These bitter herbs that we eat, what is the reason for them? They remind us that the Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt, as it is written: "And they embittered their lives with hard labor: with mortar and bricks, and with all sorts of work in the fields. All of the work with which they worked them was oppressive." (Exodus 1:14)

In every generation, one is required to look upon oneself as though having personally been redeemed from Egypt, as it is written: "You shall tell your child on that day, 'This is done because of what Adonai did for me in redeeming me from Egypt." (Exodus 13:8)

"Tradition says that this bitter herb is to remind us of the time of our slavery. We force ourselves to taste pain so that we may more readily value pleasure. Scholars inform us that bitter herbs were eaten at spring festivals in ancient times. The sharpness of the taste awakened the senses and made the people feel at one with nature's revival. Thus, maror is the stimulus of life, reminding us that struggle is better than the complacent acceptance of injustice." -- Machar Congregation

Lift the wine glass, but do not drink.

Therefore, it is our duty to thank, praise, laud, glorify, extol, honor, bless, exalt, and show reverence to the One who performed all of these miracles for our ancestors and for us. God brought us from slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity, and from slavery to freedom. Therefore, let us sing a new song before God. Hallelujah!

Replace the wine glass. Pick up the maror and say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מָרוֹר

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al akhilat maror.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has sanctified us with commandments and commanded us regarding the eating of bitter herbs.

Eat the bitter herbs.


haggadah Section: Maror