All Jewish celebrations, from Shabbat to High Holy Days to weddings, include wine as a symbol of our joy. (Not to mention a practical way to increase that joy.) Famous for its wine consumption, the Passover seder starts with wine and then gives us three more opportunities to refill our cup and drink.

Note to children and others who do not wish to overindulge: four sips of wine is just as good as four cups of wine. And for those to whom even four sips is too much, that's why they make grape juice!

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam,
she-hechiyanu v’key’manu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

Blessed art thou, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe,
who gave us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this joyous occasion.


haggadah Section: Kadesh