Lean to the left while drinking the first glass of wine!

Leader will now chant the festival Kiddish.

RAISE YOUR GLASS:

FOUR CUPS, FOUR TOASTS

Raising one's glass in a toast is a practice that spans cultures and centuries. The Greeks had it, as did the Romans. Sometimes the observance of toasting rituals was a pretest for excessive drinking. As in so many areas, Judaism elevated the custom by finding a way to make it a spiritual practice, which demonstrates celebration and gratitude without descending into base behavior. Rabbi Joseph H. Lookstein once explained, "Other cultures drink; the Jews say L'Chaim (to life)!" Jewish law adds solemnity and importance to many blessings, by pronouncing them over a cup of wine, which is then called Kos shel Berakha (cup of blessing). On the Seder night, there is an added facet to each of the four cups of wine; beyond the blessing which they enhance, they are also the concrete expressions of freedom or herut. We toast God, the liberator. And at specific moments in the Haggadah's recitation, we simply lift our glass to God, in a sign of respect and thanksgiving.

from The (unofficial) Hog warts Haggadah


haggadah Section: Kadesh