HA LACHMA 'ANYA

A. The Text
Just before beginning the "question-answer" format of the Seder, we raise the Matzah and make a three-tiered statement:

1) This is the bread of poverty/oppression that our ancestors ate in Egypt.

2) Anyone who is hungry, let him come and eat, anyone who needs to, come and partake in our Pesach (offering?) (celebration?)

3) This year we are here, next year - in Eretz Yisra'el. This year, we are slaves, next year - noblemen.

As can be seen, the first "tier" is a declaration regarding the Matzah - it is the lehem 'oni (see D'varim 16:3) which our ancestors ate in Egypt.

The second "tier" is an invitation; and the final piece is a prayer, that next year we should be freemen/noblemen in our Land.


haggadah Section: Yachatz
Source: Torah.org