Leader:

[Pick up Elijah's cup for all to see.]

This is the cup of Elijah. Elijah has nothing to do with the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, but he is a central figure to many Seders.

Reader 3:

Elijah challenged the injustice of the powerful. He healed the sick and protected the weak. Legend has it that at the end of his days, Elijah was carried off to heaven in a fiery chariot.

Reader 4:

The prophet Elijah symbolizes the dreams of the Jewish people. Legend has it that Elijah returns to Earth to carry forward the work of bringing justice and peace.

Reader 5:

We welcome Elijah and his passion for justice to our lives. Legend has it that Elijah returns to Earth from time to time to befriend the helpless.

Reader 6:

Elijah could be anywhere – with a homeless family living on the street; in a nursing home; in a classroom for underserved children. He could be the person sitting beside you right now.

Leader:

To honor Elijah, we fill a glass with wine [fill Elijah’s glass with wine] and open the door, inviting him to join our Seder.

[Send a young person to open the door for Elijah.]

This glass is only for Elijah. We don’t share in this ceremonial glass of wine with Elijah, because our history is not yet complete. We still have a chance to write our future. In opening the door for Elijah, we open the door to peace, knowing that Elijah’s task is really our own. The task of saving the world must be taken up by us mere mortals, by common people with shared goals. We must work together for change – to bring justice and peace to all.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story