Haggadah: A Christian Interpretation of a Jewish Tradition
Smashwords Edition
Published by L. Thompson at Smashwords
© June 1, 2011
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For thousands and thousands of years our Jewish brothers and sisters have celebrated Passover. This holiday commemorates their Exodus from slavery. These miraculous events changed misery to peace, slavery to freedom, sin to grace. One of the last things Jesus did with his disciples was to celebrate Passover and retell the story to them. It's no coincidence Jesus chose the Passover meal for what the Church now celebrates as the Mass and Eucharist. God gave us the Passover celebration as a foreshadowing of the redemption Jesus would bring. He used the same celebration to teach us even more about His love. God cared for His people, our ancestors, long ago and He cares for His children today. Haggadah means, “telling.” This will be a parallel telling of the traditional Seder as conducted by our Jewish brothers and sisters since the days of Moses as well as the significance and fulfillment of these signs and wonders in the Messiah, Jesus. Traditionally the leader of the Passover meal is the oldest male in the household. Some parts are lead be the oldest female such as the lighting of the candles and the serving of the meal. The four questions are asked by the youngest male. I composed this resource for use in the middle school classroom to explain the origin of our Catholic liturgy and give children a sense of the connective continuity between Judaism and Christianity--to illustrate how we will be able to see, hear, and taste the great love God has for us!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sanctification
Arrangement of the Table
The Seder Begins
Kindling the Lights
The First Cup (Sanctification) 
First Washing of the Hands
Dipping of Karpas
Breaking of Matzah
The Narration
The Four Questions
The Second Cup (Deliverance)
The Ten Plagues
Second Washing of our Hands
Blessing over the Matzah
Courses of the Meal
Maror
Matzah and Maror
The Meal
Finding the Afikomen
BAREICH, Thanks for Divine Sustenance
Third Cup (Redemption)
Elijah’s Cup
The Hallel
The Fourth Cup (Acceptance)
Postlude
Homework
Sources
Sanctification
LEADER 1 - Before we gathered for this Great Feast, the surroundings were cleansed of all leaven. In many houses drawers, cabinets, and cupboards are searched with a lamp and swept with a feather! Any leaven found is then ceremonially burnt. Jesus used the leaven as a metaphor for sin (Matthew 16:5 – 12).
The Arrangement of the Seder Table
LEADER 2 - Getting ready for such an important day is a big deal. The Gospels relate how Jesus sent His followers to prepare the room, including the table and the Seder Plate (Matthew 26:17 – 19, Mark 14:12 – 16, Luke 22:7 – 13).
The Seder Begins
LEADER 1- Let us celebrate the Passover. We are gathered here tonight to share in the story of the redemption of Israel out of Egypt, in fulfillment of God's instruction: "And you shall tell your children on that day, saying: It is because of what God did for me when I came out of Egypt." (A Leader should point to or hold up the item being mentioned.)  
LEADER 2- This matzah recalls the haste in which our ancestors fled.  This egg represents the festival offering brought to the Temple in ancient times. This roasted bone reminds us of the Passover Lamb sacrificed so that the Angel of Death would PESACH; pass over, the Children of Israel. This maror, this bitter herb, shows us the bitterness of slavery. This haroset, a mixture of fruit, nuts, and honey, puts into our mouths the sweetness of freedom. This green vegetable reminds us that Passover is a spring festival, the beginning of the grain harvest, when we make new bread and start our lives again in hope.
LEADER 1- Four times during this service we drink "the fruit of the vine" -- wine or grape juice. These cups remind us of the four promises God made to us: I will bring you out, and I will deliver you, and I will redeem you, and I will take you. These are the symbols of the Passover -- echoes of the past and promises of the future. As we partake, let us not forget; and let us embody their spirit in our lives.
Kindling of the Lights
LEADER 2- Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Creator of the Universe who has sanctified us by Your commandments, and enjoined us to kindle the Festival lights.
LEADER 1 - The kindling of lights occurred at every high feast day as well as every Sabbath. The highest-ranking woman in the group would have done the blessing and lighting. Who do you suppose lit the candles at Jesus’ last Passover?
The First Cup – Kiddush (Cup of Sanctification)
LEADER 2 - A cup of wine is distributed, the first of four cups shared during the meal. Before a drink was taken, Jesus gave thanks.
LEADER 1 - Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the Eternal One, and I will lead you out from under the Egyptian yoke.
First Washing of the Hands
LEADER 2 - After the initial cup was emptied, there is a ceremonial washing of the hands to symbolize the need for moral and spiritual cleansing. It seems that at that time “a dispute arose among them {the apostles} (Luke 22:24). It is significant to mention that most times Jews washed their hands before eating and they recited a memorized blessing… but during the Seder, the hands were washed in silence…
LEADER 1 - We can sense the stunned silence of the disciples, as Jesus rose from the table, tied a towel around his waist, picked up a basin of water and approached Peter… (John 13:4).
Dipping the Karpas
LEADER 2 - The next step in the Seder is to eat bitter herbs (karpas). The Jews do this to remember the bitterness of slavery. The apostles must have immediately related with this bitterness… Jesus’ humility and self-abasing act was totally opposite of their own self-importance. Yet God still loves us!
LEADER 1 - Blessed are You, O Lord our God, Creator of the fruit of the earth. (the karpas are eaten)
Breaking of the Matzah
LEADER 2 - The leader takes out the middle matzah and breaks it in two. The larger piece, known as the Afikomen (Ah-fee-ko-men), will be hidden; the smaller piece is replaced between the two whole matzah, which are raised while the following is recited.
The Narration
LEADER 1 - This is the bread of affliction, the poor bread our ancestors ate as slaves in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are needy share the hope of this Passover celebration. This year we are here. Next year may we be in the land of Israel. This year we are all still in bonds. Next year may all be free. 
The Four Questions
YOUNGEST PERSON AT TABLE - How different this night is from all other nights? On other nights we eat leavened and unleavened bread: why tonight only unleavened? On other nights we eat all kinds of herbs: why tonight bitter herbs? On other nights we do not dip herbs even once: why tonight twice? On other nights we eat sitting or reclining,: why do we only recline tonight?
(The second cup of wine is filled during the four questions)
LEADER 2 – It is a special duty and privilege to the one to answer these questions and to tell all the good things God has done. We do what we do here because God has fulfilled his promise to us. Promises of freedom and of new life. Questioning is a sign of freedom – the freedom to explore and to choose. In asking questions, each person finds individual meaning in the ritual … and an individual opportunity to say, yes!
The Second Cup - the Cup of Deliverance
LEADER 1 - At this point in the Seder, there is a rather detailed narrative in which the Jews reflect on their time in Egypt the actions of God that set them free. After all, Passover reminds us of God’s mercy and wisdom and of our own free will and deliverance. It is a good time to pause and reflect on these gifts… and ask forgiveness for times we have taken them for granted. (silent reflection)
Ten Plagues
LEADER 2 - God sent ten plagues upon Egypt. We do not rejoice in their suffering… instead we diminish our joy by spilling wine from our cups as we recite each plague. At the same time we reflect on the behaviors or habits that still plague us… these drops of wine symbolize? Dipping one fingertip into the wine, we drop one drop to mark each of the following plagues—Blood, Frogs, Lice, Swarms, Blight, Boils, Hail, Locusts, Darkness, Death of the First-Born.
LEADER 1 - We raise our cups as we recall the second promise of liberation to the people of Israel: (The participants lift up their cups of wine.)"I will deliver you from bondage..." We praise You, You God our God, Sovereign of all life, who has delivered us and brought us here this night to eat matzah and maror. God, our God and God of our ancestors, help us celebrate future holidays and festivals in peace and in joy. Then we will thank You with a new song. (All drink the second cup of wine.)
The Second Washing of Our Hands
LEADER 2 - Before we eat let us wash our hands and say together: We praise you, God, majestic sovereign of all life, Who hallows our lives with commandments and bids us wash our hands. (The participants wash their hands.)
Blessing the Matzah
LEADER 1 - We are now coming to the Seder meal. As we ordinarily begin with the breaking of bread, we begin tonight with the breaking of matzah. We recite two blessings; first is the regular blessing for bread, then a special one for matzah. (The upper and middle piece of the three matzot are broken and distributed among the group.) We praise You, Our God, Sovereign of Life, Who brings forth bread from the earth. 
A Special Blessing for Matzah
LEADER 2 - We praise You, Our God, Sovereign of Life, Who hallows our lives through commandments, and commands us to eat matzah. (Eat your portion of the matzah)
Courses for the Meal
LEADER 1 – Now I will describe the courses in a tradition Passover meal. Pesach – the Passover lamb. The lamb that was sacrificed for its blood is consumed. It is a sign of agreement between God and us to share the sacrifice this way (Leviticus 17:11). Matzah – this is the bread of poverty, yet it sustains us… the bread of affliction, yet it sets us free. Maror – the bitter herbs remind us of slavery to sin.
MAROR, A Blessing for the Bitter Herbs
LEADER 2 - Now each of us will take a bit of the maror, the bitter herb, and dip it into the haroset to fulfill the commandment of this night to eat the maror. Thus, we dip our food the second time. (Haroset is a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine, and spices)
LEADER 1 - We praise You, Lord, Sovereign of Life, Who hallows our lives through commandments, and commands us to eat maror. (Eat the maror.)
Matzah and Maror
LEADER 2 - Tradition adds one more custom, in honor of the great teacher, Hillel, head of the rabbinic academy in Jerusalem around the time of the birth of Jesus. On Passover, Hillel combined the pesach, matzah and maror and ate them together, so he might observe the Law handed down to him, exactly as his ancestors before him: "They shall eat the Pesach lamb offering with matzah and maror together." The destruction of the Temple by the Romans brought an end forever to animal sacrifices by our people, so our sandwich today is made only with matzah and maror. The bitterness of sin is only overcome by the sacrifice and mercy of Christ. So we combine these and accept them. It was during this part of the meal… mixing bitterness with sweetness… that Jesus announced that a friend would betray him (see Matthew 26: 20 – 25). After that event Judas left the table. Together they shall be: the matzah of freedom, the maror of slavery. For in the time of freedom, there is knowledge of servitude. And in the time of bondage, there is hope of redemption. (eat the maror sandwiched between two pieces of matzah.)
The Meal
(at this point a full meal may be served)
The Afikoman is Found and Eaten
LEADER 1 - Toward the end of the meal, the children look for the afikoman, which the leader has hidden. Since neither the meal nor the Seder can be concluded before some of the group has eaten a piece of it, whoever finds the afikoman may demand a reward. Nothing is eaten after the afikoman, so that the matzah may be the last food tasted.In temple times the Passover sacrifice was eaten at the end of the meal, when everyone was almost satiated. In remembrance of this, we partake of the afikoman as the very last food to be eaten at our seder. 
LEADER 2 - A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew Read Matthew 26: 26 – 30 (See also John 20:11 – 18) [At the conclusion of the gospel reading, we set aside all other food and eat the afikoman.]
BAREICH, Thanks for Divine Sustenance
(The third cup is filled.)
LEADER 1 - We have eaten our Passover meal as free people. Let us give thanks to the source of all life and freedom. Let us say grace. May God be blessed from now unto eternity. 
LEADER 2 - Let us praise the Eternal of Whose bounty we have partaken. Let us praise the Eternal of Whose bounty we have partaken and by Whose goodness we live. 
LEADER 1 - On this Festival of Matzot, inspire us to goodness. On this Festival of Freedom, make us a blessing. On this Festival of Pesach, preserve us in life. All Merciful, rule over us forever. 
LEADER 2 - Sustain us with honorable work. Make us worthy of the Messianic promise of a world that is yet to come.  May the One who blessed Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, May the One who blessed Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah, bless this home, this table, and all assembled here; and may all our loved ones share our blessing. 
LEADER 1 - May the One who brings harmony into the spheres on high bring peace to earth for all humanity. May God give strength to our people, May God bless all people with peace. 
The Third Cup - the Cup of Redemption
LEADER 2 - Together we take up the third cup of wine, now recalling the third divine promise to the people of Israel: "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through mighty acts of judgment." 
LEADER 1- Blessed are you, O Lord our God, Creator of the Universe who brings forth the fruit of the vine. This is the cup of redemption… promised by God. This is the cup Jesus raised as a sign of covenant… an agreement completed (Matthew 26:27 – 28). The fruit of the vine mentioned in the blessing that’s us! Guess who the vine is?
The Cup of Elijah
LEADER 2- This cup of wine is called the cup of Elijah--a cup from which we cannot drink, until the entire world is redeemed from pain, injustice, and denial of love. Jesus said he would not drink of this cup until he drank it with us in the Kingdom of Our Father. May the All Merciful send us Elijah the Prophet to comfort us with tidings of deliverance. 
LEADER 1 - Before he died, Elijah declared that he would return once each generation in the guise of any poor or oppressed person, coming to people's doors to see how he would be treated. By the treatment offered this poor person, who would be Elijah himself, he would know whether the population had reached a level of humanity making them capable of participating in the dawn of the Messianic age. Elijah opens up for us the realm of mystery and wonder. Let us now open the door for Elijah! 
(A child is sent to open the door to the outside.)
LEADER 2- Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, and he will turn the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of the children to the parents before the coming of the great and awesome Day of God! Jesus told his disciples that John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy further clarifying that the Messianic Age had arrived!
The Hallel
LEADER 1 - Remember God's promise, "You will be my people and I will be your God" (Ex.6:7) Now let's fill our cups for the fourth and last time, and give thanks to our great God. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. 
ALL: (R.) His love lasts forever. 
Give thanks to the Lord, God of all creation. (R.)
Give thanks to Him who destroyed the demon gods of Egypt. (R.) 
Give thanks to Him who destroys the works of Satan today. (R.) 
Give thanks to Him who saved Israel from slavery in Egypt. (R.) 
Give thanks to Him who saves us from slavery to sin. (R.) 
Give thanks to God, our God, who chose us to be His people. (R.) 
The Fourth Cup--the Cup of Acceptance
(The fourth cup of wine is poured.)
LEADER 2- As our Seder draws to an end, we once again take up our cups of wine. The Redemption is not yet complete. The fourth cup recalls us to our covenant with the Eternal One, to the tasks that still await us as a people called to holy service, to a great purpose for which the people of Israel live: the preservation and affirmation of hope. "And I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God." 
LEADER 1 - Blessed are you, O Lord our God who brings forth the fruit of the vine.
(All drink the fourth cup of wine.)
LEADER 2- Our Seder now has ended with its history-laden rites. We have journeyed from Egypt on this storied night of nights. We bore witness, we remembered our covenant with You. So we pray that You redeem us as You pledged Your word to do. 
LEADER 1- Peace! Peace for us! For everyone! 
LEADER 2 - For all people, this, our hope: Next year may Jerusalem be at peace! 
ALL - Next year may all be free!
Postlude
LEADER 1 - This night marked the end of all the previous Seders and the coming of the reality they foreshadowed. The feasts and rituals and priesthood of the Mosaic covenant all pointed forward to the Great High Priest who would offer one sacrifice for sins forever… from now on, the people of God would celebrate with a new feast that focused on Jesus’ High Priestly work.
LEADER 2 - Jesus took the elements of the Passover meal and transformed them into elements of the New Covenant. Thus, as the last Passover drew to a close, a new ordinance was instituted for the church. The meal had ended. The last Passover was complete!
LEADER 1 - Matthew records that they sang a hymn – probably Psalm 118, the last hymn of the Hallel, that’s the traditional way to end a Seder. Either while sitting in the upper room, or shortly after leaving, Jesus prayed the lengthy prayer recorded in John 17 – His High Priestly prayer. And then they left for the Mount of Olives. Only Jesus fully understood the awful and awesome events that lay ahead.
HOMEWORK – Read Psalm 118 and John 17
Sources
Gadow, G. (1997).  Haggadah z'man heruteynu -- season of freedom haggadah. available at:  http://www.serv.net/~techbear/glb/haggada.html
New American Bible (1987). Greenlawn Press: South Bend, IN.
Parnes, R. (2000).  Passover haggadah.  Available at: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bparnes/HAGGADAH/seder.html