Reader: A long, long time ago, Pharaoh became afraid of the Israelites in his land. He does not understand their different ways. He makes them slaves and orders them to drown their baby boys. But Pharoah’s daughter, Batya, does not agree. She rescues a baby boy (with the help of his sister, Miriam, and mother, Yocheved). Batya names him Moses, and raises him in Pharaoh’s court. Reader: When Moses grows up, he flees into the desert, becomes a shepherd, and marries a non-Israelite woman. One day, while Moses tends his flock, God appears to him and tells Moses to return to Egypt to free his people from slavery.

Reader:  Moses is afraid he will fail. He knows how hard it will be to convince Pharaoh since tyrants always believe they are more powerful than anything or anyone else. Pharaoh has to learn that he is not fighting Moses, but God, and a people whose belief in God and freedom is greater than their fear of Pharaoh.

Reader: When Moses grows up, he flees into the desert, becomes a shepherd, and marries a non-Israelite woman. One day, while Moses tends his flock, God appears to him and tells Moses to return to Egypt to free his people from slavery.

Reader: Moses is afraid he will fail. He knows how hard it will be to convince Pharaoh since tyrants always believe they are more powerful than anything or anyone else. Pharaoh has to learn that he is not fighting Moses, but God, and a people whose belief in God and freedom is greater than their fear of Pharaoh

ALL: Let my people go!

Reader: God commands Moses to go to Egypt to save the Israelites and sends his brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, to help. The Israelites have been slaves for more than four centuries. They will learn about God, as do the Egyptians, through the ten plagues. Let’s recite them together:


haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story