It’s been a crazy week. The world with all its worries and bothers is still clamoring for your attention. The first step is to forget all that. Leave it behind. Enter into a timeless space, where you, your great-grandparents and Moses   all coincide.

The beginning of all journeys is separation. You’ve got to leave somewhere to go somewhere else. It is also the first step towards freedom: You ignore the voice of Pharaoh inside that mocks you, saying, “Who are you to begin such a journey?” You just get up and walk out.

This is the first meaning of the word, “Kadesh” - to  transcend  the mundane world. Then comes the second meaning: Once you’ve set yourself free from your material worries, you can return and  sanctify  them. That is when true spiritual freedom begins, when you introduce a higher purpose into all those things you do. 

Kiddush (the blessing over wine) |    kadeish   | קַדֵּשׁ  

All Jewish celebrations, from holidays to weddings, include wine as a symbol of our joy – not to mention a practical way to increase that joy. The seder starts with wine and then gives us three more opportunities to refill our cup and drink.

We welcome a special guest to lead us in the Festival Kiddush.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ,
מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ,
מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּֽחַר בָּֽנוּ

מִכׇּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָֽנוּ מִכׇּל לָשׁוֹן,
וְקִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֺתָיו.

וַתִּֽתֶּן לָֽנוּ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, בְּאַהֲבָה
מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה,
חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם
חַג הַמַּצּוֹת הַזֶּה,

זְמַן חֵרוּתֵֽנוּ,
מִקְרָא קֹֽדֶשׁ, זֵֽכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָֽיִם.
כִּי בָֽנוּ בָחַֽרְתָּ וְאוֹתָֽנוּ קִדַּֽשְׁתָּ
מִכׇּל הָעַמִּים
וּמוֹעֲדֵי קׇדְשְׁךָ
בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ
יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

TRANSLITERATION

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, asher bachar banu mikol am, v'rom'manu mikol lashon, v'kid'shanu b'mitzvotav. Vatiten lanu, Adonai Eloheinu, b'ahavah mo-adim l'simchah, chagim uz'manim l'sason, et yom  Chag HaMatzot hazeh, z'man cheiruteinu,  mikra kodesh, zeicher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mikol haamim umo-adei kodsh'cha b'simchah uv'sason hinchaltanu.

Baruch atah, Adonai m'kadeish Yisrael v'hazmanim.

TRANSLATION

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the world, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Blessed are You, Our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has chosen us from among the peoples, exalting us by hallowing us with mitzvot. In Your love, Adonai our God, You have given us feasts of gladness, and seasons of joy; this Festival of Pesach, season of our freedom, a sacred occasion, a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us from all peoples and consecrated us to Your service, and given us the Festivals, a time of gladness and joy.

Blessed are You, Adonai, who sanctifies Israel and the Festivals.


haggadah Section: Kadesh