Two Extra Cups- One for the prophet Elijah and one for Miriam.

Elijah's Cup is filled with wine at the beginning of the seder and is left untouched. Elijah, the prophet, is a guest in every Jewish household on this night. At the end of the seder, we will open the door to Elijah in the hopes that he will come and announce the coming of the Messiah.

Miriam's cup is filled with water at the beginning of the seder and is left untouched. Miriam, the prophetess who lead our women in song as the seas parted, has a deep connection to water. Miriam's well is said to have been a magical source of water that followed the Israelites for 40 years. The waters of this well were said to be healing and sustaining, and when Miriam died, the waters dried up.
 

Thus, Miriam’s Cup is a symbol of all that sustains us through our own journeys, while Elijah’s Cup is a symbol of a future Messianic time.


haggadah Section: Introduction