Regarding the slavery of the Israelites, the Torah says, “And the Egyptians embittered their lives with hard labor” (Exo. 1:14), from which we get our word maror (bitterness). When we eat the bitter herbs, we remember the sorrow, trouble, and suffering of our life in bondage to sin. As the horseradish brings tears to our eyes, may we also remember the affliction of those who still suffer in bondage. Take a piece of Matzah and dip it in the horseradish and recite the following blessing before eating it.

Barukh attah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kideshanu be’mitzvotav ve’tzivanu al achilat maror.

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to eat maror.

All eat.


haggadah Section: Maror