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Pesach, Matzah, Maror & Cup 2
Contributed by Daniel Rosenberg

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

Pesach, Matzah & Maror 

Rabban Gamliel used to say: Whoever does not discuss the following three things on Passover has not fulfilled his duty, namely:

Passover (the Passover-sacrifice)

Matzah (the unleavened bread)

Maror (the bitter herbs).

Passover - the Passover-lamb that our fathers ate during the time of the Beit Hamikdash - for what reason [did they do so]?

Not everyone has achieved freedom in their lifetime. There have been many slaves in Egypt that never experienced the exodus, many slaves in the United States that never experienced emancipation, many people who have suffered and were never freed. We have the Passover-lamb to symbolize that we were fortunate enough to experience redemption, freedom, the exodus.

Take the broken Matzah into your hand and say:

This Matzah that we eat for what reason? Because the dough of our fathers did not have time to become leavened before the exodus.

Thus it is said: "They baked Matzah-cakes from the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, because it was not leavened; for they had been driven out of Egypt and could not delay, and they had also not prepared any [other] provisions."

Not only did we get to experience freedom in our lifetime, but it occurred swiftly and all at once. Often time freedom isn’t achieved slowly by eroding historical oppressions and injustices. When freedom comes, it comes suddenly. Whether it be achieved by war, revolution, proclamation or by epiphany, it is a pivotal event and it rushes in, often giving us little time to adjust to our new found freedom.

Take the maror into your hand and say:

This maror that we eat for what reason? Because the Egyptians embittered our fathers' lives in Egypt, as it is said:

"They made their lives bitter with hard service, with mortar and with bricks, and with all manner of service in the field; all their service which they made them serve with rigor."

In every generation a person is obligated to regard himself as if he had come out of Egypt. Freedom often comes out of embitterment and hardship. The hardships itself aren’t things we cherish or hope to remember, but the motivation for achieving freedom comes from first enduring hardships.

 The 2nd Cup 

  • We are now at the 2nd cup.
    • Initially satiated our desire of thirst through the 1st cup.
    • We have learned and discussed and are ready to achieve the 2nd level of freedom.
    • Not only free of physical constraints, but now more free of our mental constraints.
    • Cleared the mental fog and act out of thoughtful enquiry.
  • Yet still only the second level of freedom.

Cover the Matzah and raise the cup.

The cup is to be held in the hand until the completion of the blessing.

Recite the blessing, and drink the cup in the reclining position.
haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu

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