With the taste of bitterness just before our lips, we remind ourselves of the bitterness that led to the enslavement of our ancestors in Egypt. Tonight, we force ourselves to experience the stinging pain of the maror so that we should remember that, appallingly, even centuries later, the bitterness of xenophobia still oppresses millions of people around the world, forcing them to flee their homes. As we taste the bitter herbs, we vow not to let words of hatred pass through our own lips and to root out intolerant speech wherever we may hear it, so that no one should fall victim to baseless hatred. ְ ַ

א ָּתה יי, ָּב ּרוך ְ ָ ה ֹעוָלם, ֱאלֵֹה ּ ינו ֶ מֶלך ֲאֶׁש ִר ק ּד ְ ָׁש ּנו ְּ ב ִמ ְצֹוָתיו ְו ִצָּו ּנו ַ ע ֲל א ִכ ַיל ָת מ ֹרור.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’Olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the Universe, who sanctifies us with commandments and calls upon us to eat bitter herbs.


haggadah Section: Maror
Source: HIAS Haggadah Supplament