Uncover the three pieces of matzah and hold them up. Break the middle matzah into two pieces. We wrap up the larger of the pieces and hide it. This piece is called the afikomen, literally “dessert” in Greek. We can’t end the seder without the afikomen.

We eat matzah to remember the Exodus when the Hebrews had to leave Mitzrayim quickly. When the word of their freedom came, the Hebrews baked dough before it had a chance to rise, leaving as fast as possible.

הָא לַחְמָא עַמְיָא דִּי אֲכָלוּ אַבְהָתָנָא בְּאַרְעָא דְמִצְרָיִם
כָּל דִּכְפִין יֵיתֵי וְיֵיכוֹל
כָּל דִּצְרִיךְ יֵיתֵי וְיִפְסַח
הָשַׁתָּא עַבְדֵּי - לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה חוֹרִין

Ha lachma anya di achalu avhatana b’ara d’Mitzrayim. Kol dichfin yeitei v’yechol. Kol ditzrich yeitei v’ yifsach. Hashata avdei lashanah haba’ah b’nei chorin.

This is the bread of poverty that our ancestors ate in the land of Mitzrayim. All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy, come and celebrate Passover with us. This year we are slaves; next year we will be free.

All are welcome at our table because until all of us are free, none of us will be free. This is the Jewish story and our modern reality: we leave places of persecution time and again, finding homes in new places as refugees and immigrants. We draw on our experiences to make space for all those who wish to join us.

Open the door as a sign of hospitality. Place a pair of shoes on the doorstep to acknowledge those who do not have a place to call home.


haggadah Section: Yachatz
Source: HaggadahOfOurOwn.com