Nirtzah marks the conclusion of the seder. Our bellies are full, we have had several glasses of wine, we have told stories and sung songs, and now it is time for the evening to come to a close. Time for you to get out.

The last thing we have to do at the end of the seder is honor the tradition of declaring, “Next year in Jerusalem!” 

No jokes this time... 

Though it comes at the end of the seder, this moment also marks a beginning. We are beginning the next season with a renewed awareness of the freedoms we enjoy and the obstacles we must still confront. We are looking forward to the time that we gather together again. Having retold stories of the Jewish people, recalled historic movements of liberation, and reflected on the struggles people still face for freedom and equality, we are ready to embark on a year that we hope will bring positive change in the world and freedom to people everywhere.

“Passover is the night for reckless dreams; for visions about what a human being can be, what society can be, what people can be, what history may become.”  - Rabbi David Hartman 

What can we do to fulfill our reckless dreams? What will be our legacy for future generations?

לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בִּירוּשָׁלָֽיִם

L’shana haba-ah biy’rushalayim

NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!


haggadah Section: Nirtzah