandson Jacob’s adopted name, Israel.
God had made a promise to Abraham that his family would become a great nation, but this promise came with a frightening vision of the troubles along the way: “Your descendants will dwell for a time in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and afflicted for four hundred years; however, I will punish the nation that enslaved them, and afterwards they shall leave with great wealth."
Raise the glass of wine and say:
וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְלָֽנוּ
V’hi she-amda l’avoteinu v’lanu.
This promise has sustained our ancestors and us.
For not only one enemy has risen against us to annihilate us, but in every generation there are those who rise against us. But God saves us from those who seek to harm us.
The glass of wine is put down.
In the years our ancestors lived in Egypt, our numbers grew, and soon the family of Jacob became the People of Israel. Pharaoh and the leaders of Egypt grew alarmed by this great nation growing within their borders, so they enslaved us. We were forced to perform hard labor, perhaps even building pyramids. The Egyptians feared that even as slaves, the Israelites might grow strong and rebel. So Pharaoh decreed that Israelite baby boys should be drowned, to prevent the Israelites from overthrowing those who had enslaved them.
But God heard the cries of the Israelites. And God brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with great awe, miraculous signs and wonders. God brought us out not by angel or messenger, but through God’s own intervention.
As we rejoice at our deliverance from slavery, we acknowledge that our freedom was hard-earned. We regret that our freedom came at the cost of the Egyptians’ suffering, for we are all human beings made in the image of God. We pour out a drop of wine for each of the plagues as we recite them.
Dip a finger or a spoon into your wine glass for a drop for each plague.
These are the ten plagues which God brought down on the Egyptians:
Blood | dam | דָּם
Frogs | tzfardeiya | צְפַרְדֵּֽעַ
Lice | kinim | כִּנִּים
Beasts | arov | עָרוֹב
Cattle disease | dever | דֶּֽבֶר
Boils | sh’chin | שְׁחִין
Hail | barad | בָּרָד
Locusts | arbeh | אַרְבֶּה
Darkness | choshech | חֹֽשֶׁךְ
Death of the Firstborn | makat b’chorot | מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת
The Egyptians needed ten plagues because after each one they were able to come up with excuses and explanations rather than change their behavior. Could we be making the same mistakes? Make up your own list. What are the plagues in your life? What are the plagues in our world today? What behaviors do we need to change to fix them?
The Plagues are thought to have happened around the same time as a massive volcano eruption (1400-1650BC). The volcano Santorini sent ash in to the air effecting the surrounding area, including the Nile River.
1st Plague. River ran red LIKE blood. But there is a common algae plume called the Red Tide (or Oscillatoria Rubescens ). This makes the river, or any water, look red like blood. Why did this happen? The ash changes the PH level of the river allowing the algae to bloom.
2nd Plague. Frogs. The algae is killing fish. So that means we had fewer fish, and yet a record number of frogs. The frogs couldn't live in polluted water and so they left the river.
3rd and 4th Plagues. Lice and flies. So the insect plagues may have been a result of the river full of dead fish (and dead frogs).
5th and Plagues. Pestilence and boils may have been brought on by the insect bites that could have gotten infected.
7th Plague. Fire and Hail. Ash in the air causes a mixture of ash and water. The ash, very high in the air, can cause the water to freeze so when it falls it is hail and not rain. Red lightning (known as sprites) can sometimes come from chemicals in the ash. The red color is produced from the excitation of the gas molecules in the atmosphere, particularly nitrogen.
8th Plague. Locusts. Locusts come about when the ground is very damp and they bury their eggs in the sand about 4-6 inches. After record amounts of hail the ground could be very wet allowing the locusts to form.
9th Plague. After an eruption, the ash in the air can remain for a while causing darkness.
10th Plague. Death of First born. In Egypt the first born was king. When food was scarce the first born was fed first and sometimes was the only one to eat. After locusts ate every thing there was only grain locked in vaults. The hail got it wet and made it moldy. And so when only the first born ate, they were the only ones killed by moldy grain.
Arianna has earned the title "Karaoke Queen" for her enthusiastic singing. When we introduced this song to our seder repertoire she picked it up right away and immediately lifted our spirits.
Ilu ho-tsi, ho-tsi-a-nu,
Ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim,
Ho-tsi-a-nu mi-Mitz-ra-yim, Da-ye-nu!
.. CHORUS:
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
..
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Dai, da-ye-nu,
.. Da-ye-nu, da-ye-nu!
.. (CHORUS)
Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu,
Na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah,
Na-tan la-nu et-ha-To-rah, Da-ye-nu!
.. (CHORUS)
Ilu na-tan, na-tan la-nu,
Na-tan la-nu et Yahushua
Na-tan la-nu et Yahushua, Da-ye-nu!
.. (CHORUS)
Arianna is full of surprises! She took her time learning English. After all it is a pretty complex language. She hadn't spoken a single English word. But Hebrew? Well that was a different story! At seder one year she joined in singing Dayenu with gusto. Her very first word: and multi-syllable Hebrew word!
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 God passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt when visiting plagues upon our oppressors.
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.
The bitter herbs provide a visceral reminder of the bitterness of slavery, the life of hard labor our ancestors experienced in Egypt.
POUR ONE OUT
Reflect and discuss: Who isn’t here that you’re thinking about?
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Borei Pri HaGafen.
We acknowledge the Unity of All,
and express gratitude for the fruit of the vine.
Drink Cup #2.
We enjoyed celebrating Pesach with our friends Gerry, zt"l, and Linda Brenner. Especially Linda's gurmet meals! The first time that we were invited to celebrate seder with the Brenners, Linda tolld us to be at their home at 6:00 PM. Now we had only recently met Gerry and Linda so they didn't know that the Astons as very punctual people. We arrived at 10 of 6, hoping that we weren't late. Linda answered the door and was shocked to see us. "I wasn't expecting you for another half hour!" she cried out. "I'n not ready!" She told people to be at her home by 6:00 so that they would arrive by 6:30 and the seder could begin at 7:00. Well we had an extra half Hour to share with these exceptional people!
We wash our hands for the meal, with a bracha this time.
רחצה
Rachtzah
Wash hands while reciting the traditional blessing for washing the hands:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al n'tilat yadayim.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has taught us the way of holiness through commandments, commanding us to wash our hands.
Motzi-Matzah מוֹצִיא
Take the three matzot - the broken piece between the two whole ones – and hold them in your hand and recite the following blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who provides sustenance from the earth.
Before eating the matzah, put the bottom matzah back in its place and continue, reciting the following blessing while holding only the top and middle piece of matzah.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מַצָּה
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al achilat matzah.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has taught us the way of holiness through commandments, commanding us to eat matzah.
Break the top and middle matzot into pieces and distribute them everyone at the table to eat a while reclining to the left.
Our son DJ had never tasted horseradish before. When the time came to eat the maror, his mother cautioned him to take only a small amount and to mix it with a copious quantity of charoset. Never one to shy away from a challenge, DJ took a big bite of the bitter herb with virtually no charoset. The full effect of the horseradish didn't register in his brain for a few seconds. He began to comment, "That's not so..." Suddenly it hit him. With watery, red eyes and a burning throat he continued, "BAAAAADDDD!!!!"
Maror מָרוֹר
Now take a kezayit (the volume of one olive) of the maror. Dip it into the Charoset, but not so much that the bitter taste is neutralized. Recite the following blessing and then eat the maror (without reclining):
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מָרוֹר.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al achilat maror.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has taught us the way of holiness through commandments, commanding us to eat the bitter herb.
Korech כּוֹרֵךְ
זֵכֶר לְמִקְדָּשׁ כְּהִלֵּל. כֵּן עָשָׂה הִלֵּל בִּזְמַן שבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ הָיָה קַיָים: הָיָה כּוֹרֵךְ מַצָּה וּמָרוֹר וְאוֹכֵל בְּיַחַד, לְקַיֵים מַה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: עַל מַצּוֹת וּמְרֹרִים יֹאכְלֻהוּ.
Zeicher l'mikdash k'hileil. Kein asah hileil bizman shebeit hamikdash hayah kayam. Hayah koreich pesach, matzah, u-maror v'ocheil b'yachad. L'kayeim mah shene-emar. “Al matzot um'rorim yochlu-hu.”
Eating matzah, maror and haroset this way reminds us of how, in the days of the Temple, Hillel would do so, making a sandwich of the Pashal lamb, matzah and maror, in order to observe the law “You shall eat it (the Pesach sacrifice) on matzah and maror.”
Shulchan Orech שֻׁלְחָן עוֹרֵךְ
Now is time to enjoy the festival meal and participate in lively discussion. It is permitted to drink wine between the second and third cups.
When new-born Datya joined us for seder at the Brenners, she presented us with a unique challenge. How do you work out the frequent breast feedings for a tiny preemie during a Passover seder at a friend's house the layout of which is totally unfamiliar? Valerie and Datya managed to find their way to a nearby bathroom so our little one could enjoy her own "seder feast!"
It's time to find the afikoman and tzafunnest part of the night! Go get it.
Tzafun
צָפוּן
After the meal, take the Afikoman and divide it among all the guests at the Seder table.
It is forbidden to drink or eat anything (except the remaining two ritual cups of wine) after eating the Afikoman.
Refill everyone’s wine glass.
We now say grace after the meal, thanking God for the food we’ve eaten. On Passover, this becomes something like an extended toast to God, culminating with drinking our third glass of wine for the evening:
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, whose goodness sustains the world. You are the origin of love and compassion, the source of bread for all. Thanks to You, we need never lack for food; You provide food enough for everyone. We praise God, source of food for everyone.
As it says in the Torah: When you have eaten and are satisfied, give praise to your God who has given you this good earth. We praise God for the earth and for its sustenance.
Renew our spiritual center in our time. We praise God, who centers us.
May the source of peace grant peace to us, to the Jewish people, and to the entire world. Amen.
The Third Glass of Wine
The blessing over the meal is immediately followed by another blessing over the wine:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the third glass of wine!
The Hassidic rebbe Naftali Tzvi Horowitz invited all participants of the seder to pour some wine from their personal cups into The Cup of Elijah. In this way they symbolized the need for everyone to do his or her part in bringing about the coming of Moshiach and our final redemption.
Thoughout the seder, Elijah's Cup only kinda sits there,
so why not accomodate it on a Chair made for a prophet...
Kol rina veeshuah, kol rina veeshuah, b'ohle tzadikim (repeat)
Y',min, y'min, y'min Hashem osa chayil (repeat)
Pitchu li shaarei tzedek avo vam odeh Kah
Karev yom, karev yom asher hu lo yom v'lo layloh (repeat)
Ram hoda hoda hoda,Ki l'cha hayom af l'cha halailah (repeat)
Shomrim hafked hafked
L'eercha kol hayom v'chol hlailah (repeat)
Tair tair tair tair tair K'or yom cheskat lailah (repeat)
Singing songs that praise God | hallel | הַלֵּל
This is the time set aside for singing. Some of us might sing traditional prayers from the Book of Psalms. Others take this moment for favorites like Chad Gadya & Who Knows One, which you can find in the appendix. To celebrate the theme of freedom, we might sing songs from the civil rights movement. Or perhaps your crazy Uncle Frank has some parody lyrics about Passover to the tunes from a musical. We’re at least three glasses of wine into the night, so just roll with it.
Fourth Glass of Wine
As we come to the end of the seder, we drink one more glass of wine. With this final cup, we give thanks for the experience of celebrating Passover together, for the traditions that help inform our daily lives and guide our actions and aspirations.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the fourth and final glass of wine!
Nirtzah נרצה
After all the singing is concluded we rise and recite together the traditional formula, the Seder is concluded .
חֲסַל סִדּוּר פֶּסַח כְּהִלְכָתוֹ, כְּכָל מִשְׁפָּטוֹ וְחֻקָתוֹ. כַּאֲשֶׁר זָכִינוּ לְסַדֵּר אוֹתוֹ. כֵּן נִזְכֶּה לַעֲשׂוֹתוֹ. זָךְ שׁוֹכֵן מְעוֹנָה, קוֹמֵם קְהַל עֲדַת מִי מָנָה. בְּקָרוֹב נַהֵל נִטְעֵי כַנָּה. פְּדוּיִם לְצִיוֹן בְּרִנָּה.
Chasal sidur pesach k'hilchato, k'chol mishpato v'chukato. Ka-asher zachinu l'sadeir oto, kein nizkeh la-asoto. Zach shochein m'onah, komeim k'hal adat mi manah. B'karov naheil nitei chanah, p'duyim l'tzion b'rinah.
The Passover Seder is concluded, according to each traditional detail with all its laws and customs. As we have been privileged to celebrate this Seder, so may we one day celebrate it in Jerusalem. Pure One who dwells in the high places, support your People countless in number. May you soon redeem all your People joyfully in Zion.
At the conclusion of the Seder, everyone joins in singing:
לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשַָׁלָיִם
L'shana Haba'ah b'Y’rushalayim
Next Year in Jerusalem!
Counting the Omer
On the second night, the Omer is counted:
. בָרוךְ אַתָה ייָ אֱלֹהֵינו מֶלֶךְ העֹולָם אֲשֶר קִדְשָנו בְמִצְוֹותָיו וְצִוָנו עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר.
הַיֹום יֹום אֶחָד לַעֹמֶר.
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al sfirat ha’omer.
Hayom yom echad la’omer.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who sanctifies us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.
Today is one day of the Omer.
Well, kids grow up don't they. As we began Passover 2022, we realized that there would be only a few of us. DJ was on his way to join the Chabad Community seder in town. Datya had moved into her own apartment and was unable to be with us. To keep Arianna interested, we invented the "Karaoke Seder." With the help of our favorite CD, a home-made Karaoke Haggadah, and Arianna's karaoke machine we spent the evening singing the seder and enjoying Anna's infectious spirit.
We have enjoyed sharing some of our seder memories. There are many more of course than we could possibly put into one Haggadah! And there will be many new memories as we gather on Pesach in the future. Use this space to add your own Seder Memories. Perhaps we will share them together "Next Year in Jerusalem!" Chag Kasher v'Sameach!
The Haggadah reminds us, "With a small number of people..." Just seventy individuals went down to Egypt but when we went to conquer Eretz Yisrael, we were "as numerous as the stars in the heavens."
It is interesting to note that with seventy we slid to our lowest depths. But with seventy-one, we changed the course of Jewish living.
Once we left Egypt and started to deal with the real problems any community faces, it became clear that even our greatest leader had to raise the bar. Moshe Rabeinu added seventy leaders to his one to create a group who both guides and speaks for the entire Jewish people.
From these seventy-onewe learned how to live Hashem's Torah in a world that saw the Egyptians continuously in its rear-view mirror. In the course of that learningwe gained the confidence we as a people needed to conquer the land Hashem promised and build the House that made us grow in wisdom and number.
It may be written as an obligation to "consider himself as if he had left Egypt" and so many more rules to this Passover thing. But this all starts and is maintained with just one: "And you shall tell your child in that day, 'It is because of this that Hashem did for me when I left Egypt.'"
"In every generation," especially this one that is on the cusp of our ultimate liberation, we face ever-increasing challenges to stay "as numerous" and as bright "as the stars." We must focus every energy of every day like it is "the day you came out of Egypt." In this waywe guarantee our numbers and the potency of our light.
-- Dovid Aston
Award-winning Editor, Journalist and Author
The powerful gifts of gratitude, hope and grit.
What’s the most important part of the Passover Seder? I’ll receive many different answers. My great grandfather would have said singing the Hagaddah in the tune that his own grandfather sang the words. My Uncle Leo would have said the delicious food. All the children would have said running around the house trying to find the Afikomen. And my grandmother would have said having the whole family together around the table.
But there is actually one part of the Seder that is the most important for all of us, and we are all obligated to recite it when it comes up in the Haggadah and understand it.
“ Rabban Gamliel used to say: Whoever has not explained the following three things on Pesach has not fulfilled his duty: Pesach, Matzah and Maror.”
What do each of these symbols mean?
Pesach. The shank bone symbolizes the sacrifice that the Jews in Egypt gave to thank God for the miracle of passing over their houses during the tenth plague in which all the Egyptian’s firstborn died. What can we learn from this sacrifice of gratitude? Just as the Jews thanked God for passing over their houses in Egypt and protecting them from the fate of the Egyptians, we can learn to thank God for the everyday miracles when we are spared from harm in the first place. Driving somewhere and arriving safely. Not getting sick. Not being hungry.
This Passover, think about all the hidden and open miracles that God has done for you in the past year and thank Him for the incalculable number of “ordinary” moments in which He saved you from harm without you even realizing it.
Matzah is the unleavened bread that the Israelites brought with them when they left Egypt. Matzah teaches that God doesn’t need any time to prepare; He can save us in an instant. Since He can turn everything around in a moment, we should never give up hope. And when things are going well, we should remind ourselves that this too is an ongoing miracle. God is with us in this moment even when it seems like everything is just proceeding as “it should.”
When we look at the matzah, think about the times in your life when everything turned around in a moment, seemingly without any warning or effort on your part and how God can do the same for you today, no matter what your challenges may be.
Maror is the bitter herb that reminds us of the tears that the Jewish people cried when they were slaves in Egypt. It teaches that when we are going through challenging, seemingly bitter times, sweetness and light and hope are just around the corner. Maror reminds us not to avoid obstacles but to instead recognize that they are a necessary part of the process of success. Without our tears and our prayers, the Jewish nation would not have been able to leave Egypt. Without the bitterness and the struggle, we don’t reach our full potential.
When you look at the maror, think of a struggle you have gone through in the past year and how it helped you become who you are today.
Pesach, matzah, maror symbolize gratitude, hope and grit. With these three powerful gifts we sit around our Seder tables and thank God for the miracle of our freedom.
(The Pesach and matzah explanations are based on Rav Moshe Feinstein ztz”l explanations found in The Reb Moshe Haggada)
I grew up in an irreligious home. We rarely belonged to a Temple (Synagogue was too traditional) and attending a service was even rarer. When we did go to temple you would never a yarmulke except on the Rabbi & Cantor (sometimes). The only tallitot were these little vest things that the clergy wore. The only Hebrew was the Sh'ma, the Torah/Haftarah readings and the Mourner's Kaddish (which is really Aramaic).
But every year, without fail, the Passover dishes and linens would come out, and we would have a full-blown Seder. The only other holiday we really observed was Hannukah, and that was only by lighting the Hannukia and singing Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages).
All over the world Jews from the least to most observant observe rituals. Why? Perhaps it is the L'Dor V'Dor (generation to generation) thing, or as Tevye said, "Tradition". But this "kesher" - connection - is what has sustained us through thousands of years of occupation, exile, pogram, shoah, and assimilation.
Every year we return to relive the story - next year in Jerusalem!
On this Seder night when review the history of our people, we pause to recall with deep pain the darkest chapter which was written in our century. Six million innocent Jews -- men, women and children -- were brutally put to death by the Nazis, far more cruel than any Pharaoh had ever been. If we do not remember the Six Million, then they die a second time. When we member them, they live again in us and through us.
(On the First Night of Pesach, the following is recited responsively.)
You performed most wonders in the early wattches night of the night:
You caused Abraham to triumph at night
It came to pass at midnight.
You judged King Abimelech in a dream at night.
You frightened Laban in the dark of the night.
Israel struggled with an angel and won at night.
It came to pass at midnight.
You slew Egypt's first-born at midnight.
They lost their strength when they arose at midnight.
You confounded Sisera through the stars of the night.
It came to pass at midnight.
You defeated Senncherib at night.
Babylon's idol fell at night.
Daniel was shown the meaning of the king's dream of the night.
It came to pass at midnight.
Belshazzar, who drank from the Temple's vessel, was killed at night.
Daniel interpreted visions of night.
You defeated Haman in the king's sleepless night.
It came to pass at midnight.
O quickly bring to pass the eternal day which is neither day nor night!
O God declare that You are Sovereign Lord of Day and Night.
Set watchmen around Your City all day and all night.
Make as bright as day the darkness of the night.
It came to pass at midnight.
Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Adir bimlucha, bachur kahalcha, g’dudav yomru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Dagul bimluchah, hadur kahalachah, vatikav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Zakai bimluchah, chasin kahalachah taf’srav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Yachid bimluchah, kabir kahalachah limudav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Moshail bimluchah, nora kahalachah savivav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Anav bimluchah, podeh kahalachah, tzadikav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Kadosh bimluchah, rachum kahalachah shinanav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Takif bimluchah, tomaich kahalachah t’mimav yom’ru lo: l’cha u’l’cha, l’cha ki l’cha, l’cha af l’cha, l’cha Adonai hamamlachah, Ki lo na’eh, ki lo ya’eh.
Adir hu, yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Bachur hu, gadol hu, dagul hu, yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Hadur hu, vatik hu, zakai hu, chasid hu, yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Tahor hu, yachid hu, kabir hu, lamud hu, melech hu yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Nora hu, sagiv hu, izuz hu, podeh hu, tzadik hu, yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Kadosh hu, rachum hu, shadai hu, takif hu yivei baito b’karov. Bimheirah, bimheirah, b’yamainu b’karov. El b’nai, El b’nai, b’nai baitcha b’karov.
Who Knows One?
1. One is Hashem, one is Hashem, one is Hashem! In the Heaven and the Earth אחד אלוהינו שבשמיים ובארץ
2. Two are the tablets that Moshe brought שני לוחות הברית
3. Three are the Fathers שלושה אבות
4. Four are the Mothers ארבע אימהות
5. Five are the books of the Torah חמישה חומשי תורה
6. Six are the books of the Mishnah שישה סידרי משנה
7. Seven are the days of the week ooh-ah שיבעה ימי שבתא
8. Eight are the days til the Brit Milah שמונה ימי מילה
9. Nine are the months til the baby's born תישעה ירחי לידה
10. Ten are the ten Commandments עשרה דיבריא
11. Eleven are the stars in Joseph's dream אחד עשר כוכביא
12. Twelve are the tribes of Israel שנים עשר שיבטיא
13. Thirteen are the attributes of Hashem שלושה עשר מידיא
Chad gadya chad gadya
Dizvanababitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.
Va'ata shunra ve'ahal legadya,
dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya
Va'ata halba venashah leshunra, de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba
bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.
Va'ata hutra vehikah lehalba, denashah leshunra, de'ahal
legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.
Va'ata nura vesaraf lehutra, dehikah lehalba, denashah
leshunra, de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya
chad gadya
Va'ata maya vehavah lenura, desaraf lehutra, dehikah lehalba,
denashahleshunra, de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey,
chad gadya chad gadya
Va'ata tora veshatah lemaya, dehavah lenura, desaraf lehutra,
dehikah lehalba, denashah leshunra, de'ahal legadya, dizvan
aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya
Va'ata hashohet veshahat letora, deshatah lemaya, dehavah
lenura, desaraf lehutra, dehikah lehalba, denashah leshunra,
de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad
gadya
Va'ata malah hamavet veshahat leshohet, deshahat letora,
deshatah lemaya, dehavah lenura, desaraf lehutra, dehikah
lehalba, denashah leshunra, de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey
zuzey, chad gadya chad gadya.
Va'ata hakadosh baruh hu veshahat lemalah hamavet,
deshahat leshohet, deshahat letora, deshatah lemaya, dehavah
lenura, desaraf lehutra, dehikah lehalba, denashah leshunra,
de'ahal legadya, dizvan aba bitrey zuzey, chad gadya chad
gadya.Chad gadya chad gadya
An only kid, an only kid
My father bought for twozuzim, an only kid and only kid.
There came a cat and ate the kid my father bought for two
zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came a dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father
bought for two zuzim.Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came a stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate
the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad
gadya.
Then came a fire and burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit
the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad
gadya, chad gadya.
Then came water and quenched the fire that burnt the stick
that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father
bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came an ox and drank the water that quenched the fire
that burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate
the kid my father bought for two zuzim.Chad gadya, chad
gadya.
Then came a slaughterer and killed the ox that drank the
water that quenched the fire that burnt the stick that beat the
dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two
zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came the angel of death who killed theshohetwho
killed the ox that drank the water that quenched the fire that
burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the
kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came the Holy One and killed the angel of death who
killed theshohetwho killed the ox that drank the water that
quenched the fire that burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit
the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad
gadya, chad gadya.An only kid, an only kid
My father bought for twozuzim, an only kid and only kid.
There came a cat and ate the kid my father bought for two
zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came a dog and bit the cat that ate the kid my father
bought for two zuzim.Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came a stick and beat the dog that bit the cat that ate
the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad
gadya.
Then came a fire and burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit
the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad
gadya, chad gadya.
Then came water and quenched the fire that burnt the stick
that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father
bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came an ox and drank the water that quenched the fire
that burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate
the kid my father bought for two zuzim.Chad gadya, chad
gadya.
Then came a slaughterer and killed the ox that drank the
water that quenched the fire that burnt the stick that beat the
dog that bit the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two
zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came the angel of death who killed theshohetwho
killed the ox that drank the water that quenched the fire that
burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit the cat that ate the
kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad gadya, chad gadya.
Then came the Holy One and killed the angel of death who
killed theshohetwho killed the ox that drank the water that
quenched the fire that burnt the stick that beat the dog that bit
the cat that ate the kid my father bought for two zuzim. Chad
gadya, chad gadya.
Our Passover Things (to the tune of "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music)
Cleaning and cooking and so many dishes
Out with the hametz, no pasta, no knishes
Fish that's gefiltered, horseradish that stings
These are a few of our Passover things
Matzoh and karpas and chopped up haroses
Shankbones and kiddush and Yiddish neuroses
Tante who kvetches and uncle who sings
These are a few of our Passover things
CHORUS
When the plagues strike
When the lice bite
When we're feeling sad
We simply remember our Passover things
And then we don't feel so bad
Englsih
As long as the Jewish spirit is yearning deep in the heart,
With eyes turned toward the East, looking toward Zion,
Then our hope - the two-thousand-year-old hope - will not be lost:
To be a free people in our land,
The land of Zion and Jerusalem.
Hebrew Translation
Kol ode balevav
P'nimah -
Nefesh Yehudi homiyah
Ulfa'atey mizrach kadimah
Ayin l'tzion tzofiyah.
Ode lo avdah tikvatenu
Hatikvah bat shnot alpayim:
L'hiyot am chofshi b'artzenu -
Eretz Tzion v'Yerushalayim.
