For hundreds of years in Jewish tradition — even dating back to the Second Temple — some have held that there is a specific format by which the head of the household recounts the events of the Exodus, when the people of Israel left the land of Egypt. This format is called a seder in Hebrew. The word seder means “order.”
Though it may seem tedious to many (especially to someone who isn’t familiar with it and may find sitting at a table reading for extended periods difficult), the material — both in the readings and songs of the Hagadah — has a depth that grows deeper year after year as the Almighty reveals more. The word Hagadah literally means “recounting,” and it is the instructional and liturgical material read on the first night of Pésaj in Jewish homes. Year after year, the Eternal desires that we meditate on these things and teach them to our children.
In Summary
If all the content of the Hagadah were consolidated — all passages quoted from Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, all rabbinic anecdotes from the Second Temple era, and more — the conclusion would center on one idea: to go out of slavery into freedom.
“We have been slaves to Pharaoh.” We say it in the first person — because who among us has not been a slave to some force or person? From what do we need freedom today?
Human beings have such short memories that after being liberated, within a year we fall again into the same vices and harmful habits from which we were delivered. Can you remember the children of Israel after leaving Egypt? How long did it take before they stopped valuing the freedom that was given to them?
Sadly, that generation perished in the wilderness. Only two people understood the vision that Yehováh had given to Moses.
Do We Have What It Takes?
These things make me think… will I be one of those willing to face the challenge of the 40 years in the wilderness? Will I have the determination, patience, and perseverance to overcome every obstacle and continue moving forward? And even more so — how much greater is the responsibility for those of us who have an entire family (and sometimes many others) depending on us as guides and examples?
The road is not easy — and no one promised it would be. The way is narrow, and few find it. But at the end of it is freedom, eternal life, springs of living water, and everything that makes life worth living. Doesn’t that have price?
On the other side stands great Egypt with its wealth, knowledge, sophisticated culture, abundance of food, and comfort. Tempting, right? Why do you think the majority of Jews did not want to return from Babylon?
Unlike Babylon, Egypt was a place where the people clearly suffered abuse and oppression in slavery. And remember — all of this was foreseen, just as Yehováh told Abraham (then Abram):
Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land not their own, and will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
Genesis 15:13
It was such an impact that Yehovah wanted to create in the people of Israel that they had to go through slavery so they would value what freedom is — and who their Savior is.
But Israel did not mind being slaves forever. There was one specific moment in history where the people said, “Enough!”and that became a turning point:
Now it came about in the course of time that the king of Egypt died; and the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry rose up to God because of the bondage.
Exodus 2:23
Will He bring us a private jet to carry us to the Land of Israel in first class? Likely not. The journey ahead will still be long. We probably won’t reach where we are going in just one day — but there is no doubt it is worth it. This Pésaj, let’s claim our freedom and lift our cup for redemption.
Human beings have such short memories that even after we’ve been freed, within a year we fall again into the habits and vices from which we were delivered.