As we go through the seder, the matzah will be transformed. It will cease to be the bread of affliction and it will become the bread of hope, courage, trust and possibility.

Each person is invited to hold a piece of matzah, to feel its weight, color, shape and texture.

Resting the matzah on our open palms, we remember that the Passover story teaches that oppression and suffering result from fear and the unwillingness to open one’s heart to the pain and the experiences of others.

It was fear that brought about the enslavement of the Israelites and it was the hardening of the heart that kept the Israelites, the Egyptians and the Pharaoh in bondage. From fear and a hardened heart came violence, anguish and grief.

There are three pieces of matzah stacked on the table. In silence, aperson in the middle of the table will now break the middle matzah - the bigger half magically becomes the afikoman, the envy of all the other marzah shards in the house.

*Break the middle matzah*

Reader:

Every time we are able to act with compassion rather than anger, we stop the flow of violence.

And each moment we find the strength and courage to see ourselves in each other, we open possibilities for healing and peace.

This is the bread that we bless and share.

All:

May all who are hungry come and eat.

May all who are in need join together in this Festival of Freedom.


haggadah Section: Yachatz