(The story of Matt and the rabbi continues:)

I pressed on, asking Why the maror, then, the bitter herbs ? and even then I remember blanching at the memory of horseradish on my tongue.

It is because love is bitter. Even at its best, there is bitterness in love. We remember that our people tasted the burning discomfort and strife of love but they ate it all the same, in order that they might love each other and what is divine in them.

ברוּךְ אַתָּה יְיַָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מרוֹר

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elo-heinu Melech Ha-olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu Al Achilat Maror. 

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sancti- fied us with His laws and commanded us to eat bitter herbs.


haggadah Section: Maror
Source: Matt Minnicino