Pour your 4th cup of wine, and acknowledge Elijah and Miriam's cups on your table.  

Three thousand years ago, a farmer arose in the Middle East who challenged the ruling elite. In his passionate advocacy for common people, Elijah created a legend that would inspire generations to come. Elijah declared that he would return once each generation in the guise of someone poor or oppressed, coming to people's doors to see how he would be treated. Thus would he know whether or not humanity had become ready to participate in the dawn of the Messianic age. He is said to visit every seder, and sip there from his cup of wine. Elijah might appear at YOUR DOOR this evening as the Messiah and surely in that event we would want to invite him in. Please fill his cup in the event that he is thirsty, and open your door so that he does not have to contaminate his hands with your filthy doorknob.   

Miriam's Cup is placed on the table to honor the sister of Aaron and Moses, and a prophetess in her own right. Legend says that a well of water followed Miriam as the Jews wandered in the desert, and after the Red Sea was parted, she played the tambourine and led the women in song and dance of thanksgiving.  This song is only partially recorded in Exodus; midrash explains that the song is incomplete so future generations will finish it.


haggadah Section: Shulchan Oreich