"You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt." -- Shemot: 22:20

As we remember our own liberation from bondage in Egypt, we drink this cup of wine to honor those for whom the story of the Jewish exodus is a daily reality, in hope that they may find their freedom as we found ours. We as a people have stood in the shoes of the refugee. Just as we remember all of the times throughout history when the nations of the world shut their doors on Jews fleeing persecution in their homelands, so, too, do we remember with gratitude those who took us in during our times of need  the Ottoman Sultan who welcomed Spanish Jews escaping the Inquisition, Algerian Muslims who protected Jews during pogroms in the French Pied-Noir, and the righteous gentiles hiding Jews in their homes during World War II. Today, as we celebrate our freedom, we commit ourselves to standing with contemporary refugees. In honor of this commitment, we place a pair of shoes on our doorstep of this home to to pledge to stand in support of welcoming those who do not yet have a place to call home.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

Blessed are You, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: -- Cup #2 & Dayenu