The seder begins lighting the candles. In Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a time of transition. Freedom is like a flickering flame, we must light it, tend it, and bless it if it is to be sustained.

Leader: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

All: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with laws and commanded us to light the festival lights.

As we light the festival candles, we acknowledge that as they brighten our Passover table, good thoughts, good words, and good deeds brighten our days.


haggadah Section: Introduction