Joseph, Abraham's descendent, and his family lived in Egypt. Joseph helped to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and our ancestors were treated well in Egypt.

In the years our ancestors lived in Egypt, our numbers grew, and soon the family of Jacob became the People of Israel. Pharaoh and the leaders of Egypt grew alarmed by this great nation growing within their borders, so they enslaved us. We were forced to perform hard labor, perhaps even building pyramids. The Egyptians feared that even as slaves, the Israelites might grow strong and rebel. So Pharaoh decreed that Israelite baby boys should be drowned, to prevent the Israelites from overthrowing those who had enslaved them.

Moses's mother heard of Pharaoh's decree and placed her newborn baby in a basket in the Nile River to try to save his life. He was discovered by Pharaoh's daughter, who raised Moses as part of the royal family. Once Moses grew up, he witnessed an Egyptian striking one of the enslaved Israelites. Moses killed the Egyptian and as a result Pharaoh cast him out of Egypt to the desert where Moses lived as a shepherd.

One day, while tending his sheep, Moses encountered a bush that was burning but not being consumed by the fire. God told Moses he was aware of the suffering of the Israelites in Egypt and God heard the cries of the Israelites. God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to free the Israelites, and God would send 10 Plagues to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Pharaoh agreed to free the Israelites after the final plague and the Israelites fled Egypt through the parted Red Sea. The Israelites were free.

God brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with great awe, miraculous signs and wonders. God brought us out not by angel or messenger, but through God’s own intervention.


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story