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B'Chol Dor Vador: In Every Generation
Contributed by Claire Fishman

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

It says in Jewish scripture that it is incumbent on each person gathered at a  seder  to recite:  B'chol dor vador chayav adam lir'ot et atzmo k'ilu hu hatza mimitzrayim.  "In all generations it is the duty of man to consider himself as if he had come forth from Egypt."

This sentence is a stumbling block for any woman or non-binary person who wishes to fully understand what it means to be "free" as a Jew. Jewish freedom means being able to respond as a mature practicing adult to any issues which arise in the Jewish community. How can a woman or non-binary person recite  "atzmo" — "himself"—and still feel they are an adult decision-maker? If they do this, they have not yet gone out from slavery to freedom. They arestill second class.

Freedom can only be gained whenwe becomes fully knowledgeable and fully capable of speaking and acting for ourselves. This means, whenever necessary, actively—not passively—extracting herself from Pharaoh's grip, in whatever guise or form that hold takes place. And if, in the process, we find that we is in part Pharaoh to ourselves, she must renew the struggle yearly until such time when we can stand at a  seder  and recite for ourselves:

בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיָּבִים אָנוּ לִרְאוֹת אֶת עַצְמֵנוּ כְּאִלּוּ יָצָאנוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם 

For a woman or man (group):  B'khol dor vador khayavim anu lir'ot et atzmeynu k'ilu yatzanu mimitzrayim.

In every generation, it is our duty to consider ourselves as if we had come forth from Egypt.

For a woman (individual):

בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיֶּבֶת אִיְּשָׁהּ לִרְאוֹת אֶת עָצְמָה כְּאִלּוּ הִיא יִצְּאָה מִמִּצְרַיִם 

B'khol dor vador khayavet ishah lir'ot et atzma k'ilu hee yatz'ah mimitzrayim.

In every generation, it is the duty of a woman to consider herself as if she herself had come forth from Egypt.

For a non-binary person:

B'khol dor vador khayaeh isheh lir'ot et atzmeh k'ilu hee yatzeh mimitzrayim.

In every generation, it is the duty of a person to consider themselves as if they themselves had come forth from Egypt.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt, enabling us to reach this night and eat matzah and bitter herbs. May we continue to reach future holidays in peace and happiness.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the second glass of wine!

haggadah Section: Conclusion
Source: Adapted from Lichvod Pesach

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