The Story

Our story starts in ancient times, with Abraham, the first person smash the idols in his father's shop and embrace the idea of one-true God. God had made a promise to Abraham that his family would become a great nation, but warned: “Your descendants will dwell for a time in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and afflicted for four hundred years; however, I will punish the nation that enslaved them, and afterwards they shall leave with great wealth."

Raise the glass of wine (but do not drink) and say:

וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְלָֽנוּ

V’hi she-amda l’avoteinu v’lanu.

This promise has sustained our ancestors and us.

For not only one enemy has risen against us to annihilate us, but in every generation there are those who rise against us. In every generation God has protected us from harm.

The glass of wine is put down.

In the years our ancestors lived in Egypt, Pharaoh came to fear the Israelites so Pharaoh enslaved them and decreed that Israelite baby boys should be drowned, to prevent their numbers growing too large.

God heard the cries of the Israelites and brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with great awe, miraculous signs and wonders. God brought us out not by angel or messenger, but through God’s own intervention. 


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story