Pesach celebrates the Israelites' exodus from slavery in Egypt. We are commanded to teach the Pesach story to each generation to preserve our history, celebrate our freedom, mourn our persecution, and recall our responsibility to fight for those who face oppression and inequity in the world today.

May we also take the opportunity to honor our personal liberation. Throughout our lifetimes - including the past year - we persevered in the face of great adversity, triumphed over what once held us captive, and insisted on moving forward when other forces urged us to stay put.

The Seder is a chance for us to process our grief, sorrow, anxiety, joy, resilience, and hope as a people, in our communities, and as individuals. Let us reflect on where we started and where we are today. May our introspection motivate us to pursue freedom for all people as a light unto the nations.

May we never be lazy in the work of peace.

We traditionally light two candles before the start of the Shabbat or a Jewish holiday to mark the holiness of the occasion.

Light the candles.

Upon lighting the candles, we recite:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל [שַׁבָּת וְשֶׁל] יוֹם טוֹב

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha-olam, Asher Kid'shanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel (Shabbat v'shel) Yom Tov.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with the commandments and commands us to kindle the lights of (Shabbat and of) the festival day.

Candle lighting separates holidays from non-holidays and Shabbat from the rest of the week; it bridges the gap between the ordinary and the sacred. We think about the people, things, and events that lit our personal "candles" and helped us transition between each part of our lives.

Pour a glass of wine or grape juice.

Kiddush

Hold up the glass and recite the following:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ,
מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, borei p'ri hagafen.

Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Shecheyanu

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה.

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

The Shecheyanu is the perfect opportunity to reflect on all of the blessings - big and small - that brought us to this very Seder. We have experienced times of suffering and times of great joy. We have so much to mourn and so much to celebrate. Tonight, we celebrate being here and being present in this moment.

We prepare for the next portion of the Seder by washing our hands. At a sink, pour a cup of water once over each hand.

We may envision washing way the spiritual "dirt" of the past year, washing away any thoughts that keep us from being present in this moment, and/or cleansing and nourishing our hands which have done so much for us.

Dip parsley (or another vegetable) in salt water.

Parsley (or another vegetable) symbolizes the Jews' humble origins and the renewal of spring. We dip the parsley in salt water, symbolizing the tears our ancestors shed while enslaved.

Say the following blessing before eating the parsley:

Ha'adamah

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְ‑יָ אֱ‑לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech haolam, borei p'ri ha'adamah.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, Sovereign of all, who creates the fruit of the earth.