ONE-MINUTE MAGGID

by Jonathan Freund

Reader:  Egypt's Pharaoh orders all newborn boys of Hebrew slaves killed and thrown into the Nile. One woman saves her baby by floating him down the river in a basket.  Pharaoh's daughter finds the child, names him Moses, and brings him up as her own.

Moses is aware of his true origins and one day he kills an Egyptian overseer who is beating a Hebrew slave and has to flee to Midian.

There he gets married and hears God speak to him from a flaming shrub. God tells Moses, return to Egypt and lead the Hebrew slaves to the Promised Land.  

Moses says, "Uh-uh, not me." God says, "Uh-Huh, you!"

Moses returns to Egypt and demands that Pharaoh let God's people go. Pharaoh refuses and God sends ten plagues to torment the Egyptians.  Before the tenth plague, the Hebrews put lamb's blood on their doors so the angel of death will "pass over" their homes.  Pharaoh finally lets the Hebrews go, but they don't have time to bake any bread before they head to the Sea of Reeds.

Pharaoh decides he wants his workforce back and goes after them with his army, so Moses parts the sea and the Hebrews cross safely to the other side. When the Egyptians follow, the sea closes up and drowns them, all except Pharaoh.

The Hebrews aka Israelites aka Jewish People sing a victory song and head off for more adventures at Mt. Sinai


haggadah Section: Maggid - Beginning