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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