The second cup of wine is dedicated to all those struggling for freedom today, struggling to be freed from economic oppression, psychological imprisonment, and debt bondage. The Israelites of the Exodus story were not captured from foreign lands and maintained as possessions as the slaves of the 19th century, but were forced through economic and social necessity to work against their will, or face starvation and death.

So too is the face of human trafficking today. An estimated 21 to 36 million people are enslaved around the world today, the majority working in labor-intensive industries like food production and brick making. While some slaves are captured or tricked into slavery through false contracts, others are given loans they are expected to work off, with interest accumulation that makes it impossible to leave. Slaves are profitable and plentiful workers, especially in places where the population growth outstrips the jobs available, such as in under-industrialized parts of the world.

Without capitalism there would be no slavery. When the workers collectively own and control the means of production we can have full employment with fair compensation, and there will be no issues of uneven development. Socialism is the answer to the crisis of capitalism and it is the answer to ending enslavement.

Let the second cup stand for this struggle.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Blessed are you, Sprit of the universe, who makes the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu
Source: http://www.freetheslaves.net/about-slavery/slavery-today/