The first step of our Seder, Kadesh, both marks this moment as sacred and gives us the opportunity to drink our first of four cups of wine.

Please make sure that you have wine or grape juice in your cup. To symbolize our freedom on Passover and to add to the festive atmosphere, it is customary to have someone else pour wine for you. 

The root of Kadesh - ק–ד–ש (koof, daled, shin) - means "to set aside as holy." In Judaism, holiness is found in distinctions and separations. Wine is used as a ritual object at all our sacred times, as something that increases enjoyment, but the blessings of Kadesh on Passover and Kiddush on Shabbat emphasize the sacred nature of their particular moment, and separate holy time from the daily rush.

On this Passover, may we find holiness both in the things that keep us separate from one another, and in the things that bring us together.


haggadah Section: Kadesh