The seder officially begins with the candle lighting. In the Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a transition of time, from the day that is ending to the one that is beginning. 

בָּ רוּך אַ תָּ ה יְ יָ, אֱ להֵ ינוּ מֶ לֶ ך הָ עוֹלָ ם, אֲ שֶׁ ר קִ דְּ שָׁ נוּ בְּ מִ צְ וֹתָ יו וְ צִ וָּ נוּ לְ הַ דְ לִ יק נֵ ר שֶׁ ל יוֹם טוֹב.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel yom tov. We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations, commanding us to light the holiday candles.

As we light the candles and welcome the glow of Passover into our homes, we pray that all those suffering around the world find light in the darkness. We pray that our experience tonight helps us to ignite the spark of justice within each of us. We pray that we have the strength to carry forth this light into the world, creating a beautiful and bold fame that inspires others to work by our sides to pursue freedom and justice for all people.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: American Jewish World Service