This book is a Haggadah which means “telling.” Tonight we will be having a seder, which means, “order”. Through this traditionally ordered ritual, we will retell the story of the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt, eat special foods that symbolize Pesach's many messages, and teach each other the traditions of Pesach, first celebrated more than 3,000 years ago. An ancient rabbinic text instructs us, “Each person in every generation must regard himself or herself as having been personally freed from Egypt” for the seder to be successful. Tonight’s Seder is not just the retelling of an ancient story, but rather, we are asked to actually experience and acknowledge the bitterness of oppression and the sweetness of freedom so we may better understand the hope and courage of all people, of all generations, in their quest for liberty, security, and human rights. All questions are encouraged and are allowed to interrupt the Seder at any time.


haggadah Section: Introduction