On this night we retell the story of the Exodus from slavery in Egypt, just as our people have done for thousands of years. We share these rituals with our children because it is written, “You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought you out of bondage. You shall observe this day throughout the generations as a practice for all times.”

The Torah commands us to tell our children about the Exodus from Egypt. The first night of Passover is to be a “night of watching.” In earlier times the Israelites fulfilled these requirements by staying up all night retelling the story. “Haggadah,” which means “telling,” does just that; it tells the story of the Exodus.

The Torah states that Passover should be observed for seven days. After the exile from Judea, when Jews lived in countries throughout the world, an extra day was added because of the uncertainty of the calendar. Today, many Jews observe the holiday for eight days while others follow the Israeli practice of observing the holiday for seven days as prescribed in the Torah.


haggadah Section: Introduction
Source: Telling the Story: A Passover Haggadah Explained