The Two-Minute Haggadah      A Passover service for the Impatient

Thanks, God, for creating wine. (Drink wine)

Thanks for creating produce.  (Eat parsley)

Overview: Once we were slaves in Egypt.  Now we’re free.  That’s why we’re doing this.

Four Questions:

1.  What’s up with the matzah?

2.  What’s the deal with horseradish?

3.  What’s with the dipping of the herbs?

4.  What’s this whole slouching at the table business?

Answers:

1.  When we left Egypt, we were in a hurry.  There was no time for making decent bread.

2.  Life was bitter, like horseradish.

3.  It’s called symbolism.

4.  Free people get to slouch.

A funny story:  Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning (Heat soup now)

The four kinds of children and how deal with them.

Wise child – explain Passover.

Wicked child – browbeat in front of the relatives.

Simple child – explain Passover slowly.

Silent child (who does not know how to ask a question) – explain Passover loudly.

Speaking of children:  We hid some matzah.  Whoever finds it gets five bucks.

The story of Passover:  It’s a long time ago.  We were slaves in Egypt.

Pharaoh is a nightmare.  We cry out for help.  God brings plagues upon the Egyptians.  We escape, bake some matzoh.  God parts the Red Sea.  We make it through; the Egyptians aren’t so lucky.  We wander 40 years in the desert, eat manna, get the Torah, wind up in Israel, get a new temple, enjoy several years without being persecuted again. (Let brisket cool now.)

The 10 Plagues:  Blood, Frogs, Lice – you name it.

The singing of Dayenu

If God had gotten us out of Egypt and not punished our enemies,  It would’ve been enough.  If he’d punished our enemies and not parted the Red Sea, it would’ve been enough.  If he’d parted the Red Sea --- etc.

Explain the burnt offering, Matzoh, and bitter herbs.  (Remove gefilte fish from refrigerator now)

Eat matzoh.  Make a sandwich.  Drink more wine. Slouch.

Thanks again, God for everything.

SERVE MEAL

Pay the $5 to the child who finds the hidden Matzoh.

Say Grace.


haggadah Section: Maggid - Beginning