It is told: Rabbi Eleazar, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon gathered together in the town of B'nei B'rak.  They were so engaged in their discussion of the Exodus from Egypt, which continued throughout the night, that they were startled when their disciples interrupted them: " Raboteinu,  Our Teachers!   Higia z'man:  The time has come to recite the morning  Sh'ma!"

We are the heirs of these teachers.  Like them, we come together tonight to discuss Exodus from Egypt.  Despite all that threatens to separate us from one another and our tradition - fires of terror, wastelands of affluence, seas of indifference - we come together to ask questions and to learn the lessons of the Exodus for those of us who live in freedom. 

At every seder table, we celebrate our inheritance: challenging questions and provocative answers, discussions that reach across differences of age and experience.   Higia z'man:  The time has come to embrace this story as our own.   Higia z'man:  The time has come to honor each generation reading this story anew.   Higia z'man : The time has come to join hands with all who dream of freedom.   Higia z'man:  The time has come.  


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions