The four cups of wine are traditionally linked to the four promises God made to Jewish People:

As it is written: "I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egypt. I will deliver you from bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great judgements. I will take you to be my people and I will be your God" (Exodus 6: 6-7).

Tonight we dedicate our four cups of wine to the avenues through which we each find strength and freedom in our lives. This first cup of wine we dedicate to the power of self. The power of self love, self advocacy, self worth, self trust, and self love. Please take a moment to think about the ways in which you find strength within yourself.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

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

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

In Judaism we are obsessed with marking time. We mark time through holidays, rituals, prayers, and even types of food. One way we identify special times is through a prayer called shehecheyanu, which is recited every time we experience something new. The shehecheyanu is recited many times throughout the seder, from when we drink our first glass of wine to when we eat the first piece of matzah of the year. Let's join together now in recitation of the shehecheyanu in celebration of the first time our communities are joining together for an experience of this kind.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, she-hechiyanu v’key’manu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who has kept us alive, raised us up, and brought us to this happy moment.

Drink the first glass of wine!

Contributed partially by Maia Zway


haggadah Section: Kadesh