As pesach reminds us, Jewish history is full of stories of persecution and liberation. It is a heritage of survival, resiliance, and resistance. But trauma cannot be healed quickly, even by finding meaning in stories of survival. After we were liberated from Egypt, we had to wander the desert for 40 years before reaching the promised land, so that a generation would pass and new foundations would be laid by people no longer carrying this trauma. In our modern, capitalist society, there is neither time nor the space to wander in the wilderness. ( How has this changed or not changed during the pandemic? ) The history that is unfolding around us today is one in which the traumas of the twentieth century, far from healed, are carried forward and inflicted on other vulnerable peoples. 

THE THIRD CUP: REDEMPTION FROM OVERWORK AND UNDERWORK ("I will redeem you")

As we lift the third cup, we envision a world where everyone has work and, without any discrimination, receives equal pay for equal work. We envision a world where everyone also can enjoy rest and leisure, and periodic holidays with pay (adapted from Articles 23 and 24 of the Declaration of Human Rights).

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.
We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.


haggadah Section: Bareich
Source: Rabbis for Human Rights/Jewdas/Juliana Morrison