At the beginning of the Exodus, four promises were made to B’ney Yisra’el: they would be taken out of slavery, given freedom, redeemed, and made a people. The last promise only came true after the first three were fulfilled. B’ney Yisra’el had to be liberated before they could reach Sinai and become the Jewish people. Barring divine intervention, it is impossible for abolition, liberation, or transformation to take place with- out a community to take root in. If we want to be delivered from slavery, we must free each other. No one will save us. When B’ney Yisrael was trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army, Moses cried to Hashem for help. Instead of splitting the sea, Hashem simply responded, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell them to move forward.” (Exodus 14:15) The sea couldn’t part until someone took the first step.
How do we transform a community?

.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן
Baruch atah Adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, borey p’ree ha-gafen.
Blessed are you, who creates the fruits of the vine.
 


haggadah Section: Hallel