Telling our Stories:

Torah, Exodus 3:4,6,7,9,10

And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said: 'Moses, Moses.' And he said: 'Here am I...' God then said: 'I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.'And God said: 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their pains... And now, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me; moreover I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you will bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.'

Exodus 14:21-22

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Quran 2:47-50

"O children of Israel! Remember those blessings of Mine with which I graced you, and how I favored you above all other people [for this Message]. And remain conscious of [the coming of] a Day when no one soul shall in the least avail another, nor shall intercession be accepted from any of them, nor shall compensation be taken from them, and none shall be succored [from outside].

“And [remember the time] when We saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who afflicted you with cruel suffering, slaughtering your sons and sparing your women; therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord. and when We cleft the sea before you, and thus saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people before your very eyes."

Quran 5:20

And LO, Moses said unto his people:”O my people! Remember the blessings which God bestowed upon you when he raised up prophets among you, and made you your own masters, and granted unto you [favors] such as He had not granted to anyone else in the world.”

Activity:

Partner with someone you don't know, and take turns answering the following questions:

What does the story of the liberation from Egypt mean to you? In your tradition and in your own life?

The Exodus story is communal and also personal. Share about an experience of overcoming a challenge, of moving from a "narrow place" to a place of expansiveness?

What are your hopes for liberation for yourself, your community, and your world right now?


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story