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The Answer
Contributed by Shayna Goldberg

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

These are important questions. But before we answer them, let us read the story of Jewish hope. The tale of the Jews' first quest for freedom from slavery in Egypt was written so long ago that no one knows how much of it is fact and how much is fiction. Like all good stories, however, the lessons it teaches are valid and important.

We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt and the Eternal G-d brought us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Now if G-d had not brought out our forefathers from Egypt, then even we, our children and our children's children might still have been enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt. Therefore, even if we were all wise, all people of understanding, and even if we were all old and well learned in the Torah, it would still be our duty to tell the story of our departure from Egypt. 

It is written that long ago, during a time of famine, the ancient Israelites traveled to Egypt. According to this legend, the Israelites at the time were all in a single gamily - Jacob and his children. One of Jacob's sons was Joseph, whose wisdom caused the Pharaoh to promote Joseph to a leadership role.

Generations passed and our people remained in Egypt. In time, a new Pharaoh ascended the throne and ordered our people enslaved. In fear of rebellion, Pharaoh decreed that all Hebrew boy-children be killed. Two midwives named Shifrah and Puah defied his orders, claiming that "The Hebrew women are so hardy, they give birth before we arrive!" Through their courage, a boy survived.

Fearing for his safety, his family placed him in a basket and he floated down the Nile. He was found and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, who named him Moshe because "from the water she drew him forth." Moses grew as a child of privilege, but he became aware of the slaves, and in his anger over their mistreatment, he struck and killed an overseer. He then left Egypt, finding out who he was from G-d speaking to him through the burning bush. 

Moses returned to Egypt and went to Pharaoh to argue the injustice of slavery. He gave Pharaoh a mandate which resounds through history: Let my people go.

Pharaoh refused, and Moses warned him that G-d would strike the Egyptian people. It was only after the plagues that Pharaoh agreed to their liberation. Fearful that Pharaoh would change his mind, the Jewish people fled, not waiting for their bread to rise - which is where matzah comes from.

At our Passover seder, we celebrate the story of Moses and the people he led out of slavery 3,000 years ago. We celebrate the struggle of all people to be free. Throughout the centuries, the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt has inspired Jews and non-Jews in times of persecution and hardship.

The freedom we celebrate tonight is not only freedom from slavery. It is also the freedom to live in peace, with dignity and with hope for a bright future. This constant vision has inspired the Jewish people since the ancient times recorded in the Bible.
haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story
Source: Issie Berish and Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

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