Elijah's Cup & Miriam's Cup

We now refill our wine glasses one last time and open the front door to invite the prophet Elijah to join our seder.

In the Bible, Elijah was a fierce defender of God to a disbelieving people. At the end of his life, rather than dying, he was whisked away to heaven. Tradition holds that he will return in advance of messianic days to herald a new era of peace, so we set a place for Elijah at many joyous, hopeful Jewish occasions, such as a baby’s bris and the Passover seder.

Miriam, daughter of Yocheved and sister of Moses and Aaron, played many parts in the story of Exodus. One midrash credits her for convincing her parents—exhausted and traumatized by slavery—to conceive Moses, a hero of the Jewish people. She was also brave enough to risk asking the daughter of Pharaoh himself if Yocheved could serve as a wet-nurse for the baby. Her bravery and charm thus enabled the family to stay together and earn wages. Miriam later led the women and children—the backbone of Jewish life—safely to shore across the Sea of Reeds, dancing and singing. The Torah teaches that she fought for her place as a prophet; she reminds us that caring for women, children, and families is a critical part of our connection to the holy. We honor her tenacity. 

While the return of Elijah is left to the future and all its potential, Miriam is present with us always. She is here to provide healing, inspiration, and wisdom. She and her waters sustain us as we await Elijah. There is still a long journey to freedom, a long while before Elijah can herald the messianic age. Miriam the prophet calls us to work for—not wait for—that day. She sustains us with the most basic substance on the earth—water that cleanses and heals. She lifts our hearts as she leads us once again in song and dance.

As we come to the end of the seder, we drink one more glass of wine. With this final cup, we give thanks for the experience of celebrating Passover together, for the traditions that help inform our daily lives and guide our actions and aspirations.

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

(We drink the fourth and final glass of wine!)


haggadah Section: Hallel