Jacob Marx Rice is a playwright and screenwriter based in Queens, New York. According to his website: "I try to write comedies but everyone always ends up crying."

Passover is a holiday of doors. From the marking of doorways that gives the holiday its name, to the symbolic door God opened through the red sea, to the name of this final cup of wine, Hallel, the Jewish prayer that asks God to open the gates of righteousness so we can pass through.

As part of this final cup, we open our door to invite Elijah into our Seder. We even pour him a glass of wine. Tradition says that when Elijah joins us for Passover, he will bring a message of hope that unites the world in redemption, connection and love.

Perhaps the strangest thing about Elijah is that no one knows what he looks like. Throughout his stories, he dons disguises, often appearing as a mysterious stranger or even a beggar. Once, was so hideous that the Rabi Eliezer even refused to bless him. If Elijah can look like anyone, then the only way to invite him in is to invite everyone: strangers, beggars, anyone who needs a good meal or a bit of joyful company.

Passover teaches us that redemption is not just a gift, it is a call to action. God delivered the Jews from Egypt, but he made them wander a desert until they were ready to embrace the promised land. He will open the door of righteousness for us, but only if we first open our doors, to friends and family of course, but also people who are poor or sick or lost or desperate. 

Passover celebrates our salvation, but this final cup reminds us that the world still needs saving. We must work to make the world a more hopeful place. We must pry open every door and embrace every stranger. If we do that, then next Passover, we might find ourselves with an extra guest and a bit of redemption.

(Now we pour the fourth cup of wine and pray together)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: Hallel
Source: Jacob Marx Rice