The Simple Man’s Haggadah

Exo 12:8  ‘And they shall eat the flesh on that night, roasted in fire – with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Exo 12:9  ‘Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire, its head with its legs and its inward parts. So let’s contrast Yahweh’s mitzvot/commands for the Pesach/Passover and mans traditional Passover!

YHVH’s requirements Man’s requirements

On the 14th (evening) starts on the the 15th (evening)

Roasted lamb Roasted lambBitter herbs Bitter herbsUnleavened bread Unleavened bread

Afikomen lamb shank bone

Hard-boiled egg Parsley salt water horseradish sauce Charoset Candles and matches Red wine A bowl and pitcher for hand washing

YUPPERS bring man into it and we tend to complicate things nicely! I’ve never been sure why we do that but we do! Now I’m no hater of traditions unless they supersede the mitzvot/commands of Yahweh! Actually I’ve often explained the Hebrew life as a Haiku! Absolute freedom with in a rigid structure of 17 syllables! I have then counseled people to search their hearts and take what speaks to them before Him and inquire if it is acceptable! One example for me would be the Hillel sandwich! Those are my favorite part of the Passover Seder plate, and of course you need horse radish and Charoset for a Hillel sandwich! The boiled egg however sits wrong with me! Partially because my hubby was raised Russian Orthodox (petrified catholic) and they use red eggs! Needless to say he nixed them in our home for Passovers!

There are other traditions that have been added that; in many ways add new levels of understanding of the symbolism used in the Seder; like the afikomen!

Isa 53:5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 

For those who serve Messiah this portion of the Seder has very special meaning! Our Savior is the bread of life, He was pierced and crushed for our sins, He is

without sin/leavening, He is hidden which causes us to search for Him, and the reward for finding Him causes joy and brings a reward (life)!

Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Isa 53:5  But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our crookednesses. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.Mat 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mat 13:34  יהושע said all this to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable, Mat 13:35  so that what was spoken by the prophet might be filled, saying, “I shall open My mouth in parables, I shall pour forth what has been hidden from the foundation of the world.” Psa_78:2. Mat 13:44  “Again, the reign of the heavens is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man having found it, hid, and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Another favorite of mine is the zeroa/lamb shank! Every time I see it I am reminded of the children coming out of Egypt and the mighty things He did!

Deu 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an

outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders. The Parsley dipped in salt water? Well I actually like it a lot!

 The traditional washing of hands? Well some say it is a memorial to the children cleaning up before Sinai, other say it is picture of Yeshua washing the disciple’s feet! No matter which is correct I just think it makes the service somewhat formal and pretty just like the candles do!

When the children were little I went into great detains on Passover. Now that it is just hubby and I, not so much! Partially because is at 9:03 PM and we are both usually ready for dinner. That and him being a trucker I kinda chop it up at least he can take the day off and spend it with me!

Ok so let’s begin; and before I go any further let me say; please print this out to use if you need to!

Passover is begun by the washing of hands! Almost everyone I know goes through the ‘OH NO! I don’t have the washing picture and bowl!’ Well frankly; you can save yourself some drama and trauma by calling out for everyone to line up to wash their hands! Easy peasy!

Then the candles are lit, usually by the lady of the house, but a fun variation is to have candles sets for all the girls and light them at the same time. (Can we say teaching moment?)

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Ehlohaynu meh-lech ha-o-lahm ah-sher keed- sha-nu beed-va-reh-cha v’na-tahn la-nu et Yeshua m’she- chay-nu, v’tzee-va-nu l’he-oat oar la-o-lahm. A-main.

Blessed are You Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us by Your Word, given us Yeshua our Messiah, and commanded us to be light to the world. Amen.

Then the opening blessing is read/cantered.

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hay-nu meh-lech ha-o-lahm, sheh-heh- cheh-yah-nu v'kee-y'mah-nu v'he- ge-a-nu laz'mahn ha-zeh. A-main.

Blessed are You Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, Who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this season. Amen.

The First Cup – The Cup of Sanctification

Exo 6:6  Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments; 

Exo 6:7  and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 

Exo 6:8  And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD.' 

Raise your glasses with me in a toast of gratitude to Yahweh, Lord of all, Who has redeemed us from our slavery in Egypt!

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hay-nu meh-lehch ha-o-lahm, bo-ray p'ree ha-ga-fen. Amain

Blessed are You Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine. Amen

Now enjoy your first cup of wine!

Karpas – Green Vegetable/ Parsley

The parsley is symbolic of new life and freedom and of the hyssop, which is associated with cleansing.

The salt water is symbolic of the many tears that were shed by Yis'rael while in bondage.

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hay-nu meh-lehch ha-o-lahm, bo-ray p'ree ha-adamah. Amain

Blessed are You Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the earth. Amen

Let’s dip a piece of parsley and it into the salt water and eat.

Unleavened Bread – Matzah

While lifting the plate containing the matzah:

This is the bread of affliction, the poor bread which our fathers ate after they left the land of Egypt in haste. Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need share in the hope of Passover.

Bitter Herbs - Maror

We eat maror (bitter herbs) to remember how bitter life was for Yis'rael in the land of Egypt.

∞ Rabbi Hillel felt that the bitter herbs and matzah should be eaten together. Let us combine some of the bitter herbs on a piece of matzah…

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Ehlohaynu meh-lech ha-o-lahm ah-sher keed- sha-nu bidevaro v’tzee-va-nu al akhilat maror.

Blessed are You Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, who has set us apart by His Word and commanded us to eat the bitter herbs.

All eat the matzah and maror.

The Second Cup of Wine—the Cup of Plagues/Judgment

We are commanded not to gloat over the misfortune of our enemies (Proverbs 24:17).

In remembrance of the ten plagues let us spill ten drops of wine on our plates with a finger as we recited the plagues.

The First Plague — Blood

The Second Plague — Frogs

The Fourth Plague — Flies

The Fifth Plague — Livestock

The Sixth Plague — Boils

The Seventh Plague — Hail

The Eighth Plague — Locusts

The Ninth Plague — Darkness

The Tenth Plague — The Firstborn Sons

Now enjoy your second glass of wine!

Time to Eat

Enjoy your meal!

The Third Cup of Wine—the Cup of Blessing or Redemption

This glass of wine is also known as the cup of redemption. This is the cup spoken of by Rav Shaul/ the Apostle Paul:

1Co 11:23  For I received from the Master that which I also delivered to you: that the Master Yeshua in the night in which He was delivered up took bread, 1Co 11:24  and having given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat, this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 1Co 11:25  In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the renewed covenant in My blood. As often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me.” 1Co 11:26  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes. 

Now drink the third glass of wine!

The Fourth Cup of Wine—Hallel/Praise

∞ Many people choose to sing their favorite hymn here.∞ Elijah’s Cup

traditionally, an extra glass is filled with wine and placed on the table. At the end of the meal a child is asked to go to the front door to see if Elijah is there, so that he can drink from his cup. This tradition springs from the expectation that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah. Yeshua told his disciples that Elijah had indeed come in the person of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14).

Very often the last glass is raised to the toast:

“Next year in Jerusalem!”

Thank you for joining our Passover seder!