It is not enough simply to remember, or even to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Rather, the Haggadah demands, “in each generation, each person is obligated to see himself or herself [lir’ot et atzmo] as though he or she personally came forth from Egypt.”

The text of the Haggadah used in many Sephardic communities demands even more. ere, the text asks us “l’har’ot et atzmo” – to show oneself as having come forth from Egypt. The difference of a single Hebrew letter changes the obligation from one of memory to one of action.

Showing ourselves as having come out of slavery demands that we act in such a way as to show that we understand both the oppression of slavery and the joy and dignity of liberation. Our own retelling of the narrative of slavery pushes us toward taking public action to end slavery in our time.

- Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Executive Director, T’ruah


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story
Source: T'ruah