It is written that long ago, during a time of famine, the Israelites traveled to Egypt. They lived in peace for many years. But after a time, a new Pharaoh became the ruler of Egypt. This new Pharaoh turned the Israelites into slaves, and burdened them with heavy work and sorrow.

After the Israelites were in Egypt for over 400 years, a man named Moses arose among them. He demanded that Pharaoh let his people go! The story says that in response to the cruelties of the new Pharaoh, God sent ten plagues to the Egyptians. The Israelites marked the doors of their houses with lamb's blood and were “passed over”. After each plague, Moses asked the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free, but each time the Pharaoh said no. Finally, after the last and most terrible plague, the Pharaoh decided to let the Israelites leave.

Moses was relieved that Pharaoh finally said the Hebrew slaves were free to leave, but he was worried that Pharaoh would change his mind. He told the slaves to hurry and to follow him. They didn’t have time to bake bread to eat on their trip, so they put raw dough on their backs. It baked into hard crackers just like the matzah you see on the table.

When the people reached the desert on the other side of the sea, they started a new life. Miriam, Moses’ sister, led the a celebration of singing and dancing. Moses told the Israelites to tell their children and their grandchildren the story of how they became free. That is why we still celebrate Passover today.

At our Passover Seder, we remember this story of freedom from slavery that happened thousands of years ago. But let us also remember that the struggle for freedom continues today. We tell this story to remind ourselves that the human need for freedom and dignity is perpetual and universal.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story