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 celebrate Passover.
Today, we are here. Next year, in the land of Israel.
Today, we are slaves. Next year, we will be free.
Pour the second cup of wine.
Mah Nishtana - The Four Questions
What makes this night different from all other nights?
What's up with the matzah?
What's the deal with horseradish?
What's with the dipping of the herbs?
What's this whole slouching at the table business?
Answers
When we left Egypt, we were in a hurry. There was no time for making decent bread.
Life was bitter, like horseradish.
It's called symbolism.
Free people get to slouch.
Discussion
Each guest is encouraged to ask any question they may have about Passover, or about anything else.
Once more with Singing
Mah nishtanah ha-laylah hazeh mikol ha-leilot?
Sheb'chol ha-leilot anu och'lin chameitz umatzah. Ha-laylah hazeh kulo matzah.
Sheb'chol ha-leilot anu och'lin sh'ar y'rakot. Ha-laylah hazeh maror.
Sheb'chol ha-leilot ein anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat.Ha-laylah hazeh sh'tei f'amim.
Sheb’khol ha-leilot anu okhlim bein yoshvin uvein m’subin, halailah hazeh kulanu m’subin.
Traditional Digressions
A funny story
Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning.
The four kinds of children and how to deal with them:
Wise child—explain Passover.
Wicked child—browbeat in front of the relatives.
Simple child—explain Passover slowly.
Silent child—explain Passover loudly.
Discussion
Each guest should suggest another kind of child and how to deal with them.
The Story of Pesach
It's a long time ago. We're slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh is a nightmare. We cry out for help. God brings plagues upon the Egyptians. We escape, bake some matzah. God parts the Red Sea. We make it through; the Egyptians aren't so lucky. We wander 40 years in the desert, eat manna, get the Torah, wind up in Israel, get a new temple, enjoy several years without being persecuted again.
The Ten Plagues
Spill a little wine as each plague is named:
Dam, Blood
Tzfardeah, Frogs
Kinim, Lice
Arov, Beasts
Dever, Cattle Plague
Sh’hin, Boils
Barad, Hail
Arbeh, Locusts
Hoshekh, Darkness
Makat B’khorot, Slaying of the first born
Discussion
There is quite a bit of dispute over how many plagues were suffered by the Egyptians. Many scholars believe that 10 is a minimum, and that, in fact, the number of plagues suffered by our oppresors was much greater.
Each guest should suggest an additional plague that may have befallen the Egyptians.
Dayenu - Enough Already!
If He had brought us out from Egypt, and had not carried out judgments against them Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had carried out judgments against them, and not against their idols Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had destroyed their idols, and had not smitten their first-born Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had smitten their first-born, and had not given us their wealth Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had given us their wealth, and had not split the sea for us Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had split the sea for us, and had not taken us through it on dry land Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had taken us through the sea on dry land, and had not drowned our oppressors in it Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had drowned our oppressors in it, and had not supplied our needs in the desert for forty years Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had supplied our needs in the desert for forty years, and had not fed us the manna Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had fed us the manna, and had not given us the Shabbat Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had given us the Shabbat, and had not brought us before Mount Sinai Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had brought us before Mount Sinai, and had not given us the Torah Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had given us the Torah, and had not brought us into the land of Israel Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
If He had brought us into the land of Israel, and had not built for us the Beit Habechirah Dayenu, it would have sufficed us!
Once More With Singing!
Ilu hotzi hotzi-anu
hotzi-anu mimitzrayim,
hotzi-anu mimitzrayim Dayeinu
Had He brought us out of Egypt,
It would have been enough--Dayyenu
Ilu natan natan lanu
natan lanu et hashabat,
natan lanu et hashabat Dayeinu
Had He given us the Sabbath
It would have been enough--Dayyenu
Ilu natan natan lanu
natan lanu et hatorah
natan lanu et hatorah Dayeinu
Had He given us the Torah
It would have been enough--Dayyenu
Kiddush - May I Warm Your Cup?
Recite the Kiddush
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p'ri hagafen.
Praised are you, Adonai, Lord of the universe, who has created the fruit of the vine.