Why Are We Here?

By Judy Feder

To tell the story of the Exodus

To remember who we are, where we came from, and what is important

To celebrate freedom and be thankful for it

To share

To pray for redemption

To protest against despair

To think

To hope

The Haggadah transforms parents into storytellers. My parents bring me into contact with my historical roots, with my grandparents and a world other than me. Whether it is relevant, the child will decide; but the parent must bear witness to a history and a memory that is needed in order to realize that there is a dimension to existence beyond the self. Parents should not determine their children’s future, but they must open for them their past. Source: David Hartman, Jewish philosopher


haggadah Section: Commentary / Readings