All Jewish celebrations involve wine. Tonight we will start with a cup to prepare ourselves for the seder, and we'll refill our cups (at least) three more times. With each glass, we'll say the kiddush - the traditional blessing over wine. We drink this first glass in honor of everyone who came before us, who worked hard and risked their own lives and safety so that we, their children, could live in safety and peace. Before we drink, though, we'll say the shehecheyanu - a prayer giving thanks that we have been kept alive, nurtured and brought here, to this time and this place.

בָרוּךְ אַתָה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְמָנוּ
וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶה

Baruch atah, Adonai, eloheinu melech ha’olam,
shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

Blessed are you, Adonai, sovereign of all worlds, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: Kadesh