The last of our four cups is dedicated to the right of every human being to enjoy themselves and their lives fully, without fear of oppression, without constant worry about food security or how to pay the bills. We are incredibly alienated from ourselves and the people around us by the daily grind of living under capitalism. We don't have time to enjoy ourselves from the constant work, obligations, and sheer exhaustion. One of the best things about socialism is when the point of production is to fulfill the needs of the people, and not for accumulation of capital, we can have more people working fewer hours each, giving more time for everyone to enjoy themselves and find fulfillment and self-actualization in their lives. The flourishing of art and culture in the Soviet Union, especially in the 1920s, is a testament to the possibilities opened by free time. Think of the music that can be created, the plays that can be written, the inventions that can be discovered, the sleep that we've all been lacking for most of our lives, if only we didn't have to work so much. Not to mention the impact of mental illness triggered and deepened by stress and worry.

With this glass we commit to promoting the right to joy for every person, not just the tiny minority who don't have to work for a living. This is the beautiful future promised by socialism, and we are the agents to bring it into the world.

Baruch atah adonai Elohenu melech ha-olam borei pri hagafen.

Blessed are you, Sovereign of the universe, who gives us the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: Hallel