(The host uncovers the three pieces of matzoh and holds up one piece.)

Host: We eat matzoh in memory of the quick flight of our ancestors from Egypt. As slaves, they faced many false starts before finally securing their freedom. So when the word of their freedom came, they took whatever dough they had and ran with it before it had the chance to rise, letting it bake in the sun, and thus looking something like matzah.

This is the bread of poverty which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy, come and celebrate Passover with us. This year we are here; next year may we be in Israel. This year we are slaves; next year we will be free.

We recognize that liberation is made by imperfect people. We cannot wait until we are pure, holy, spiritually centered, and psychologically healthy to get involved in the healing and repair of the world. We are enough as we are to work on the healing and repair of the world.


haggadah Section: Yachatz