The fifth cup of wine––what has now become Elijah’s cup–– stands for the future redemption of the world. When we open the door for Elijah, we open the door to the possibilities of a brighter future. In the Jewish tradition, Elijah appears in our lives to offer us a glimpse into a messianic era, a time of universal peace and harmony. After a night of seeing ourselves “as if we were slaves in Egypt,” when we open door to Elijah, we should begin to see ourselves as builders of our future. When the Seder closes with the words “Next year in a Jerusalem rebuilt,” we wonder if next year, our world will be just a little more whole than it was this past year.

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming year?


haggadah Section: Nirtzah