.עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ — עַתָּה בְּנֵי חוֹרִין
Avadim hayinu — atah beney chorin.
Once we were slaves — now we are free.

We were slaves to Pharaoh in Mitzrayim, but we were taken out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. If our ancestors had not been taken out from Mitzrayim, we and our children and our children’s children would still be enslaved there today. Even if all of us were wise, understanding elders, knowledgeable about the Torah, it would still be our duty to tell the Exodus story. Anyone who adds to the telling of the Exodus is praiseworthy.

“We were slaves to Pharaoh in Mitzrayim, but Hashem our God took us out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. ” (Deuteronomy 6:21)

A strong hand, what does this mean? 
Through justice our hands are strengthened. 
“I, Hashem, have called you to justice, and strengthened your hand. I made you a people of a covenant, and appointed you as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring prisoners out of prison, those who sit in darkness out of jail.” (Isaiah 42:6-7)

An outstretched arm, what does this mean? 
With a mighty arm those sentenced to death are redeemed.
“Let prisoners’ cries reach You. With Your great arm, save those who are condemned to death.” (Psalm 79:11)


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