Ooooh Fire

Leader:

The Seder officially begins with a physical act: lighting the candles. In Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a time of transition, from the day that is ending to the one that is beginning, from ordinary time to sacred time.

Reader 1:

It is said, there is nothing new under the sun, yet nothing remains the same. Against the backdrop of eternity the earth displays an ever-changing countenance. The sun rises and the sun sets, yet each day and each season is fresh and new.

Reader 2:

Slowly, one season emerges from another. The harshness of ice and snow yields to gentle, nourishing showers. Inevitably, the cold, dark days succumb to the warmth and light of spring. We rejoice in the warm light and blessings of this season.

Leader:

Lighting the candles is an important part of our Passover celebration because their flickering light reminds us of the importance of keeping the fragile flames of hope and freedom alive in the world.

[Light the candles.]

Group:

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who has sanctified us with laws and commanded us to light the festival lights.

Leader:

A word about God: everyone has their own understanding of what God is. For some people, there is no God, while for others, God is an integral part of their lives. While we may not agree on a singular concept of God, we share a common desire for goodness to prevail in the world. And this is the meaning of tonight: freedom winning out over slavery, good prevailing over evil. As we light the candles, we acknowledge that as they brighten our Passover table, good thoughts, good words, and good deeds brighten our days.


haggadah Section: Introduction