A Prayer of Peace for the People of Ukraine
by Rabbi Naomi Levy

God, Our hearts are with all the people of Ukraine,
Its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, 
And with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Ukraine
200,000 souls
Who crouch in fear 
As the sound of sirens and bombs pierces the air.
Synagogues once filled with songs of celebration 
Have become makeshift shelters.
Echos of the Holocaust reverberate,
The memory of the one and a half million 
Martyred Ukrainian Jews. 

God, we pray that the panic in the streets of Ukraine 
Will give way to the sound of children playing,
And the sound of sirens will give way to songs of hope.
We pray that the world community will unite
And cause the Russian army to retreat.
We pray for no more violence 
Or bloodshed
And we pray that diplomacy
Will be the path to peace.

Hear our prayers, God,
Hear the prayers of the mothers and fathers,
the prayers of the children 
longing for safety.
God, our Shelter, 
Bring peace.
Let it rain down from the heavens like a mighty storm.
Let it wash away all hatred and bloodshed.
Peace, God. Please, God. Amen.

The Matzah Show
Humorous
Bangitout.com

(to the theme of "The Muppet Show")

It's time to burn some chometz
It's time to bless the lights
It's time to start the seder, on the Matzah Show tonight

It's time to put on kittels
It's time to lean left, not right
It's time to raise the 4 cups, on the Matzah Show tonight

It's time to ask some questions
It's time to leave Egypt tonight
It's time to get things started on the most sensational
Inspirational, celebrational, sederational
This is what we call the Matzah Show!!!!!

(Discussion #1: How could Kermit be a plague?)

The blessings below are for a weeknight. (On Shabbat we add the words in parentheses)

וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאַָם. וַיְכַל אֱלֹקִים בַּיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אוֹתוֹ כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בֶָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת

(Vay'hi erev vay'hi voker yom hashi-shi. Vay'chulu hashamayim v'ha-aretz v’choltzva’am. Vay’chal Elohim bayom hashvi’i, m'lachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hashvi-i, mikol-mlachto asher asah. Vay'vareich Elohim, et-yom hashvi’i, vay'kadeish oto, ki vo shavat mikol-mlachto, asher-bara Elohim la-asot.)

(“And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Now the heavens and all their host were completed. And on the seventh day God finished His work of creation which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on that day God rested from His work and ceased creating.)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר בָּנוּ מִכָּל עָם וְרוֹמְמָנוּ מִכָּל לָשׁוֹן וְקִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו. וַתִּתֶּן לָנוּ יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּאַהֲבָה (שַׁבָּתוֹת לִמְנוּחָה וּ) מוֹעֲדִים לְשִׂמְחָה, חַגִּים וּזְמַנִּים לְשָׂשׂוֹן, אֶת יוֹם (הַשַׁבָּת הַזֶה וְאֶת יוֹם) חַג הַמַצוֹת הַזֶה, זְמַן חֵרוּתֵנוּ (בְּאַהֲבָה), מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, (וְשַׁבָּת) וּמוֹעֲדֵי קָדְשֶךָ (בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן,) בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׂשׂוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי, מְקַדֵּשׁ (הַשַׁבָּת וְ) יִשְׂרָאֵל וְהַזְּמַנִּים.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, asher bachar banu mikol’am, v'rom'manu mikol-lashon, v'kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, vatiten-lanu Adonai Eloheinu b'ahavah (shabatot limnuchah u) moadim l'simchah, chagim uz'manim l'sason et-yom (hashabat hazeh v'et-yom) chag hamatzot hazeh. Z'man cheiruteinu, (b'ahavah,) mikra kodesh, zeicher litziat mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta v'otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim. (v'shabat) umo’adei kod’shecha (b'ahavah uv'ratzon) b'simchah uv'sason hinchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai, m'kadeish (h’shabbat v') Yisrael v'hazmanim.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has chosen us from among all people, and languages, and made us holy through Your mitzvot, giving us lovingly [Shabbat for rest] festivals for joy, and special times for celebration, this [Shabbat and this] Passover, this [given in love] this sacred gathering to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. You have chosen us, You have shared Your holiness with us among all other peoples. For with [Shabbat and] festive revelations of Your holiness, happiness and joy You have granted us [lovingly] joyfully the holidays. Praised are you, Adonai, Who sanctifies [Shabbat], Israel and the festivals.

On Saturday night include the following section:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמַבְדִיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחֹל, ין אוֹר לְחשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. בֵּין קְדֻשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לִקְדֻשַּׁת יוֹם טוֹב הִבְדַּלְתָּ, וְאֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה קִדַּשְׁתָּ. הִבְדַּלְתָּ וְקִדַּשְׁתָּ אֶת עַמְּךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּקְדֻשָּׁתֶךָ. ,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי הַמַּבְדִיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְקֹדֶשׁ

( Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei m'orei ha-eish.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, hamavdil bein kodesh l'chol bein or l'choshech, bein Yisrael la-amim, bein yom hashvi-i l'sheishet y'mei hama-aseh. Bein k'dushat shabat likdushat yom tov hivdalta. V'et-yom hashvi-i misheishet y'mei hama-aseh kidashta. Hivdalta v'kidashta et-am'cha yisra-eil bikdushatecha. Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh l'kodesh.)

(Praised are You Adonai our God Lord of the universe who created the lights of fire.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who makes a distinction between the holy and profane, light and darkness, Israel and the nations, Shabbat and the six workdays. You have made a distinction between the holiness of Shabbat and the holiness of the festival, and You have sanctified Shabbat above the six work-days. You have set apart and made holy Your people Israel with your holiness. Praised are you, Adonai, who distinguishes between degrees of sanctity.)

Say this Shehechiyanu blessing the first Seder night only:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶה

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam,
she’hecheyanu v'ki'manu v'higi-anu laz'man hazeh.

Praised are you, Adonai, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe,
who has sustained us, maintained us and enabled us to reach this moment in life.

Cup of Miriam

Can we be humble enough to admit when we do not know something, rather than pretending to have the answer? Can we be gracious enough to answer another’s question without shaming them for not knowing? Can we be brave enough to inquire within, and ask ourselves our own hard questions? Can we open our hearts to the love that wants to come in, if only we will release our clever defenses?

FOUR QUESTIONS [asked in sarcasm with big eye rolls]

Like seriously why is this night like soooo different from all the other nights? They’re just nights.

• Like seriously why is it – are you kidding me? - that like on all the other nights – every single night – all the time – we eat either leavened bread or matza – no, we don’t but, if that’s like what you want to believe than fine, go ahead - , but on this night we eat only matza plus a bunch of other stuff that’s mostly disgusting?
• Like seriously why – are you joking? - is it that on all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables – ya, right, in your parent dreams - but on this night we eat bitter herbs – and it’s super hot like wasabi or something?
• Like seriously why is it that on all other nights we do not dip [our food] even once except when we are eating French fries & ketchup or any other of about ten zillion situations, but on this night we dip them twice like we’re robots or something?
• Like seriously why is it that on all other nights we dine either sitting upright or reclining which is so not true because when we slouch you get like sooooo mad at us, but ya, sure if that’s what you want to believe, just go ahead, and fine and so on this night we all like just recline – even though I am reading this sitting straight up and you are all sitting there just listening and like none of you are reclining not even a little but whatever?

(RAPPED TO THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR THEME SONG)

Now this is a story all about how

Some plagues came and flipped my smile into a frown

Now I need to pop this boil (Plague 6) – hey watch out for that bear (Plague 4)!

I’ll tell you how our firstborns were murdered (Plague 10) ’cause of Moses’s dare

Just West of the Nile born and raised,

Racing chariots was how I spent most of my days,

Being groomed for leadership, women galore,

Drinking with Moses some crazy tall pours

When my dad got sick and like that I understood

Egypt was mine - for bad or for good

I looked around at all the Israelites and man I got scared

Don’t overrun my home – I really did care!

The Israelites begged and pleaded with me day after day

’Cause I enslaved and made ’em bundle a crap-ton of hay

Making bricks for my cities, getting whipped in every pit

Then one day Moses murdered an Egyptian he hit

After many years away Moses came back just like that

He said God wanted me to free them – wearing a little Jew hat

I said I don’t think so, you need a breath of fresh air

Then the Nile turned to blood (Plague 1) – man it really wasn’t fair

Well, other plagues followed – all my cattle got gout (Plague 5)

Locusts filled up the whole sky (Plague 8), I started to doubt

In the end it was a no brainer, the choice just really clear

I let them go, then changed my mind, who else would make my beer?

I whistled for my chariot and when it came near

Its wheels were covered in frogs (Plague 2) – and hail (Plague 7) had

shattered the mirror

’Twas for the best because of lice (Plague 3) I’d shaved all my hair

But I thought “Man at least it’s dark” (Plague 9) – no one will be aware

I pulled up to the sea not realizing my fate

And I yelled to my soldiers – “Those Israelites are haters”

They chased them onto dry land – no time to beware

Those waves crashed down, and my kingdom was bare

The Haggadah collection at the National Library of Israel is considered the most comprehensive in the world, and includes over 8,500 Haggadahs from all ages and throughout the world. This is an image of the 10 Plagues from the Amsterdam Haggadah from the 1738.

As we rejoice at our deliverance from slavery, we acknowledge that our freedom was hard-earned. We regret that our freedom came at the cost of the Egyptians’ suffering, for we are all human beings made in the image of God. We pour out a drop of wine for each of the plagues as we recite them.

Dip a finger or a spoon into your wine glass for a drop for each plague.

These are the ten plagues which God brought down on the Egyptians:

Blood | dam | דָּם

Frogs | tzfardeiya |  צְפַרְדֵּֽעַ

Lice | kinim | כִּנִּים

Beasts | arov | עָרוֹב

Cattle disease | dever | דֶּֽבֶר

Boils | sh’chin | שְׁחִין

Hail | barad | בָּרָד

Locusts | arbeh | אַרְבֶּה

Darkness | choshech | חֹֽשֶׁךְ

Death of the Firstborn | makat b’chorot | מַכַּת בְּכוֹרוֹת

The Egyptians needed ten plagues because after each one they were able to come up with excuses and explanations rather than change their behavior. Could we be making the same mistakes? Make up your own list. What are the plagues in your life? What are the plagues in our world today? What behaviors do we need to change to fix them? 

One of most beloved songs in the Passover seder is "Dayenu". A few of us will read the stanzas one at a time, and the everyone else will respond, "Dayenu" – meaning, “it would have been enough”.

How many times do we forget to pause and notice that where we are is exactly where we ought to be? Dayenu is a reminder to never forget all the miracles in our lives. When we stand and wait impatiently for the next one to appear, we are missing the whole point of life. Instead, we can actively seek a new reason to be grateful, a reason to say “Dayenu.”

Fun fact: Persian and Afghani Jews hit each other over the heads and shoulders with scallions every time they say Dayenu! They especially use the scallions in the ninth stanza which mentions the manna that the Israelites ate everyday in the desert, because Torah tells us that the Israelites began to complain about the manna and longed for the onions, leeks and garlic. Feel free to be Persian/Afghani for the evening if you’d like.

POUR ONE OUT

Reflect and discuss: Who isn’t here that you’re thinking about?

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Borei Pri HaGafen.

We acknowledge the Unity of All,
and express gratitude for the fruit of the vine.

Drink Cup #2.

APOLOGIES TO DR. ATKINS

Bread is a symbol of the partnership between humankind and the natural world – it doesn’t just magically appear from the ground – it takes human partnership (and it’s delicious).

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Hamotzi Lechem Min Ha’aretz.

We acknowledge the Unity of All and express gratitude for bread from the earth.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מַצָּה

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Asher Kideshanu B’mitzvotav V’tzivanu Al Achilat Matzah.

We acknowledge the Unity of All and express gratitude for the opportunity to connect by eating matzah.

Eat matzah.

Discussion Question:  We’re saying the prayer for bread ... over matzah? Is matzah bread? Feel free to use Rav Google to help you out and enjoy the debate!

Break some bread (or matzah!) and enjoy the festive meal!

Talk about the things that matter in life: family, global refugee policies / solutions, what’s happening with the Star Wars expanded universe!
When you’re wrapping up, take 5 minutes to reflect on the things in life you’re grateful for (go beyond health, family and friends), and try to summarize them all into a single sentence that you write down to share later.

Reflect & Share

Have each person offer a single word of praise about the world, nature, humanity, food, etc.

Cup #4:

Take a moment to raise a glass and share your favorite toasts!

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Borei Pri HaGafen.

We acknowledge the Unity of All, and express gratitude for the fruit of the vine.

Drink Cup #4.

Who knows one?
I know one.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows two?
I know two.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows three?
I know three.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows four?
I know four.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows five?
I know five.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows six?
I know six.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows seven?
I know seven.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows eight?
I know eight.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows nine?
I know nine.
Nine are the months to childbirth.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows ten?
I know ten.
Ten are the commandments at Sinai.
Nine are the months to childbirth.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows eleven?
I know eleven.
Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream.
Ten are the commandments at Sinai.
Nine are the months to childbirth.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows twelve?
I know twelve.
Twelve are the Tribes of Israel.
Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream.
Ten are the commandments at Sinai.
Nine are the months to childbirth.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

Who knows thirteen?
I know thirteen.
Thirteen are the attributes of God.
Twelve are the Tribes of Israel.
Eleven are the stars of Joseph’s dream.
Ten are the commandments at Sinai.
Nine are the months to childbirth.
Eight are the day to circumcision.
Seven are the days of the week.
Six are the sections of the Mishnah.
Five are the books of the Torah.
Four are the matriarchs.
Three are the patriarchs.
Two are the tablets of the covenant.
One is our God in heaven and on earth.

to the tune of "Juice" by Lizzo

Pharaoh, pharaoh, in the halls
Don’t tell me you won’t free the jews (ooh baby)
My man moses got that beard
Don’t make him call a plague on you (ooh baby)

He was raised in Egypt land
But now he’s back with something new (ooh baby)
Gotta let my people go
Cuz the hebrews gotta fly the coop! (That’s how I roll)

Touch the water and the whole Nile turn to blood (Hebrew goals)
Darkness, boils and hail and even freaky bugs (now you know)
Frogs and lice and flies and Pestilence no good (so you know)
One more Plague from Moses and then, bitch you done!

CHORUS
It ain’t my fault that I’m out here asking Qs
Got my matzoh and grape juice Gotta pass over the Jews (yeah)
It ain’t my fault that god’s death angel is loose
Out here killing first-born dudes
Gotta pass over the Jews. Hineni

Hi-ne-ni
hi-ne-ni
Hi-ne- //-ni
Pass over the jews gotta pass over the jews hi ne ni Hi ne ni

Hi ne ni
Hi ne -
Pass over the jews gotta pass over the jews, yeah!

(by Jake Beckhard)