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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Haroset
Maror
Beitzah (Egg)
Zroah (Pascal Lamb/Shankbone)
Karpas (Greens)
Melah (Salt Water)
This clip is great because it explains each food and has a picture explaining why we eat that food. This would be interesting to kids and give them a reason to be curious about the foods on the seder plate. It is colorful and interactive and imformative as well. It explains the story simply and in a way where both kids and adults could understand.
Four Cups Of Wine
Many people wonder why we drink four cups of wine on Passover. Well there are many reasons. First of all wine is a royal drink that symbolises freedom. So it seems appropriate to drink it on Passover because they became free. Also g-d convinced the Jews that they should leave Egypt using four statements, 1 I shall take you out, 2 I shall rescue you, 3 I shall redeem you, and 4 I shall bring you. That is part of the reason why we drink four cups on passover.
הִנְנִי מוּכָן וּמְזוּמָּן לְקַיֵּם מִצְוַת חג המצות לְשֵׁם יִחוּד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּשְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ.
Hin'ni muchan u-m'zuman l'kayem mitzvat chag hamatzah l'shem yichud kudsha brich hu u-schinteh.
May my commemoration of the festival of matzvah create healing, effecting a unification between the Holy Blessed One and Shekhinah, God far beyond & God deep within.
Adapted by Koach Frazier from a translation by Rabbi Rachel Barenblat
This clip shows the importance of wine as it relates to and symbolizes the freedom we gained as we escaped from Egypt. The clip mentions how wine is a symbol of royalty and how we are now able to indulge in that kind of lifestyle. The clip explains how using four statements, God saved the Jewish people. It has a short but informative explanation to why we do Kadesh.
Water is life.
For those who travel on foot through the borderlands, water is an essential component of the journey. No More Deaths hikes water into active migration corridors because we believe that everyone deserves access to water. It is a privilege to be able to use water for a ritual like urchatz, and as we purify our hands, we think of those who thirst in the desert.
We wash our hands now, with no blessing, to help us prepare for the rituals of the Seder to come.
Take the water, pour it over your hands three times, alternating between hands with each pour.
Pause and give thanks for ready access to clean, safe water, and share amongst your group what symbolism you see in spilling water tonight.
Written by Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler
This clip gives us background on why water is so important. It tells us that water was an essentail part of the journey out of Egypt. It tells us how to do the ceremony and the intsructions are simle and easy. Anyone wouold be able to understand it.
To those unfamiliar with the terrain, the desert can seem like a harsh and empty place. Indeed, the desert of the Passover story is devoid of sustenance and life. At this point in the Seder, it is tradition to reflect on liberation and rebirth as connected ideas. To symbolize rebirth, we take a vegetable, like parsley, and dip it into salt water, which represents the tears shed by our Jewish ancestors when they were enslaved. Mixing the sweet and the bitter remind us that in times of joy, it is important to remember where we came from. Similarly, as we embark on this Seder, with the promise of a nourishing meal ahead, we take a moment to reflect on those going without food as they seek a better life. Though the Jewish people may have left Egypt, many people around the world are still waiting to be freed.
We recite this short blessing, then dip our parsley.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-adama.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruits of the earth.
Written by Justine Orlovsky-Schnitzler
This is a useful clip because not only does it mention why we dip karpas into salt water, it also has the prayer that is said while we do. This clip connects the Jews' escape from Egypt to those who still seek freedom now. It mentions that the journey the Jews went on is similar to the seder. The clip also says we should keep in our minds those who are less fortunate and are still waiting to begin their journey.
When we break the Matzah in half, we are symbolizing the split of the red sea. When we break the Matzah, we symbolize the hope that we can eat. When the red sea split, it symbolized the permission; yes you may pass, after hearing the word NO NO NO. During the Seder we get bored and we ask “When can we eat” and until this breaking of the Matzah, we get told NO NO NO. It is hope that there is food, and that we have permission to eat it.
This clip talks about how the Jews were finally freed and the matzah is a symbol of that freedom. After so many "no's" we finally got a "yes" and are free. The clip is simple but provides a fun explanation as to why we break the matzah. It also goes back to the sea parting in the reaosning. Children would be able to understand what the clip is saying.
Pour the second glass of wine for everyone.
The Haggadah doesn’t tell the story of Passover in a linear fashion. We don’t hear of Moses being found by the daughter of Pharaoh – actually, we don’t hear much of Moses at all. Instead, we get an impressionistic collection of songs, images, and stories of both the Exodus from Egypt and from Passover celebrations through the centuries. Some say that minimizing the role of Moses keeps us focused on the miracles God performed for us. Others insist that we keep the focus on the role that every member of the community has in bringing about positive change.
Maggid – Beginning
מגיד
Raise the tray with the matzot and say:
הָא לַחְמָא עַנְיָא דִי אֲכָלוּ אַבְהָתָנָא בְּאַרְעָא דְמִצְרָיִם. כָּל דִכְפִין יֵיתֵי וְיֵיכֹל, כָּל דִצְרִיךְ יֵיתֵי וְיִפְסַח. הָשַׁתָּא הָכָא, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּאַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. הָשַׁתָּא עַבְדֵי, לְשָׁנָה הַבָּאָה בְּנֵי חוֹרִין.
Ha lachma anya dee achalu avhatana b'ara d'meetzrayeem. Kol deechfeen yeitei v'yeichol, kol deetzreech yeitei v'yeefsach. Hashata hacha, l'shanah haba-ah b'ara d'yisra-el. Hashata avdei, l'shanah haba-ah b'nei choreen.
This is the bread of affliction, which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are in need, come and share the Pesach meal. This year, we are here. Next year, in the land of Israel. This year, we are slaves. Next year, we will be free.
Refill the wine cups, but don’t drink yet.
This clip is good because it explains how the story of Passover is told. It mentions the incedible miracles presented by G-d. The other clip has the prayer said in hebrew, english, and in english transliteration. It is short and to the point making it easy to understand.
The formal telling of the story of Passover is framed as a discussion with lots of questions and answers. The tradition that the youngest person asks the questions reflects the centrality of involving everyone in the seder. The rabbis who created the set format for the seder gave us the Four Questions to help break the ice in case no one had their own questions. Asking questions is a core tradition in Jewish life. If everyone at your seder is around the same age, perhaps the person with the least seder experience can ask them – or everyone can sing them all together.
מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילות
Ma nishtana halaila hazeh mikol haleilot?
Why is this night different from all other nights?
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכלין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלּוֹ מצה
Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin chameitz u-matzah. Halaila hazeh kulo matzah.
On all other nights we eat both leavened bread and matzah.
Tonight we only eat matzah.
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר
Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin shi’ar yirakot haleila hazeh maror.
On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables,
but tonight we eat bitter herbs.
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָֽנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּֽעַם אחָת הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעמים
Shebichol haleilot ain anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat. Halaila hazeh shtei fi-amim.
On all other nights we aren’t expected to dip our vegetables one time.
Tonight we do it twice.
שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין. :הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּֽנוּ מְסֻבין
Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin. Halaila hazeh kulanu m’subin.
On all other nights we eat either sitting normally or reclining.
Tonight we recline.
This clip mentions some traditions, like the youngest at the seder asking the questions. It even makes a suggestion for what to do if everyone is around the same age. It says how asking and answering questions is an importnat part of Judaism. The clip also has the four questions adked in hebrew, english, and in english transliteration.
As we tell the story, we think about it from all angles. Our tradition speaks of four different types of children who might react differently to the Passover seder. It is our job to make our story accessible to all the members of our community, so we think about how we might best reach each type of child:
What does the wise child say?
The wise child asks, What are the testimonies and laws which God commanded you?
You must teach this child the rules of observing the holiday of Passover.
What does the wicked child say?
The wicked child asks, What does this service mean to you?
To you and not to himself! Because he takes himself out of the community and misses the point, set this child’s teeth on edge and say to him: “It is because of what God did for me in taking me out of Egypt.” Me, not him. Had that child been there, he would have been left behind.
What does the simple child say?
The simple child asks, What is this?
To this child, answer plainly: “With a strong hand God took us out of Egypt, where we were slaves.”
What about the child who doesn’t know how to ask a question?
Help this child ask.
Start telling the story:
“It is because of what God did for me in taking me out of Egypt.”
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Do you see yourself in any of these children? At times we all approach different situations like each of these children. How do we relate to each of them?
This clip explains how we try to be inclusive to all types of people, wise, wicked, simple, and those who don't know how to ask a question. The clip shows what the questions are and what should be the response to them. It mentions how at times we are all of these children. This clip shows the importance of including every type of child.
Our story starts in ancient times, with Abraham, the first person to have the idea that maybe all those little statues his contemporaries worshiped as gods were just statues. The idea of one God, invisible and all-powerful, inspired him to leave his family and begin a new people in Canaan, the land that would one day bear his grandson Jacob’s adopted name, Israel.
God had made a promise to Abraham that his family would become a great nation, but this promise came with a frightening vision of the troubles along the way: “Your descendants will dwell for a time in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and afflicted for four hundred years; however, I will punish the nation that enslaved them, and afterwards they shall leave with great wealth."
Raise the glass of wine and say:
וְהִיא שֶׁעָמְדָה לַאֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְלָֽנוּ
V’hi she-amda l’avoteinu v’lanu.
This promise has sustained our ancestors and us.
For not only one enemy has risen against us to annihilate us, but in every generation there are those who rise against us. But God saves us from those who seek to harm us.
The glass of wine is put down.
In the years our ancestors lived in Egypt, our numbers grew, and soon the family of Jacob became the People of Israel. Pharaoh and the leaders of Egypt grew alarmed by this great nation growing within their borders, so they enslaved us. We were forced to perform hard labor, perhaps even building pyramids. The Egyptians feared that even as slaves, the Israelites might grow strong and rebel. So Pharaoh decreed that Israelite baby boys should be drowned, to prevent the Israelites from overthrowing those who had enslaved them.
But God heard the cries of the Israelites. And God brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with great awe, miraculous signs and wonders. God brought us out not by angel or messenger, but through God’s own intervention.
This clip is helpful because it breifly expains the story of the exodus, as well as some background. The clip tell us in hebrew, english, and in an english transliteration what is said when holding the glass of wine. The story is a fun way to engage children. The clip is understandable to young kids.
This is a great clip because it shows the ten pluges in order. It is colorful and would peak the interest of any child. It also has the names of the plagues in hebrew. It is simple but colorful and informative.
The plagues and our subsequent redemption from Egypt are but one example of the care God has shown for us in our history. Had God but done any one of these kindnesses, it would have been enough – dayeinu.
אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָֽנוּ מִמִּצְרַֽיִם, דַּיֵּנוּ
Ilu hotzi- hotzianu, Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim, Dayeinu
If God had only taken us out of Egypt, that would have been enough!
אִלּוּ נָתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה, דַּיֵּנוּ
Ilu natan natan lanu, natan lanu et ha-Torah, Natan lanu et ha-Torah , Dayeinu
If God had only given us the Torah, that would have been enough.
The complete lyrics to Dayeinu tell the entire story of the Exodus from Egypt as a series of miracles God performed for us. (See the Additional Readings if you want to read or sing them all.)
Dayeinu also reminds us that each of our lives is the cumulative result of many blessings, small and large.
This clip shows the hebrew, english, and english transliteration of Dayenu. It reminds us to be greatful and that our lives are filled with blessings. It is simple and straight to the point. It is easy to follow
--Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kidshanu bemitvotav vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָיִּם.
Blessed are You ETERNAL our God, Master of time and space, who has sanctified us with commandments and instructed us regarding lifting up our hands.
This clip shows the prayer, in english transliteration, english, and hebrew, said during Rachtzah. The clip says why we wash our hands again. It has a deeper explanation for the importance of re-washing our hands.
Hamotzi thanks God for bringing bread from the earth. This bread results from a partnership between God and humanity: God provides the raw materials and people harvest, grind, and bake. So too must we remember that combating human trafficking requires partnerships: among survivors, allies, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement, diplomats, people of faith…the circles of involvement are ever-expanding.
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.
Blessed are You ETERNAL our God, Master of time and space, who brings forth bread from the earth.
This clip has the prayer said in hebrew, english, and english tranlisteration. It exlains why we say the Motzi. THis clip even mentions the covenant between G-d and the Jews. The clip relates the Motzi to modern issues, which adds an interesting perspective.
This clip includes the hebrew, english, and english transliteration versions of the prayer said during Maror. The clip mentions the history of the Jews' bitter lives when they were enslaved. It also connects the story of Passover to modern day issues which could make for some interesting conversation at the seder table. It even gives advice on how to fight against similar oppressions to what the Jews faced in Egypt.
Plans cancelled, flights grounded, businesses closed, stock portfolios plummeting, people suffering. We all have reason to feel a little bitter these days. During Passover, we eat bitter herbs like horseradish to remind ourselves of the hardships of slavery. But we do not allow the bitterness to consume us entirely. After that sting, we mix a little sweetness from the charoset into the maror. We pause and bless the moment of confronting our difficulties, grateful that they too shall pass.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.
This clip talks about how we cannot let bitterness take over us. It says the combination of the sweet and bitter symbolize how weneed to move on from the things that make us bitter. The clip is short but gives a great insight to what the Koreich represents. It also has the english transliteration of the Koreich prayer.
It was the custom of ancient royalty to recline on the left for two reasons:
a) Food is normally held in the right hand. Leaning toward the left leaves the right hand free.
b) Leaning on the right is a choking hazard. It can prevent the epiglottis from covering the trachea, allowing food to enter and stop the flow of oxygen.
So as we sit here in the Hebrew year of 5775 in Eretz Hakodesh as a free nation,we act in the same manner as that of Kings. We are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to dwell and rejoice in the holy land, a dream many Jewish Kings were unable to fulfil. Make the most of it you Melachim!!
This clip mentions some traditions for the meal. It mentions the exodus and the story of Jews leaving Egypt to be the most important part of Jewish history. The clip says we are now free and we should celebrate our freedom. We should be greatful we are free and able to rejoice in the holy land.
GREEK FOR DESSERT
Enjoy something sweet. Then, after you’ve eaten all you can eat, eat a small piece of the Afikoman (remember when we created it earlier?) – it’s traditionally the last thing we eat at a Seder, and a cash prize is given to the finder of the Afikoman.* This year, discuss among your FriendsederTM guests how much prize money you would give to the Afikoman- finder and choose a charity to donate the prize money to!
*A prize is a slick reframe for ‘ransom money.’ Because the seder can’t be completed until the Afikoman is returned to its partner-matzah, Afikoman-finders have the leverage to charge the Seder leader for a bigger allowance to get it back!**
**Though in family settings, seder-leaders usually have extra leverage to dictate bedtimes – so watch out you Afikoman- finders!
This clip explains how the tradition of looking for the afikoman goes about. It says how eating the afikoman should be the last thing you eat at the seder. The clip gives a brief and simple explanation of the Tzafun tradition. Anyone would be ablle to understand how finding the afiloman works from reading this clip.
BAREKH - The Blessing After the Meal
Traditionally, a series of prayers and blessings after eating are now recited in Hebrew.
Together we say:
We have eaten this Passover meal as a free people and we give thanks to God for his many blessings. Preserve us in life, sustain us with good and honorable work and make us worthy. Bless this home, this table, and all assembled here; may all our loved ones share our blessings.
This clip contains the english version of the blessing said. It says when the blessing is said and how it is said. the clip is quick and provieds the information needed to do the blessing. Anyone would be able to understand it.
Singing songs that praise God | hallel | הַלֵּל
This is the time set aside for singing. Some of us might sing traditional prayers from the Book of Psalms. Others take this moment for favorites like Chad Gadya & Who Knows One, which you can find in the appendix. To celebrate the theme of freedom, we might sing songs from the civil rights movement. Or perhaps your crazy Uncle Frank has some parody lyrics about Passover to the tunes from a musical. We’re at least three glasses of wine into the night, so just roll with it.
Fourth Glass of Wine
As we come to the end of the seder, we drink one more glass of wine. With this final cup, we give thanks for the experience of celebrating Passover together, for the traditions that help inform our daily lives and guide our actions and aspirations.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the fourth and final glass of wine!
This clip mentions some traditions for Hallel, like singing prayers relating to freedom. It says that at this time we drink the fourth cup of wine. The clip has the hebrew english, and english transliteration of the prayer said for the fourth cup of wine. It talks about giving our thanks and appreciation for being able to celebrate passover.
We will celebrate again, next year, in the promised land!
This clip mentions how this Passover tradition has been happening for generations. It says how we should be greatful and says we should think about those who came before us and those coming after us. It says "next year in the promised land", which is what Nirtzah is about. the clip is short but insightful.
Traditionally, the Seder is concluded with the prayer for "next year in Jerusalem." Let us conclude our Seder this year with the prayer that next year will bring us closer to liberation for all including:
Peace within ourselves and our comunity
Safe harbor for refugees and immigrants
Respect for the aspiration and humanity of women and girls
The promise of dignity and human rights for every human regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental abilitity
THis clip is a wonderful way to end because it wishes for a year wuth many good things for many different people. It mentions "next year in Jerusalem", like it did in Nirtzah. The clip also wishes to being us closer to freedom as a people. This clip is also great because it mentions happy wishes for modern issues again, which always add to the conversation.
1. What do you consider your “promised land,” or heaven on earth?
2. In Hebrew, the word for Egypt is “Mitzraim,” which literally means “narrow place.” What is one way that you wish for our society to be more open?
3. Moses is considered one of the greatest leaders in our history — he is described as being smart, courageous, selfless and kind. Which of today’s leaders inspires you in a similar way?
4. Miriam was a prophetess and the sister of Moses who, after crossing the Red Sea, led the women in song and dance with tambourines. She is described as being courageous, confident, insightful and nurturing. Which musician or artist today inspires you in a similar way?
5. More recent and ongoing struggles for freedom include civil rights, GLBTQ equality, and women’s rights. Who is someone involved in this work that you admire?
6. Is there someone — or multiple people — in your family’s history who made their own journey to freedom?
7. Freedom is a central theme of Passover. When in your life have you felt most free?
8. If you could write an 11th commandment, what would it be?
9. What’s the longest journey you have ever taken?
10. How many non-food uses for matzah can you think of? Discuss!
11. Let’s say you are an Israelite packing for 40 years in the desert. What three modern items would you want to bring?
12. The Haggadah says that in every generation of Jewish history enemies have tried to eliminate us. What are the biggest threats you see to Judaism today?
13. The Passover seder format encourages us to ask as many questions as we can. What questions has Judaism encouraged you to ask?
14. Israel is central to the Passover seder. Do you think modern Israel is central to Jewish life? Why or why not?
15. The manna in the desert had a taste that matched the desire of each individual who ate it. For you, what would that taste be? Why?
16. Let’s say you had to swim across the Red Sea, and it could be made of anything except water. What would you want it to be?
17. If the prophet Elijah walked through the door and sat down at your table, what’s the first thing you would ask him?
18. Afikoman means “dessert” in Greek. If you could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be?
19. What is something you wish to cleanse yourself of this year? A bad habit? An obsession or addiction?
20. The word “seder” means “order.” How do you maintain order in your life?
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Download the PDF here: https://www.jewishboston.com/20-table-topics-for-your-passover-seder/
These topics are fun for keeping the conversation flowing. It would also be fun for the younger kids and would keep them entertained. The questions could make you think or just make you express you favorite desert. The topics would be great for anyone who doesn't really know what else to talk about.
Master of the Jews to the tune of “Master of the House” from Les Miserables
(sung by the Hebrews)
Master of the Jews, giving us a push.
Sure that God is hiding in a burning bush.
Here another frog, there a little lice.
Thinking Pharaoh’s gonna follow his advice.
If we do as Moses tells us, all of us will surely lose.
Heading to disaster following the Master of the Jews.
Water from a stone, manna from the sky.
Everything he promises is just a lie.
We will all be lost. It will be a mess
Wandering the desert without G.P.S.
Can’t you see the front page headlines? We’ll be on the late night news.
Meeting with disaster following the Master of the Jews.
(sung by the Pharaoh’s daughter)
I used to dream that I would raise a prince,
But gods almighty, have you seen what happened since?
Master of the Jews — just a rotten kid!
Can’t he see we need another pyramid?
Foolish little man, doesn’t Moses know
Pharaoh’s never gonna let the Hebrews go.
What a cruel trick of nature! This is not the son I’d choose.
Once a Hebrew bastard, now he is the Master of the Jews.
(sung by the Hebrews)
Master of the Jews — isn’t that a laugh?
We’d be better worshiping a golden calf.
Telling us to pack, telling us to flee,
Promising that God will end our slavery.
Holding out the hope of freedom, saying that it’s ours to choose.
Heading to disaster quick — Hey, don’t the Pharaoh’s cows look sick? –
Heading to disaster following the Master of the Jews.
This is a fun and interesting song because it basically tell most of the sotry of passover. Songs are fun ways to engage younger kids and this song would be great for children. It will tell the kids the story while entertaining them. It will be fun enough that they stay interested.
