On the First Seder Night

AND THUS IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT

Of old, most of the wonders You did perform at night. At the head of the watches is this very night. Full victory came to Abraham, When he divided his company that night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

You judged the king of Gerar in a dream at ngiht; You frightened Laban in the midst of the night; And Israel wrestled with God and prevailed at night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

You struck down the first-born of Egypt at midnight; And terrified Midian with a loaf of bread in a dream at night; The armies of Sisera You swept away by the stars at night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

The Assyrian armies besieging Jerusalem were stricken at night; Bel and his pedestal were overthrown in the darkest of the night; To Daniel you revealed your mysteries at night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

King Belshazzar of Babylon became drunk of the holy vessels was slain at night; Daniel saved from the lions' den interpreted the terrifying dreams of the night; Haman wrote his edicts of hate at night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

You acheived Your victory over him in the sleeplessness of Ahasuerus at night; You will tread the winepress for them that ask: "Watchman, what of the night?"; Like the watchman, may he cry out: "The morning has come even as the night."

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !

May the day draw near which is neither day nor night. O God, make it known that Yours is the day and also the night. Appoint guards over Your city all day and all night. Make bright like the day the darkness of the night.

IT HAPPENED AT MIDNIGHT !


haggadah Section: Songs
Source: The Orange Haggadah