Passover

HAGGADAH

INTRODUCTION

Passoveristheoldestreligiousholidaythatisstillcelebratedtoday.Itbeganover3500yearsagowhentheLordfreedancientIsraelfromEgyptianbondage.Aftertheywerefreed,thechildrenofIsraelwerecommandedtocelebratethisholidaytohelpthemrememberhowtheLordhadfreedthemfromcaptivity.Inobediencetothatancientcommandment,Jewsstillobservethisholidaytoday,andmanybelievethatthepromisedMessiahwillcometofreethemonthisday,justastheLordfreedtheirancestorssolongago.

AsmembersoftheHouseofIsrael,wealsohaveclaimonGod’sdeliverance,andadutytorememberthegreatthingsHehasdoneforourancestors.ProphetsineverylandandgenerationhaveurgedtheirpeopletorememberthecaptivityoftheirfathersandGod’sdeliverance,asthebasisfortheirfaithinHim.WhenspeakingofPassover,theLordcommanded:“Thisisadaytoremember.Eachyear,fromgenerationtogeneration”(Exodus12:14NLTBible).Withthisinmind,wecelebratethePassoverthisevening,andponderinourheartsthegreatmerciesoftheLordtoHischildrenwhentheywereinbondagetoPharaoh.AswerememberHisdeliveranceofanancientpeopleinaforeignland,wegainrenewedconfidencethatHewillalsodeliverandupholdus,andwillfreeusfromthosethingsthatbindus,thatinHimwecanhavelife,andhaveitmoreabundantly(John10:10).Tonightwecelebrateanancientfestival,butwithneweyes.

ThereismuchthatwedonotknowabouttheoriginsofthetraditionsandritualsofPassover.ThoughtheTalmudlaysthefoundationforthestructureofthemodernSederserviceandthefoodsrituallyconsumed(whichourSederisbasedon),itisalatercomposition—theBiblicaltextonlyinstructsparticipantstopartakeofroastedlamb,unleavenedbread,andbitterherbs,withnoinstructionsabouttheorderoraccompanyingrituals.

Variousscholarsdisagreeonwhencertainpracticescameintoexistence,andhowtheywereobserved.Infact,eventheauthorsofthefourcanonicalGospelsdisagreeonseveralkeyelementsofChrist’slastmealwithHisdisciples.Itwouldbeneitherpossible

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OnceJudasleft,theGospelofJohnindicatesthattheentiremoodoftheeveningchanged.FromthispointonJesusteachessomeofthemostimportantteachingscontainedinallscripture.Fromthismoment,lightcouldfillthedarkenedchambersoftheupperroom.Yet,avaluablelessonhadalreadybeentaughttothedisciplesbecauseoftheseatingarrangementJesushadchosen.Alessonofservant‐leadership,andalessonoftrueloveanddevotiontowardseventhegreatestofsinners.

Scripture References:

Exodus 12-14—The Lord institutes Passover. The children of Israel go out of Egypt, and pass through the Red Sea unharmed. The Lord swallows up the Egyptians in the Red Sea.

Numbers 9:1-14, Deuteronomy 16:1-8—The Lord commands the children of Israel to keep the Passover each year.

Matthew 26:17-35, Mark 14:1-26, Luke 22:1-38, John 13-17—Jesus eats the Last Supper with His disciples.

Hebrews 11:23-29, 1 Corinthians 5:7-8—Paul discusses the Christian implications of the Passover.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26—Paul gives us the first recorded account of the Last Supper and the institution of the sacrament.

Edited by: DANIEL SMITH and AMY GRIGG

FormoreinformationonhowtohostyourownPassoverdinner,includingpreparations,recipes,handouts,music,etc.visit:

redeemer‐of‐israel.blogspot.com

ortoeveryonethatbelieveth.blogspot.com

ThisHagaddahmaybecopiedforpersonalnon‐commercialuse.Copyright2014

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IfthisseatingarrangementwasfollowedbyJesus,andfromthescripturesitseemstobethecase,Jesusthenwasseatednotinthecenter,butsecondfromtheleft.John13:23indicatesthatJohnthebelovedwasseatedtoJesus’right,asJohnhadtoleanonthebosomofChristtoaskoftheidentityofthebetrayer.Matthew26:23indicatesthatJudaswasseatedtotheleftofChrist,intheseatofhonor,asbothJesusandJudaswereabletoeatfromthesamebowl.John13:24indicatesthatPeterwasacrossfromJohn,ontherightside,ashehadtosignaltoJohntoaskJesuswhowouldbetrayhim.

ThiswouldmeanthatJesushadplacedtheyoungestapostleJohnonthesideofeminence,whileplacingPeter,thechiefapostle,intheseatoftheservant.Thiswouldmakesense,foraccordingtoLuke22,therewasstrifeamongthedisciplesastowhowasthegreatest.Alwaystheteacher,Jesussaiduntothem:“Buthethatisgreatestamongyou,lethimbeastheyounger;andhethatischief,ashethatdothserve.Forwhetherisgreater,hethatsittethatmeat,orhethatserveth?isnothethatsittethatmeat?butIamamongyouashethatserveth.”(Luke22:26‐27).

TofurtherteachPeterandtheothersoftheimportanceofservant‐leadership,Jesusthenwashedthefeetofthetwelvedisciples,includingthefeetofJudas.Peter,whoJesushadplacedintheseatoftheservant,wasmostlikelyresponsibleforwashingthefeetoftheguests,yetJesus,thehost,andthegreatestofthemall,nowactedasservantandwashedtheirfeet.ThiswouldexplaintheprotestofPeterwhenhesays:“Lord,dostthouwashmyfeet?...Thoushaltneverwashmyfeet.”(John13:6,8).ThenJesusteachesSimonPeter,“IfIthen,yourLordandMaster,havewashedyourfeet;yealsooughttowashoneanother’sfeet...Theservantisnotgreaterthanthelord;neitherhethatissentgreaterthanhethatsenthim.”(John13:14,16).

ThisseatingarrangementwouldalsomeanthatJesusplacedJudas,whowouldbetrayhim,intheseatofhonor.ItseemsthattotheveryendJesuslovedJudas,anddesiredtoteachhimofhislovebyplacinghiminthismostimportantseat.ItwasasifJesuswastryingtogiveJudasonelessreasontobetrayhim.Jesus,atsomepoint,givesJudasa“sop,”apieceofbreaddippedinbroth,yetanothersignofhonor.However,Judashadalreadymadeuphismind.“AndafterthesopSatanenteredintohim.ThensaidJesusuntohim,Thatthoudoest,doquickly.”(John13:27).

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norhelpfultopresenteveryconceivabletheoryorargumentsurroundingthesedisputestonight.Whatwepresenttonightisourinterpretation,basedonscripture,modernJewishpractice,and,wherepossible,theopinionsofwell‐respectedscholars.

FootnotesthroughoutthetextandexplanatoryessaysintheappendixaddinformationaboutconnectionsbetweenthePassoverandtheLastSupper,aswellasearlyChristiandoctrinalcommentaryonthis,themostcentralofJewishholydays.MuchofthetextcomesfromstandardJewishPassovertexts,thoughwehaveaddedexplanatorymaterialandhavesimplifiedthemodernSedertoincludeonlyelementswebelievearelikelyofancientdate.

Oursisbynomeanstheonlypossibleinterpretation.Passoverisaholidaythatismeanttoinspiremanyquestions—infact,fourquestionsaretraditionallyaskedandansweredateveryPassovermeal.Weencourageyoutodevotetimeinyourpersonalstudytosymbolsorpracticesthataremeaningfulorintriguingtoyou.Wehopethatyouwillcomeawayfromthiscelebrationwithagreaterunderstandingofthesymbolsandeventsthatarepartofoursacredscripture.Wehopethatyouwillgainagreaterappreciationforacultureandareligionthatisnotyourown.

Passoverisafeastofdeliverance.Itcarrieswithittheunderstandingthat,aswehavebeenredeemedbythebloodoftheLamb,wehaveanobligationtolikewiseextendmercytoall.Itisafeastofremembrance.ItstraditionsarefilledwithrichsymbolismthatcannoteasilybeforgottenandthathelpusknowofthetruepowerofGod.Itisafeastofobedience.ItiskepttodaybyJewsforthesamereasonthattheancientHebrewsputthebloodofthelambonthedoorpostsoftheirhome—becauseGodcommandedit.Finally,itisafeastofgratitude.AsweexpressourthanksforGod’smercy,wegainhumility,whichgivesusgreaterfaithinHimandareneweddesiretofollowHisplan.

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THE SEDER SYMBOLS

ThePassoverritualbeginswithfirstadescriptionofthevarioussymbolicfoodsthatareusedaspartoftheservice,andthenaretellingofthestoryoftheexodusofancientIsrael.Thisisfollowedbytheactualmealandthenthefinalblessing.

Leader

TonightwecelebratethePassover,thefeastoffreedomandredemption,andwereadfromtheHaggadah.HaggadahisaHebrewwordmeaningstory.Itrelatesourhistory:enslavementinEgypt,freedom,theholycovenantatMountSinai,andthereturntothePromisedLand.1

TonightwewillbecelebratingtheSederasitwascelebratedinthetimeofChrist.ManyaspectsofthePassovercelebrationhavechangedoverthecenturiesofitsobservance,butwewilltrytofollowthecustomsthatwouldhavebeenpracticedinthefirstcenturyA.D.,asfarasisknown.Aswedoso,trytoputyourselfintheshoesofthosediscipleswhoatetheLastSupperwithChristthatfatefulnight.TheyrejoicedinthedeliveranceoftheirancestorsfromthebondageofEgypt,notfullyunderstandingtheredeemingpoweroftheOnewhoatebesidethem,thetruePassoverLambofGod.

AsweeatthePassovertonight,asmembersoftheHouseofIsraelourselves,werejoiceinthemarvelousmanifestationsoftheLord’spowerofdeliverancethroughouttheages,evendowntothepresentday,inthelivesofourancestorsandespeciallyinourownlives.JustastheLorddeliveredthechildrenofIsraelfromthebondageofEgypt,weknowthatHewilldeliverusfromthebondageofdeath,ofsin,ofheartacheandofsorrow.

TheHaggadahritualiscalled‘seder’meaning‘order’inHebrew.WewillnowexplainthevariousdishesonthetablethatarepartoftheSedermeal.

Tonightwewilleatlamb,whichhasbeenthecentralfeatureofthePassovermealsinceitwasfirstinstituted.Itisusedasareminder

1Joshua5:11— DuringthefeastofPassover,JoshualedthechildrenofIsraeloutofthewildernessandintothepromisedland.

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A Possible Setting for the Last Supper

ItwasThursday,justbeforethesettingofthesun.JesusandtheapostleshadgatheredinalargeupperroomonMountZionintheuppercityofJerusalem.Thehomewouldhavebeenawealthyhome,asithadanupperchamber,andallofthepreparationsforthePassoverfeastwouldhavealreadybeenmade.Themostprominentfeatureoftheroomwouldhavebeenalowtableintheshapeofa“U”calledatriclinium.AtricliniumwasaRomanstyledtable,ofvarioussizesandstylesthathadbeenadoptedbytheJewsofthefirstcentury.Thetablehadlargecouches,orcushions,placedoneachofthethreesides,allowingthemiddletobeopenforentertainmentandservers.

Theguestswouldlieontheirleftsidefacingtheinside,leavingtheirrighthandfreetoeatthemeal.Thiswouldmeanthateachguestcouldleanonthebosomofthepersontohisorherleft.Theirlegswouldbetowardstheoutside,allowingaservanttowashtheirfeetastheyatethefeast.

Thehostofthefeastwouldnotsitinthemiddle,asisoftendepictedinartworkoftheLastSupper,butinsteadsecondtotheleft,withtheguestofhonoronhisleft,andatrustedfriendtohisright.Theseatingthencontinuedaroundthetriclinium,themostimportantguestsseatedontheleft,thengoingaroundthetable,withtheleastimportantsittingonthefarright.Theservant,ifseatedatthetable,wouldoccupythelastposition,closesttothedoor,sotheycouldgoandobtainmorefoodastheeveningprogressed.

Honoredguest(Judas)Host(Jesus)Trustedfriend(John)

Servant(Peter)

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Alldrink,excepttheleader,25thefourthcupofwine,theCupofHopeandFreedom.

FINAL BENEDICTION: FREEDOM OF JERUSALEM

Leader

TheritesoftheSederarenowconcluded,inaccordancewithancientpreceptandcustom.Withthesamezealthatwehavepreparedforthisdaymayweplanandliveourdailylives.

MaythespiritofthePassover,andourknowledgeofGod’sancientandcontinualredemptionofHischosenpeople,alwaysfillourlives,thatwemightalwaysrememberHim,thatwemightalwayshaveHisSpirittobewithus.

Participants

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,forthevineandthefruitthereof,andforthegoodly,ample,belovedlandwhichThouhastchosenandbestowedasaheritageforourfatherstoeatofitsfruitandenjoyitsbounty.

Havepity,LordourGod,onIsraelThypeople,onJerusalemThycity,ZionthedwellingplaceofThyglory,onThinealtarandThyTemple.BuildupJerusalemtheholycitysooninourdays,bringusupthitherandgiveushappinessinitthatwemayeatofitsfruitandenjoyitsgoodness,andblessTheethereinholinessandpurity.

AndcauseustoknowtherethejoyofthisPassoverfestivalofunleavenedbread.

ThisyearwecelebratethePassoverincaptivity,nextyearmaywerejoiceasfreepeople.Thisyearourworldisfilledwithuncertainty,nextyearmayitbefilledwithlightandpeacebroughtbytheMessiah,andmayHecomespeedily,speedily,soon,andinourday.

Thisyearweobservetheseritualsinexile,

NEXTYEARINJERUSALEM!

25JesustoldHisdisciplesinMatthew26:29thatHewouldnotpartakeofwineagainuntilHisSecondComing.Inthiscontext,thatcouldindicatethatHewouldnotpartakeofthecupoffreedomorhopeuntiltruefreedomandhopewerebroughttotheearthatHisSecondComing.

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ofthelambofferedonPassoverattheTempleinJerusalemtwothousandyearsago.2ItalsorecallsthatGodpassedoverthehousesoftheHebrewpeopleinEgyptwhenHesawthebloodofthelambontheirdoorposts.3

Then,whenyourchildrenaskyou,“‘Whatisthemeaningofthisrite?’youshallsay:ItistheLord’sPassover,forhepassedoverthehousesoftheIsraelitesinEgyptwhenGodstrucktheEgyptiansbutsparedourhouses.”Exodus12:26‐27

Participantsliftthevariousdishesoffoodastheyareexplained.

AParticipant

Herearethebitterherbs.InHebrewtheyarecalledmaror.TheyremindusofthebitternessandhardshipoftheslaveryofIsrael.

AParticipant

Hereisamixtureofchoppedapples,cinnamon,andnuts.ItiscalledinHebrewharoset.TheharosetisareminderofthemortarusedbytheHebrewslavesinEgypt.

Leader

Thisdishofmatzotorunleavenedbread4isareminderofthehastewithwhichtheHebrewsleftEgypt.

AParticipant

AspartoftheSederweeachwillpartakeoffourcupsofwinemixedwithwatertorepresentthefourstagesfoundinExodusbywhichIsraelwasdeliveredfromcaptivity:“ThereforesaytothechildrenofIsrael,IamtheLord.Iwillfreeyoufromtheburdensof

2LambisnolongereatenatmodernJewishSeders.Thispracticewasdiscontinuedin70A.D.,whenthedestructionoftheJerusalemTemplemadetemplesacrificesimpossible.31Cor.5:7—”ForevenChristourPassoverissacrificedforus.”1Peter1:18‐19NIV—”Foryouknowthatitwasnotwithperishablethingssuchassilverorgoldthatyouwereredeemedfromtheemptywayoflifehandeddowntoyoufromyourforefathers,butwiththepreciousbloodofChrist,alambwithoutblemishordefect.”41Cor.5:7‐8—”Purgeoutthereforetheoldleaven,thatyemaybeanewlump,asyeareunleavened.ForevenChristourpassoverissacrificedforus:Thereforeletuskeepthefeast,notwitholdleaven,neitherwiththeleavenofmaliceandwickedness;butwiththeunleavenedbreadofsincerityandtruth.”

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theEgyptiansanddeliveryoufromtheirbondage.Iwillredeemyouwithanoutstretchedarmandwithmightyactsofchastisement.IwilltakeyouasmypeopleandIwillbeyourGod.”Exodus6:6‐7

Thewineisusuallyred,recallingthecoloroftheblood,whichtheHebrewsdabbedonthedoorpostsoftheirhomes,usingabranchofhyssop,sothattheirfirst‐bornsonscouldbe‘passedover.’WhenJesuswasonthecross,theRomansoldiersfilledaspongewithvinegar,orcheapwine,andheldituptoJesus’mouthusingareed.John,rememberingthesymbolismofthePassoverlamb,tellsusthatthereedwasastalkofhyssop(John19:29).JohnalsorecordsthatafterChrist’sdeath,“oneofthesoldierswithaspearpiercedhisside,andforthwithcamethereoutbloodandwater.”John19:34

AParticipant

ThatspecialwinecupinthemiddleofthetableiscalledElijah’scup.Itrelatestoafifthexpressionofdeliverance:

”AndIwillleadyoutothelandwhichIsworetogivetoAbraham,toIsaac,andtoJacob,andIwillgiveittoyouasapossession,ItheLord.”Exodus6:8

Elijah’scupisasymbolofprophetichopeinthecomingoftheKingdomofGoduponourworld.

THE PASSOVER SEDER

THE BLESSING OF WINE: קךש

FIRST CUP OF WINE: THE CUP OF BLESSING5

Servantsfillthefirstcupofwine.

Leader

Beforeeachcupofwine,werecitethesametraditionalblessing,whichpraisesGodasthe“creatorofthefruitofthevine.”As 5“AndHetookthecup,andgavethanks,andsaid,Takethis,anddivideitamongyourselves.”(Luke22:17)Thisverseismostlikelyreferringtothefirstofthefourcupsofwine.

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ThisisthedaywhichtheLordhathmade;wewillrejoiceandbegladinit.

All

“Savenow,Ibeseechthee,OLord:OLord,Ibeseechthee,sendnowprosperity.BlessedbehethatcomethinthenameoftheLord:wehaveblessedyououtofthehouseoftheLord.

Leader

“GodistheLord,whichhathsheweduslight:bindthesacrificewithcords,evenuntothehornsofthealtar.

All

“ThouartmyGod,andIwillpraisethee:thouartmyGod,Iwillexaltthee.OgivethanksuntotheLord;forheisgood:forhismercyendurethforever.”Psalms118:16‐29

CONCLUSION OF THE SEDER: נרצה Theservantsfillthewinecupsforthefourthandfinaltime.

THE CUP OF HOPE AND FREEDOM

Participants

Allholdupcupsofwine.

Wewillpartakeofthefourthcupofwine,thecupoffreedom.Itisareminderoffreedom,itshopes,strugglesanddreamsforsomanyenslavednationsandindividuals.AscommittedchildrenofGod,wearecalledtobearwitnessofthispreciousgiftandmakeitknowntoallpeoplesoftheearth:thosewhoseekjustice,thosewholackanyrightsandwhofightforfreedom.

Leader

Baruchatahadonaieloheinumelechha‐olamboreip’riha‐gafen.

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,creatorofthefruitofthevine.

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Leader

AtthismomentwewelcomeElijahtheProphet,themessengeroffinalredemptionanddeliverancefromallformsofoppression.Blessedbehispresenceandinspirationforallofusandhumanity.

Participants

JewishlegendsrecallthemysticalappearanceofElijahintimesoftrouble,topromisereliefandredemption,toliftdowncastspirits,andtoplanthopeintheheartsofthedowntrodden.

JewishtraditionstatesthatElijah’sgreatestmissionwillcomewhentheMessiahappearsonearthtousherinthelong‐promisedmillennialeraofpeaceandtranquility.ItwillbeElijahtheProphetwhowillprecedetheMessiahandwillannouncehisarrival,andwithit,thearrivaloffreedomandpeaceforallGod’schildrenontheearth.

RECTIAL OF THE HALLEL: הלל

Atthispoint,familiesusuallyreciteorsingallorpartoftheHallel.24

Leader

“TherighthandoftheLordisexalted:therighthandoftheLorddoethvaliantly.Ishallnotdie,butlive,anddeclaretheworksoftheLord.TheLordhathchastenedmesore:buthehathnotgivenmeoveruntodeath.Opentomethegatesofrighteousness:Iwillgointothem,andIwillpraisetheLord:ThisgateoftheLord,intowhichtherighteousshallenter.

All

“Iwillpraisethee:forthouhastheardme,andartbecomemysalvation.

Leader

“Thestonewhichthebuildersrefusedisbecometheheadstoneofthecorner.ThisistheLord’sdoing;itismarvellousinoureyes. 24Matthew26:30—”Andwhentheyhadsunganhymn,theywentoutintothemountofOlives.”This“hymn”wasmostlikelytheHallel,Psalms113‐118.Asnotedpreviously,theHallelwassangintwoparts(113‐114&115‐118)duringthemeal.

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believersinJesusChrist,werememberthat,duringHismortalministry,Christ’sfirstmiracle6demonstratedHisdivinitybyfulfillingthisprayer.AttheweddingfeastinCana,Christcreatedwineforthecelebration,demonstratingthatHewasliterallythe“creatorofthefruitofthevine.”(seeJohn2:1‐11)

Participantsliftthewinefortheblessing.

Leader

Baruchatahadonaieloheinumelechha‐olamboreip’riha‐gafen.

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Kingoftheuniverse,Creatorofthefruitofthevine.7

Participants

PraisedartThou,LordourGod,Kingoftheuniverse,whohaschosenusamongallpeoplesandsanctifiedusthroughThycommandments.WithaneverlastingloveThouhastgivenustheholidaysandseasonsforrejoicing,andthisdayoftheFeastofUnleavenedBread,thetimeofourfreedom,inremembranceofIsrael’sgoingoutfromEgypt.

Alldrinkthefirstcupofwine,theCupofBlessing.

WASHING OF THE HANDS: ורהץ

Leader

Letuswashourhands.Aswewash,letusrenewourcommitmenttoGodtohave“cleanhandsandapureheart.”8

6Moses’firstplaguewasthatofturningwatertoblood.Jesus’firstmiracle(accordingtoJohn)wasturningwatertowine(asymbolforblood).ThelastplaguewastheredemptionoftheJewsbythedeathofthelamb.Jesus’lastandgreatestmiraclewashisowndeath,whichreleasedallfromphysicalandspiritualbondage. 7Notetheuseof“fruitofthevine”inbothMatthew26:29andLuke22:18duringtheLastSupper.8Theritualofwashingisoftenaformofpreparationforanindividualpriortoenteringaholyplaceorparticipatinginareligiousritual(seeExodus29:4).John13:5‐9—JesuswashesthefeetofHisdisciplesattheLastSupper.AccordingtotheKJVthisoccurredwhensupperhad“ended.”However,mostBibletranslationsstatethatthewashingoffeettookplaceduringorevenbeforethemeal(seeJohn13:2inNIVBibleforexample).

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Servantsbringoutwashbasinsandtowelsandassistwiththefirstwashingofhands.

THE PASSOVER STORY: מגיד

THE BREAD OF AFFLICTION9

TherecitaloftheHaggadahbeginswiththeHaLakhmaAnya,“TheBreadofAffliction.”Theleaderliftsuptheplateforalltoseethe

unleavenedbreadormatzot,andthecompanyrecites:

Participants

ThisisthebreadofafflictionwhichIsraelateinthelandofEgypt.Itisasymbolofdaysofslaveryandpain,enduredbytheJewishpeopleforcenturies.Itisasymbolalsooftheslaveryandpainofsomanyintheworldtoday.TheLordourGodgavebreadanddrinktotheIsraeliteswhileinthewilderness;letuslikewisegivefreelytothosewhoareinneed.AstheLordGodhasreleasedusfromcaptivity,letuslikewisegotothosewhoarephysicallyandspirituallyboundandhelptofreethemfrombondagebyouractsofservice.

Leader

Letusopenthedoorofourheartstowelcomethehungryofbodyandspirit.Letallwhohungerforbreadandfreedomcometopartake,tocelebrate,andpartakeofthebreadandfreedomofthisourPassovercelebration.10

Matzotaresetdownbyleader.

THE FOUR QUESTIONS

Theyoungestperson,11traditionallyachild,askstheFourQuestions.12

9Isaiah53:5,10—Christistornandbruisedforoursakes.John6:51—Christisthebreadoflife.10John13:27‐30—WhenJudasleavestobetrayJesus,theGospelsreportthatsomeofthedisciplesthinkheisgoingtogivetothepoor.11Johnthebelovedwouldhavebeentheyoungestofthedisciplesandmayhavebeentheonethatwouldhaveaskedthesefourquestions.

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THE THIRD CUP: THE CUP OF REDEMPTION

Servantsfillthewinecupsforthethirdtime.22

Participants

ThebiblicaltextremindsusofGod’sredemption:“Iwillredeemyouwithanoutstretchedarmandwithmightyactsofjudgment.”Exodus6:6

TheGospelsrecordthatJesustookthe“cupaftersupper”andgaveittoHisdisciples,saying,“Thiscupisthenewcovenantinmyblood,whichisshedforyou”“fortheremissionofsins.”Luke22:20,Matthew26:28

Allholdupcupsofwine.

Leader

Baruchatahadonaieloheinumelechha‐olamboreip’riha‐gafen.

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,creatorofthefruitofthevine.

Participants

“WhatshallIreturntotheLordforallhisgoodnesstome?IwillliftupthecupofsalvationandcallonthenameoftheLord.IwillfulfillmyvowstotheLordinthepresenceofallhispeople.PraisetheLord.”Psalms116:12‐14,19NIV23

Alldrinkthethirdcupofwine,theCupofRedemption.

THE CUP OF ELIJAH

AllparticipantsstandandthedoorisopenedtowelcomeElijahtheProphet.ServantsfilltheCupofElijahinthemiddleofthetable.

Afterafewsecondsofsilence,thecommunitywelcomestheProphetElijah,themessengerofpeace.

22Luke22:20usestheterm“TheCupafterSupper,”whichispossiblyreferringtothispartoftheSeder.23PartoftheHallel,whichistraditionallysungatPassovermeals.

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herbsinordertoobservethebiblicalcommand:TheyshalleatthePassoveroffering“withunleavenedbreadandbitterherbs.”Numbers9:11

Alleatthe“HillelSandwich.”20

THE PASSOVER MEAL: שלחן עורך

Dinnerisserved.Lambistraditionallythemaincourse.21

Afterthemealhasbeeneaten,eachguesttraditionallyfinisheswithasmallbiteoflamb,afterwhichitiscustomarytoeatnothingelse,so

thattheslainlambwillbeforemostinourminds.

GRACE AFTER THE MEAL: ברך

Leader

TheBibleindicatestheobligationtosaygrace:“WhenyouhaveeatenandaresatisfiedyoushallthanktheLordyourGodforthegoodlandwhichhehasgivenyou.”Deut.8:10

PraisedbetheLord,ourGod,Fatherofall,whosustainstheworldwithgoodnessandgivesusthefoodoftheearth.

Participants

WethankThee,LordourGod,forthegoodlylandwhichThouhastgiventoourancestors,andforbringingusoutfromthelandofEgypt,andredeemingusfromtheHouseofBondage.WethankTheefortheTorahwhichThouhasttaughtus,andforthelifeofgraceandlovingkindnesswhichThouhastgraciouslybestoweduponus,andforthefoodweeatwithwhichThoudostnourishandsustainusatalltimes.

isthewholeTorah;therestistheexplanation;goandlearn.”ItispossiblethatJesuswasparaphrasingHillelwhenHeformulatedHisown“GoldenRule.”20AslambisnoteatenatmodernJewishPassovers,todayJewscombinetheharoset(applemixture)withthebitterherbsandmatza,however,Hillelwouldhaveusedthelamb,nottheharoset,tofulfillthecommandofNumbers9:11.21Thebibleteachesusthatthelambwastobe“withoutblemish,amaleofthefirstyear”andthatyouarenotto“breakanyboneofit”(Exodus12:5,46).Johnnotes,“whentheycametoJesusandfoundthathewasalreadydead,theydidnotbreakhislegs”(John19:33NIV)thusfulfillingthisaspectoftheLaw.

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Whyisthisnightdifferentfromallothernights?

1. Foronallothernightsweeateitherleavenedorunleavenedbread,butonthisnightonlyunleavenedbread?

2. Onallothernightsweeatanykindofherbs,butonthisnightonlybitterherbs?

3. Onallothernightsweeatallkindsofmeatroasted,stewed,orboiled,butonthisnightonlyroastedlamb?13

4. Onallothernightsweeatsittingorreclining.Whyonthisnightdoweonlyrecline?

Leader

Indeed,thisnightisdifferentfromallothernights,foronthisnightwecelebratethegoingforthofIsraelfromslaverytofreedom;fromcaptivitytoredemption;fromatimeofhardshiptoatimeofblessing.

Variousparticipantsmayspeakthefollowing.

1. Whydoweeatonlymatzatonight?

WeeatunleavenedbreadtoremindusofthehasteinwhichIsraelfledEgypt.“WiththedoughtheyhadbroughtfromEgypt,theybakedcakesofunleavenedbread.ThedoughwaswithoutyeastbecausetheyhadbeendrivenoutofEgyptanddidnothavetimetopreparefoodforthemselves.”Exodus12:39NIV

2. Whydoweeatbitterherbstonight?

WeeatbitterherbstoremindusofthebitternessandhardshipoftheslaveryofourancestorsinEgypt.Thescriptureexplains:“AndtheEgyptiansmadethechildrenofIsraeltoservewithrigor:andtheymadetheirlivesbitterwithhardbondage,inmortar,andinbrick,andinallmannerofserviceinthefield.”Exodus1:13‐14.We

12SeeExodus13:14andDeuteronomy32:7.13AslambisnolongerpartofmodernJewishPassovermeals(sincethedestructionoftheJerusalemTemplein70A.D.),thethirdquestionistraditionally,“Onothernightswedonotdipparsleyevenonce.Whyonthisnight,dowedipthemtwice?”WesubstitutethisthirdquestionaboutroastedlambbecauseduringtheLastSupper,lambwouldhavebeenacriticalpart.

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alsoeatbitterherbsthatwemayrememberthatbyknowingthebitterwemayknowhowtoprizethesweet.

3. Whyonthisnightonlyroastedlamb?

WeeatroastedlambonthisnighttohelpusrememberthatthebloodofthePassoverlambonthedoorpostsofthechildrenofIsraelsavedthemfromtheangelofdeath.Likewise,itisbecauseofthesacrificeoftheLambofGodthatweareredeemedfromsinanddeathandbroughtoutofourownformofbondage.Thelambremindsusthatonlythroughthebloodofthelambwillallmankindbesaved.

4. Whydowereclineatthetable?

Wereclineatthetabletonightbecauserecliningwhileeatingisaluxuryaffordedonlytofreepeople.OurancestorswereslavesinEgypt,andtonightwerememberhowGodfreedthemandbroughtthemtoalandflowingwithmilkandhoney,wheretheycouldbetheirownmasters.

Participants

WewereslavesofPharaohinEgyptandGodbroughtourpeoplefromtherewithastronghandandapromiseofredemption.ItisourdutytorememberandtellthestoryofthecaptivityofourancestorsandtorememberhowtheLorddeliveredthembyHispower.Ineverygeneration,thestoryoftheExodushasgivenusandourancestorsthecouragetofacedifficultiesandtocontinuewithourreligiouscommitmentandfaith.

THE STORY OF OPPRESSION AND LIBERATION

Leader

BlessedbeGodwhokeepshispromisestoIsraelandfulfillsthemineveryage.BlessedbetheHolyOnewhohassavedhispeoplefromtyrantsandtyrannies.

AParticipant

ThebookofDeuteronomystates:“MyfatherwasawanderingAramean,andhewentdowntoEgypt,andsojournedthere;hebecameagreatandimportantcommunity.TheEgyptiansdealt

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Leader

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,whobringsforthbreadfromtheearth.17

Participants

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,RuleroftheuniversewhosanctifieduswithThycommandmentsandcommandedustoeatofunleavenedbread.

Eachparticipanteatsapieceofmatza.

EATING OF THE BITTER HERB: מרור

Everyonetakessomeofthebitterherbwithmatza.

Participants

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,whosanctifieduswithThycommandmentsandcommandedustoeatofbitterherbs.

Alleatthebitterherbs.18

THE HILLEL SANDWICH: כורך

Apieceofmatzaisbroken,andeachparticipanttakestwopieceswithsomebitterherbsandapieceoflambformingasandwich.

Leader

ThusdidHillel19dowhentheTempleinJerusalemwasstillstanding.HecombinedthePassoveroffering,matzaandbitter

17John6–Jesusfeedsthefivethousand,literallyfulfillingthisprayerofbringing“forthbreadfromtheearth.”18ItispossiblethatitwasatthispointthatJesusgaveJudasthe“sop,”orpieceofbread,dippedinthebitterherbs.Ifso,howappropriatethatJesusshouldtellJudas,“thatthoudoes,doquickly,”(John13:26‐27)forwhathewasabouttodowouldbringaboutgreatbitternessbothforJudasandforJesus.Matthew26:23—”Hethatdippethhishandwithmeinthedish,thesameshallbetrayme.”19HillelwasagreatElderwholivesduringthetimeofHerodtheGreat.Oneofhisbestknownsayingswas,“Thatwhichishatefultoyou,donotdotoyourfellow.That

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reason,weraiseourcupanddrinkthewineofmemory,thememoryofsalvation.

Allholdupcupsofwine.

Leader

Baruchatahadonaieloheinumelechha‐olamboreip’riha‐gafen.

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,Ruleroftheuniverse,creatorofthefruitofthevine.

Alldrinkthesecondcupofwine,thecupofmemory.

WASHING OF THE HANDS: רחצה

Leader

WearereadytoenjoythePassovermeal.Beforeweeatletuswashourhandsandsayalltogether:

Participants

BlessedartThou,LordourGod,RuleroftheuniversewhosanctifieduswithThycommandmentsandcommandedusconcerningthewashingofthehands.

Servantsassistinwashingthehandsoftheparticipantsforthesecondtime.

BLESSING THE MATZA: מצה-מוציא

Leader

TheearliestsurvivingaccountoftheLastSupperrecordsthat,“TheLordJesusthesamenightinwhichhewasbetrayedtookbread,Andwhenhehadgiventhanks,hebrakeit,andsaid,Take,eat:thisismybody,whichisbrokenforyou:thisdoinremembranceofme”1Cor.11:23‐24.Thoughtodayweuseregularleavenedbreadinourworshipservices,Christwouldhaveusedtheonlybreadavailableduringthefeast—thisunleavenedbread,ormatza,whichwewilllikewiseblessandeat.

Everyparticipantbreaksoffapieceofthematzaandholdsitup.

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harshlywithusandoppressedus,theyimposedheavylaboruponus.”Deuteronomy26:5‐6

AParticipant

TheBookofExodusconfirmsthisstory.IttellsusthatafterJosephdied,anewPharaoharosewhoforgotwhatJosephandhispeoplehadmeantforEgypt.ThisPharaohenslavedallIsraelandcondemnedallnewbornmalestodeath.14

AParticipant

Achild,adescendantofLevi,wassavedbyPharaoh’sdaughterandrearedinthepalace.LaterinlifeherealizedthathewasasonofIsraelandescapedtothedesert.ThereinHoreb,Godrevealedhimselfattheburningbushandsaid:“IamtheGodofyourfather,theGodofAbraham,theGodofIsaacandtheGodofJacob...IhaveindeedseenthemiseryofmypeopleinEgypt.Ihaveheardthemcryingoutbecauseoftheirslavedrivers,andIamconcernedabouttheirsuffering.SoIhavecomedowntorescuethemfromthehandoftheEgyptiansandtobringthemupoutofthatlandintoagoodandspaciousland,alandflowingwithmilkandhoney...thecryoftheIsraeliteshasreachedme,andIhaveseenthewaytheEgyptiansareoppressingthem.”Exodus3:6‐9NIV

Leader

MosespleadedwithPharaoh,whostubbornlyrefusedtofreetheHebrewslaves.GodafflictedhimwithTenPlaguesthatleftthepeopleandthelanddesolate.

Servantspourasmallamountofwineintoemptycups.

WerecalltheTenPlaguesbypouringdropsofwineaswementioneachofthem.Wedonotpourthewineoutofjoy.AccordingtoanancientJewishtradition,weexpressourcompassionforthesufferingoftheEgyptians.Althoughtheywereenemiesandtormentors,theywerealsochildrenofGod,andfellowhumanbeings.Wetemperourjoytonightwithdropsofwinespilledfromourcups.

14Matthew2:16‐18–AllbabieswerekilledinBethlehemwhenChristwasborn.BothMosesandJesusweremiraculouslysavedfromtheslaughteroftheinnocents.

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Aseachplagueismentioned,theparticipantsspilloutadropofwineintotheplates.Allreciteinunison.

BloodFrogsLiceFliesCattleDisease

BoilsHailLocustsDarknessSlayingofthefirstborn

SINGING OF THE FIRST PART OF THE HALLEL

All

“WhenIsraelcameoutofEgypt,Jacobfromapeopleofforeigntongue,JudahbecameGod’ssanctuary,Israelhisdominion.Thesealookedandfled,theJordanturnedback;themountainsleapedlikerams,thehillslikelambs.

“Whywasit,sea,thatyoufled?Why,Jordan,didyouturnback?Why,mountains,didyouleaplikerams,youhills,likelambs?

“Tremble,earth,atthepresenceoftheLord,atthepresenceoftheGodofJacob,whoturnedtherockintoapool,thehardrockintospringsofwater.”Psalms114NIV15

DAYENU16

TheparticipantssaytheDayenurefrain,“Forthatalonewewouldhavebeengrateful,”aftertheleader’senumerationofGod’sblessings.

Thisisdonewithgreatenthusiasm.

Leader

HowthankfulwemustbetoGodforallthegooddoneforus.HadGodonlydividedtheseaforusandnotbroughtusthroughitdry‐shod... 15Traditionally,theHallel(Psalms113‐118)wasdivedintotwoparts(113‐114&115‐118)andsungduringtwopointsofthePassovermeal(seeTheTemplebyAlfredEdersheim,pp.190and192).16AlthoughthispoemwasnotinuseduringthetimeofChrist,theconceptofrecognizingGod’sabundantblessingsisnotnew.DuringtheLastSupper,theapostlePhillipechoedasimilarsentimentinJohn14:8,“Lord,shewustheFather,anditsufficethus.”Dayenumeans“itwouldhavebeenenough”or“itwouldhavesufficed.”

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Participants

Dayenu!Forthatalonewewouldhavebeengrateful!

Leader

HadGodhelpedusfortyyearsinthedesertandnotfeduswithmanna...

Participants

Dayenu!Forthatalonewewouldhavebeengrateful!

Leader

HadGodbroughtustoMountSinaiandnotgivenustheTorah...

Participants

Dayenu!Forthatalonewewouldhavebeengrateful!

Leader

HadGodgivenustheTorahandnotbroughtustotheLandofIsrael...

Participants

Dayenu!Forthatalonewewouldhavebeengrateful!

Leader

WearegratefultotheLord,ourGod,fortheredemptionfromEgyptianslavery,forthesplittingofthewatersoftheRedSea,forthemannathatsustainedusinthedesert,fortheLaw,theSabbath,andthepeaceofourhearts.

SECOND CUP OF WINE: THE CUP OF MEMORY

Servantsfillthewinecupsforthesecondtime.

Participants

NotonlywereourancestorsredeemedbyGodfromslavery:allofusalsoarenowredeemedinspiritandexample.Eachofus,eachgeneration,isabeneficiaryofGod’spowerofsalvation.Forthis