Four promises were made to B’ney Yisra’el at the beginning of the Exodus: they would be taken out of Egypt, freed from slavery, redeemed and made a people. In the biblical narrative, 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 us to do the same. We will never truly be able to attain abolition, liberation, or transformation without a strong community fighting together. If we are to be free, we must free each other. No one else will save us. When B’ney Yisrael were trapped between the Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moshe cried out to Hashem for help. Instead of splitting the sea, Hashem responded, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the people to move forward.” (Exodus 14:15) The sea couldn’t part until the first step was taken.

✧ What might the first step be?

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שְׁכִינָה, רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵאת פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

(Fem:) Brucha at Shechinah, ru’ach ha-olam, boreyt p’ree ha-gafen.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

(Masc:) Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borey p’ree ha-gafen.

Blessed are You, who creates the fruits of the vine.

Lean to the left and drink the wine or grape juice.   After the entire glass of wine has been finished, say:

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שְׁכִינָה, רוּחַ הָעוֹלָם, עַל הָאָרֶץ וְעַל פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

(Fem:) Brucha at Shechinah, ru’ach ha-olam, al ha-aretz ve-al pri ha-gafen

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, עַל הָאָרֶץ וְעַל פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

(Masc:) Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, al ha-aretz ve-al pri ha-gafen.

Blessed are You, for the earth and for the fruit of the vine. 
 


haggadah Section: Hallel
Source: Min Ha-Meitzar: An Abolitionist Haggadah from the Narrow Place by Noraa Kaplan