Download Seder Haggadah

Seder Haggadah
Introduction: Why celebrate Passover?
*Because God chose to reveal himself to the Jews, and to bless all nations through them.
*Because God includes believers among his chosen people.
Eph. 5:1 “…he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through
Jesus Christ…”
Rom 11:17 “… you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted
in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the
olive root…”
*Because Passover points to Yeshua, Our Messiah, and his accomplishment.
*God instituted seven annual feasts as celebrations of what he had done. His people were
to use them to pass memory down to their children from generation to generation. But
God was also preparing his people for the coming of the Messiah. He was drawing a
picture of what was to come. (Half are not yet fulfilled.) We can still find the pictures and
use them to teach our children today.
The Symbols of the Seder Plate
Only the Lamb, Matzah, and Bitter Herbs are commanded by God for Passover, but the
other foods have been part of the Passover tradition for centuries. Many date back to the
age of the Second Temple.
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Matzah, The unleavened bread, the bread of affliction. The Israelites fleeing
Egypt had no time for it to rise. It is also a symbol of Christ’s suffering.
The Roasted Lamb Bone is a reminder of the first Passover lamb, and Christ, the
second Passover Lamb.
Bitter Herbs (horseradish) recall the bitterness of slavery.
Parsley represents the hyssop branches used to apply the blood to the doorpost as
well as the growth of the nation Israel in Egypt.
The Charoset of apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine, represents the bricks and
mortar the Israelites were forced to make under Pharaoh's taskmasters.
A Roasted Egg is reminder of the temple sacrifice. Roasted eggs are a traditional
symbol of mourning, in this case, for the destruction of the Temple. Since its
destruction, Jews no longer sacrifice lambs or require on at the meal.
Salt Water symbolizes the blood of the first Passover lamb, also the tears shed by
the Israelites slaves, and the parted waters of the Red Sea.
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1.
Lighting of Candles - Performed by Mother
As Christ was born of a woman and born under the law, it is fitting that a woman begins
the meal and brings light to the table. The candles remind us that Yeshua is the Light of
the world.
Mother
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sent Thy
Son, Jesus our Messiah, to be the light of the world and our Passover Lamb,
that through him we might live.
Father
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give
you peace.
Reader 1
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life.” (John 8:12)
2.
The First cup - Sanctification - “I will bring you out of Egypt.”
The Four Cups of wine used in the Seder symbolized the four distinct promises made by
God as told in Exodus 6:6-7:
Reader 2
Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out
from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to
them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts
of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then
you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from
under the yoke of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
1. Cup of Sanctification – “I will bring you out of Egypt.”
2. Cup of Deliverance – “I will deliver you from slavery.”
3. Cup of Redemption – “I will redeem you with my power.”
4. Cup of Restoration – “I will take you as my people.”
Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the
fruit of the vine. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
who chose us from the peoples of the earth and sanctified us by Thy
commandments. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
who has given us life and brought us to this happy season.
Everyone drinks.
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3.
The Washing of Hands
This ancient symbol of purification is linked to the OT law and the tabernacle. Here it is a
picture of confession. It is likely Jesus washed the disciples’ feet at this point of the meal.
His example extends the meaning to include forgiveness and would indicate his divinity
and authority to forgive sin.
Reader 3
Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel
around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to
wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped
around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you
going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am
doing, but later you will understand.”
Reader 1
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless
I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied,
“not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered,
“Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body
is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who
was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned
to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked
them. (John 13:4-12)
One of the children carries the bowl, pitcher, and towel to each guest.
4.
Parsley dipped in salt water
Salt water a reminder of the tears of slavery. Parsley is symbolic of the low origins and
new life God brought his people to, as well as the growth of the nation in Israel. It can
also represent the hyssop used to apply the blood to the doorframes, and the salt water,
the blood.
Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the
fruit of the earth.
Everyone dips parsley in salt water and takes a bite.
5.
Matzah
Matzah is the “bread of affliction”, eaten in haste as the Israelites fled Egypt. It contains
no leaven, or yeast, as the people had no time to wait for the bread to rise.
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Reader 2
The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For
otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!” So the people took their dough
before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading
troughs wrapped in clothing. (Exodus 12:33-34)
Reader 3
Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came
out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of
it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. (Exodus 13:3)
The unleavened bread is also used a symbol for Christ and his affliction on our behalf,
which we’ll discuss further later in the meal. At this point, three Matzos (Father, Son,
Holy Spirit) are placed in white linen. The middle one is removed and broken. It is then
wrapped (death) separately, hidden (buried) and later retrieved (resurrected) for a reward.
Father
This is the bread of affliction which our forefathers ate in the land of Egypt.
Though Jews believe the three pieces in the Matzah tosh represents unity,
believers understand it is a picture of God revealed in three persons: the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Son left heaven, was broken, buried, and
brought back. He who finds Him receives a great reward, Eternal Life.
Everyone breaks off a piece of Matzah and eats. An adult hides the larger broken piece
(called the afikomen).
6.
The Four Questions
The questions begin the instructional part of the dinner.
Child
Why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights we may
eat either leavened or unleavened bread; but on this night why only
unleavened bread?
Father
We eat matzah because when our ancestors were told by Pharaoh that they
could leave Egypt, they had no time to bake bread with leaven, so they
baked it without.
Child
On all other nights we eat herbs of any kind; but on this night why only
bitter herbs?
Father
We eat bitter herbs to remind us of the bitterness our ancestors experienced
when they were oppressed by the Egyptian slave drivers.
Child
On all other nights we do not dip our herbs even once; but on this night why
do we dip them twice?
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Father
We dip the parsley in salt water, as we have already explained, and the
matzah into bitter herbs, as we shall soon explain.
Child
On all other nights we eat our meals sitting or reclining; but on this night
why do we eat reclining?
Father
Only slaves eat standing, while free people recline. To show that Israel is
now free, we recline while eating. Since we do not have couches for each
person, the leader has a pillow to represent this.
7.
Telling the Passover Story
Reader 1
The Bible teaches that during a great famine in the land of Canaan, the sons
of Israel journeyed to Egypt to purchase food. There they were reunited with
their brother Joseph and permitted to remain. At first, they numbered less
than 80 souls. But in time, they became a mighty people.
Reader 2
And then there arose a new Pharaoh, one who did not know Joseph. He saw
the might of Israel, and he feared that in time of war, the sons of Jacob
might join themselves with Egypt's enemies.
Reader 3
So he subdued the Israelites, and made them slaves. Task masters were
placed over the Israelites, to compel them to make bricks and to build
Pharaoh's great storage cities of Ramses and Pithom.
Reader 1
But despite their hardship, they continued to thrive, just as God had
promised. This caused Pharaoh even greater alarm, and he ordered every
male child born to the Hebrews was to be cast into the Nile and drowned.
Reader 2
In anguish, we cried to the God of our Fathers. And God heard our cry. God
remembered His covenant. And God raised up a deliverer, a redeemer, the
man Moses. And He sent Moses to Pharaoh's court to declare the
commandment of the Lord...
Reader 3
Let my people go.
Reader 1
But Pharaoh would not listen. And so plagues were poured out on the
Egyptians, upon their crops, and upon their flocks.
Reader 2
But Pharaoh's heart was hardened. He would not yield to the will of God.
Reader 3
Then the tenth plague fell upon the land of Egypt: Every firstborn son in
Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to
the firstborn son of the slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the
firstborn of the cattle as well (Ex.11:5). But to protect the children of Israel,
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God commanded the head of each Jewish household to sacrifice a spotless
lamb, without breaking any of its bones, and to apply it's blood to the
doorway of our homes, first to the top of the doorway, then to the sides.
Reader 1
The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I
see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you
when I strike Egypt. (Ex. 12:13)
Reader 2
By the blood of lambs was Israel spared.
Reader 3
By the blood of lambs was Jacob redeemed. By the blood of lambs was
death made to pass over.
Reader 1
Passover; the night death passed over the houses of Israel because of the
blood of the Passover lamb. What a mighty act of redemption. And what a
beautiful picture of redemption yet to come. For just as no bones of the first
Passover lambs were broken, so none of the Messiah's bones were broken.
Reader 2
And just as the blood of the first Passover lambs was applied by faith to the
doorposts, so the blood of Messiah must be applied by faith to our hearts.
Reader 3
Tonight, we worship God not only because the angel of death passed over
our ancestors homes, but because all of us, whether Jewish or Gentile, may
be redeemed from an even greater bondage through our faith in Jesus, the
Messiah of Israel. Through Him, we may pass over from death to life.
8.
The Second Cup - Deliverance - “I will deliver you out of slavery”
Before drinking, children name all the plagues. Keep track by dipping a pinkie finger in
the wine and placing a drop on your plate for each…blood, frogs, lice, swarms of insects,
cattle disease, boil, hail, locusts, darkness, slaying of the first born.
Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord Our God, King of the universe, who creates the
fruit of the vine.
Everyone drinks.
9.
Bitter Herbs
Horseradish is the herb used to symbolize the bitter state of slavery (sin) and the bitter
suffering of Christ. Charoset represents the bricks and mortar the Israelites were forced to
make. Matzah is dipped in the horseradish together with charoset.
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Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth
bread from the earth. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the
universe, who sanctified us by Thy commandments, and commanded us to
eat Matzah. Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who
sanctified us by Thy commandments, and commanded us to eat bitter herbs.
Everyone dips the Matzah in horseradish and charoset and eats.
10.
Enjoy the Seder Meal - Jews traditionally give thanks after the meal.
11.
The Broken Matzah
The children search for the hidden bread. The one who finds it receives a prize.
The appearance of Matzah reminds us of Messiah. It must have stripes, be pierced and
without leaven (sin). Jesus was afflicted, striped, pierced and without sin. The afikomen
is eaten to remind us of Jesus’ broken body.
Reader 1
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes
we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
This is the bread Christ broke during the last supper. By doing so, he was clearly
identifying himself with this picture. He suffered on our behalf. He was the fulfillment of
the bread of affliction. Here he was pronouncing him as Messiah to his disciples.
Reader 2
I Cor. 25:24 “…and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This
is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."
Break the afikomen and pass it around. Everyone eats of it.
12.
The Third Cup - Redemption - “I will redeem you with my power.”
With this cup we remember Israel’s deliverance from 430 years of slavery and their
redemption from the plague of death by the blood of the first Passover Lamb. As
believers, we also recognize the final fulfillment of this picture: Christ’s shed blood.
This is the cup mentioned in the last supper, indicated by “after the meal.” By identifying
himself with this cup and this bread, Christ was making a very clear claim that he was the
Messiah to his disciples. As Jews, there’s no way they would have missed this claim.
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Reader 3
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of
me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord's death until he comes. I Cor. 11: 25-26
Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, Our God, King of the universe, who creates the
fruit of the vine. Let us remember that Jesus' blood was poured out for the
forgiveness of sins, and be thankful.
Everyone drinks.
13.
Fourth Cup - Restoration - “I will take you as my people.”
Jesus told his disciples that He would not drink the fourth cup, but promised to do so with
them in the coming Kingdom (Matt. 26:28-9), after the Great Tribulation when “all Israel
shall be saved.” This time of restoration is further symbolized by the later feasts of Rosh
Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).
This is a joyful time of celebration, sometimes called the Cup of Thanksgiving or the Cup
of Elijah. Elijah is the bearer of good tidings of joy and peace. His name is especially
associated with the coming of the Messiah, whom he is expected to announce.
Reader 1
I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the
LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the
hearts of the children to their fathers. (Malachi 4:4-6)
The children run to the doors to see if Elijah has come back.
14.
Hallel
Collective Reading of Psalm 100, a Psalm of Praise
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Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
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Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
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Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
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For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness endures through all generations.
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Father
Blessed art Thou, O Lord Our God, King of the universe, who creates the
fruit of the Vine.
Everyone drinks.
15.
Father
Traditional Conclusion
Have compassion, O Lord our God, upon us, upon Israel your people, upon
Jerusalem your city, on Zion the dwelling place of your glory, and upon
your altar and your temple. Rebuild Jerusalem, your holy city, speedily in
our days. Be gracious to us and give us strength.
Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the universe. We thank Thee for
sustaining us all to this day. Blessed be the Lord.
Everyone shouts, “Next Year in Jerusalem!”
Volunteer close with an unscripted prayer of thanksgiving.
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