Drinking the First Cup of Wine

It is customary to recline to the left while drinking the wine and eating the matzah. This custom of reclining while eating in a leisurely fashion imitates the manner of ancient royalty. The Hebrew slaves ate quickly, standing or squatting on the ground. Until we know the ways we were enslaved, we can never be free. We drink this first cup of wine in honor of awareness.

Kiddush (the blessing over wine) |  kadeish  | קַדֵּשׁ  

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן:

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

Blessed are you, Eternal our God, sovereign of all world, who creates the fruit of the vine.

The Sch-heckeyanu prayer is said during festivals, rituals and other important events (Mel's favorite).

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.

We bless the spirit of the world who has given us life, and kept us strong and brought us to this moment.

Drink the first glass of wine!


haggadah Section: Kadesh