On all other nights we may eat bread or matzah, but on this night we eat only matzah?  

     When our ancestors left Egypt they didn't have time to let yeast make the dough rise so they baked bread without  yeast. We eat only matzah this night to remember their haste to escape bondage.

On all other nights we eat all kinds of herbs, but on this night we eat only bitter herbs?

     We eat bitter herbs to remind us that bondage is a source of bitterness that makes life harsh as it was with our forefathers.

On all other nights we do not dip even once, but on this night we dip twice?

     First we dip into the tears of sorrow from bondage with the greens of life to remind us of the hopes and joys of freedom. Then we dip into the bitter memory of service in bondage with the fruit of new life to remind us of the hope of rewarding service with purpose in the presence of God.

On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining, but on this night we recline?

     Our ancestors could not recline at the original Passover in Egypt but, through the grace and power of a loving God, they were then redeemed and delivered from bondage. We recline at ease to remind ourselves to relax and remember that freedom is established through loving kindness and the hand of God.


haggadah Section: -- Four Questions