Now as we pass Elijah's cup around the table, think of one hope you have for the future. It could be a personal hope, a hope for the community, a hope for the world, or whatever type of hope that comes to you. As you either say your hope aloud or in your heart, please pour some of your wine into the cup.

There is a special cup on the table, called Miriam’s Cup, which is for water. Water has sustained us all for generations, in the most difficult environments. It is a symbol of purity and sustenance in many faiths around the world. Miriam’s cup is also a symbol of compassion. Miriam, Moses’ birth sister, watched out for Moses when he was in the water as a baby. She provided water to the Jews when they were in the hot desert. Miriam’s cup reminds us we are to be kind and thoughtful to the people around us. It also reminds us of the way life tends to work out in miraculous ways when we are doing what we think is right. It is by helping each other that we do great things. Let us drink from a glass of water to honor Miriam’s compassion, and doing what we know is right. (Take a drink of water.)


haggadah Section: Shulchan Oreich