Before we open the door to welcome in Elijah, everyone takes a drop of water from Miriam's cup while saying a wish for what they need in the coming year. Then everyone adds a drop of wine to Elijah's cup, while saying what they can give in the coming year.

Miriam is beginning; Elijah is end. Miriam is present, Elijah is future. Miriam is place; Elijah is time. Elijah is the mountain, Miriam is the sea. The water of Miriam rises from the earth, the fire of Elijah descends from the sky. Together they are the circle of sunlight and rain, not separate or dissimilar, for both are needed for growth. We must have consciousness of both in order to be free.

We open the door and say:

We drink four cups for four promises fulfilled.

The first cup as God said, “I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians.”
The second as God said, “And I will deliver you from their bondage.”
The third as God said, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”
The fourth because God said, “I will take you to be My People.’

We know, though, that all are not yet free. As we welcome Elijah the Prophet into our homes, we offer a fifth cup, a cup not yet consumed. A fifth cup for the 60 million refugees and displaced people around the world still waiting to be free.

This comes in the following verse: “I will bring you to the Land . . .”

Elijah will announce the future, universal redemption. This is also why we do not drink, “enjoy,” the fifth cup—as we have not yet experienced this redemption


haggadah Section: Hallel
Source: Leah Tillmann-Morris