This reminds us of the Pesach sacrifice. ה ק ע ר ה

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1 WELCOME 01 THE SEDER PLATE WHAT S ON THE SEDER PLATE AND WHY? This reminds us of the Pesach sacrifice. Proudly supported by ה ק ע ר ה THIS IS THE BREAD 03 THIS IS THE BREAD WHAT LANGUAGE IS THE PARAGRAPH HA LACHMA ANYA WRITTEN IN? A HEBREW B YIDDISH C ARAMAIC C ARAMAIC WHY DO WE BEGIN THE STORY OF THE HAGADDAH BY INVITING ANYBODY TO OUR SEDER SAYING: WHOEVER IS HUNGRY, LET THEM COME AND EAT? This was the language everyone understood at the time. This section in the Hagaddah is an open invitation for anyone to join the Seder. But what would be the point of inviting people in Hebrew if no one could understand what was said? So that s why it is written in the most widely understood language of that time - Aramaic. On Pesach we open our homes to those in need, including strangers because once we were strangers too. When Bnei Yisrael got to Egypt, we were described as strangers in the Land of Egypt. The Ramban (Spain, ), explains that the word stranger means we were totally helpless to defend ourselves against the Egyptians, and yet Hashem came to our defence. ה א ל ח מ א ע נ י א 02 Now that we are a free and powerful nation, we remember what it was like when we didn t have these luxuries, and open our hearts, and our homes to those that need our help. ה א ל ח מ א ע נ י א 03

2 04 05 FASCINATING FACT WHO WAS MOSHE S WIFE? Tzipporah. Moshe fled from Egypt to Midyan, frustrated with the harsh way the Egyptians were treating the Jewish slaves. One day, while Moshe was sitting by the well in Midyan, Yitro s daughters arrived to draw water for their father s sheep. Suddenly, other shepherds arrived, and tried to drive the girls away. Moshe then stepped in, saved the girls and helped them water their flock. The oldest existing Hagaddah dates back to the year and comes from the Cairo Geniza. Between , explorer Solomon Schechter and his team uncovered thousands of letters, documents and stories in the Ben Ezra Shul in Old Cairo, Egypt. When the girls returned home, they related the story back to their father Yitro, who then invited Moshe to be a guest in his home. Eventually, Moshe married Tzipporah, one of Yitro s daughters. They had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Can you think of a situation when you have had to act like Moshe, to stand up for and defend a friend? 04 FASCINATING FACT Can you imagine a family in Cairo reading the same words we are reading tonight, over years ago? WHY IS THIS NIGHT FOUR SONS, FOUR CUPS OF WINE, FOUR QUESTIONS IN MA NISHTANAH - WHY IS THE NUMBER FOUR SO IMPORTANT? In the Torah, we see Hashem taking us out of Egypt is expressed by four phrases: ש מות ו:ו-ז ל כ ן א מ ר ל ב נ י י ש ר א ל א נ י ה ו ה וצ את י א ת כ ם מ ת ח ת ס ב לת מ צ ר י ם ו ה צ ל ת י א ת כ ם מ ע ב ד ת ם ו ג אל ת י א ת כ ם ב ז ר וע נ ט וי ה וב ש פ ט ים ג ד ל ים: ו ל ק ח ת י א ת כ ם ל י ל ע ם ו ה י ית י ל כ ם ל א לים ו יד ע ת ם כ י א נ י ה א לה יכ ם ה מ וצ יא א ת כ ם מ ת ח ת ס ב ל ות מ צ ר י ם: Shemot 6:6-7 Therefore, say to the children of Israel, 'I am Hashem, and I will take you away from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will save you from their labour, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. And I will take you to Me as a people, and I will be a God to you, and you will know that I am Hashem your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. The four phrases of redemption show us that there are four steps or processes we need to go through on Pesach in order to fully understand or appreciate our freedom. It is for this reason that the number four recurs throughout the Hagaddah. How do you understand the different meaning of each of the four phrases? מ ה נ ש ת נ ה IMAGINE THAT Afrikaans: Hoe verskil die nag van alle ander nagte? Dutch:Wat is het vershchil tussen deze avond en alle andere avonden? Farsi: Cherah een shab ba ah shab hayeh deegar fargh dareht? French: Pourquoi cette nuit se distingue-t-elle de toutes les autres nuits? German: Was macht diese Nacht anders als alle anderen Nächte? Hindi:Ye shaam dusre shaamo se kyon aalag hai? Italian: Che differenza c è fra questa e tutte le altre notti? WHY IS THIS NIGHT All over the world, the youngest child in thousands of Jewish homes will be singing Ma Nishtanah tonight. מ ה נ ש ת נ ה Japanese: Kon yá wa hokano toru to ciou chigaimasuka? Ladino: Kuanto fue demud ad a la noçe la esta, mas ke tod as las noçes? Urdu: Yeh raat baaqi raaton se mukhtalif kyun hai? Yiddish: Vee azoi iz di nacht fun Pesach anders fun alle necht fun a gantz yor? or Farvoss iz di nacht fun Pesach anderish fun alle nacht fun a gantz yahr? Zulu: Kugani lobubusuku behlukile kobunye na? IMAGINE THAT 07

3 08 09 WE WERE SLAVES WHICH IDOL-WORSHIPPING PRIEST DESCRIBED HASHEM AS THE LORD [WHO IS] GREATER THAN ALL THE GODS. WHAT DOES THE WORD PAROH (PHARAOH) MEAN? Yitro, Moshe s father-in-law. After Yitro heard the miraculous way in which Hashem took us out of Egypt, Yitro exclaimed with joy, Blessed be the Lord. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods. He found the Exodus from Egypt as a source of faith in Hashem. How does telling the story of our leaving Egypt deepen your faith in Hashem? In ancient Egypt pr-aa, literally meaning "Great House", refers to the king's palace, and was used by Egyptians when speaking about or to the king. The name Paroh is Hebrew, can be read as an abbreviation of the words peh rah, evil mouth, since the Egyptian ruler called out mockingly Who is this Hashem that I should listen to? Why should He be the one to tell me to let Israel out? I do not know Hashem, neither will I let Israel out." (Shemot 5:2) 08 Hebrew names often have deep meanings. What does your Hebrew name mean? ע ב ד ים ה י ינ ו WE WERE SLAVES WHY IS THERE A COMMANDMENT TO TELL THE STORY OF THE EXODUS EVERY YEAR? 11 SURELY WE KNOW IT ALREADY? ה ק ד מ הל מ ס י ל תי ש ר י ם מ ל ת א ד ל א ר מ י א ע ל ה ד א נ יש ל או א ד ע ת ה. Introduction to The Path of the Just A person does not focus on something that is not at the top of his mind. This could be understood as being similar to the saying: out of sight, out of mind. The Ramchal (Italy, ) explains that ideas which are not reviewed again and again can easily be forgotten. By constantly reminding ourselves about the miraculous way that Hashem took us out of Egypt, we ensure that the Exodus is not only remembered, but helps us be grateful to Hashem for all that He does for us. Each time we experience the seder, we deepen our understanding of what happened by discovering and discussing new thoughts and ideas. We praise Hashem before and after we eat. How is this connected to the Ramchal's idea above? ע ב ד ים ה י ינ ו 10 WHO WERE THE MIDWIVES WHO WENT AGAINST PAROH S ORDERS AND SAVED THE JEWISH BOYS? Yocheved & Miriam, Moshe s mother and sister! Yocheved was the daughter of Levi, who was Ya akov s son. She was also known by another name. In the beginning of Shemot, the Torah refers to two midwives who would deliver Jewish babies in Egypt named Shifrah and Pu ah. The Midrash tells us that Shifrah and Pu ah were actually Yocheved, Moshe s mother, and Miriam, Moshe s sister. Even though Paroh commanded Miriam and Yocheved to kill all Jewish boys at birth, these two heroines disobeyed Paroh and were therefore blessed by Hashem with dynasties that would be Kohanim, Levi im and Kings. 11

4 12 A STORY IS TOLD IMAGINE THAT 13 WHAT DOES THE HEBREW WORD Z ROA MEAN? hand arm bone meat Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariyah, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon were all at a seder together. These leading Rabbis lived in the aftermath of the destruction of the Temple being burned to the ground and their people exiled. Despite all of this, these faithful men gathered in the home of Rabbi Akiva in Bnei Brak and spoke about Pesach until they saw the light of dawn. This reminds us that in times of darkness, we must know that we will always be redeemed by Hashem, and there is always hope for better times. arm This reminds us that with an outstretched arm, Hashem took us out of egypt. HOW LONG AFTER MIXING FLOUR AND WATER DOES THE DOUGH BECOME CHAMETZ? 30 minutes 42 minutes 18 minutes 2 hours IMAGINE THAT מ ע ש ה ב ר ב י א ל יע ז ר minutes The matzah-dough must be in the oven before the 18 minutes are up WHO WENT WITH MOSHE TO ASK PAROH TO LET THE JEWS GO FREE? Aharon, Moshe s older brother! He was born three years before Moshe and before Paroh made a ruling to kill all the male Jewish children. From the moment Moshe returned from the deserts of Midyan to a role of a leader, Aharon did not grudgingly step aside for his younger brother, but did so with joy in his heart. Aharon was the first Kohen Gadol that served in the Mishkan when we left Egypt. Have you had an opportunity to wish someone well for their success, without feeling jealous? 14

5 16 THE FOUR CHILDREN 17 WHEN THE JEWS LEFT EGYPT, HASHEM TOLD US TO BUILD THE BEAUTIFUL MISHKAN MADE OF GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE AS WELL AS LUXURIOUS FABRICS. WHY DOES THE TORAH ANSWER THE FOUR CHILDREN INDIVIDUALLY. ISN T ONE ANSWER ENOUGH FOR ALL OF THEM? AS POOR SLAVES, WE HAD ONLY WORKED WITH CEMENT AND BRICKS. HASHEM KNEW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT HIS WISHES, BUT HOW? ש מו ת לה:כא ו י ב א ו כ ל א י ש א ש ר נ ש א ו ל ב ו ו כ ל א ש ר נ ד ב ה ר וח ו א ת ו ה ב יא ו א ת ת ר ומ ת ה ל מ ל אכ ת א ה ל מ וע ד ול כ ל ע ב ד ת ו ול ב ג ד י ה ק ד ש: Shemot 35:21 Every person who was inspired, brought a donation for the building of Hashem s House (Mishkan), the service in the Mishkan and for the clothing that would be worn by those that would work there. We learn from the Hagaddah that every person is unique and learns in a different way. In the book of Mishlei, Proverbs, Shlomo Hamelech writes, Educate a child according to his way (Mishlei 22:6). Each of us is different and each of us see things differently. Imagine how boring the world would be if we were all the same? כ נ ג ד א ר ב ע ה ב נ ים 16 Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz (Poland, ) explains that our belief in our own potential is what inspired us to complete Hashem s task. We realised just how much Hashem wanted us to be His nation. Seeing how much Hashem will do for us inspired the Jewish nation to believe in our potential and all we could achieve. We may not have known how to fashion gold and silver, we didn t have any special skills; but we were determined to try. When we really believe in ourselves, we will be amazed at the inner strength we have, and what, with Hashem s blessings, we can achieve when we take on a challenge AT FIRST OUR ANCESTORS 19 THE TALMUD (PESACHIM 116A) SAYS THAT WE BEGIN THE STORY OF THE EXODUS WITH THE GLOOMY YEARS OF OUR HISTORY AND END WITH THE GLORIOUS PART. IF IT ALL ENDED WELL, WHY DO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THE PAIN AND SUFFERING? WHO WAITED AMONG THE BUSHES WHILE MOSHE S BASKET FLOATED DOWN THE RIVER, WATCHING OVER HIM TO MAKE SURE HE WAS ALL RIGHT? Pesach is a time of perspective; it is a time for looking back. In doing so, we realise that the tough parts are important because they make us a stronger, wiser nation, capable of overcoming any obstacle. Miriam, the older sister of Moshe and Aharon! Miriam was a prophetess and knew that her parents would give birth to the person who would bring about their people's redemption. We don t set aside or ignore this because it is an important part of what made us the nation we became: We discuss how we got to Egypt in the first place as well as what happened after we left. We received the Torah at Mount Sinai, we entered the land of Israel and built the Temple. As Jews, we look at the full sweep of history, not just at the events we like or are proud of. מ ת ח ל ה ע ובד י ע ב וד ה ז ר ה 18 When Paroh's daughter drew Moshe out of the water, Miriam arranged for her mother, Yocheved to nurse Moshe and raise him until he was old enough to be on his own. It was in Miriam s merit that a well of water followed the Jewish people while they were in the desert. Have you ever had to think quick to save a situation? 19

6 20 WHY DO WE DIP THE KARPAS? 21 GO AND LEARN HOW WERE LAVAN AND YA'AKOV RELATED? To show we were slaves To show that we are kings To remind us of the tears Ya'akov and Lavan were second cousins and Lavan was Yaakov s uncle and father-in-law. None of the above Terach to show that we are kings Slaves do not dip food. Dipping is a sign of luxury. We dip in salt water to remind us of the tears. Lot Haran Milkah Nahor Betuel Avraham Sarah Hagar Yishmael Yitzchak WHAT DOES THE WORD HAGADDAH MEAN? Daughter Daughter Lavan Rivkah Ya akov Eisav telling showing listening tasting Moabites Rachel +Zilpah Leah +Bilpah Yishmalites Telling We tell the story of how the Jews left Egypt. 20 Ammonites Israelites Israelites צ א ול מ ד Edomites WHICH OF THESE IS NOT A PLAGUE? 23 darkness leprosy blood hail leprosy WHO WENT HEAD-FIRST INTO THE RED SEA BEFORE MOSHE EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO SPLIT IT? Nachshon Ben Aminadav. WHAT ARE WE FORBIDDEN TO DO WITH CHAMETZ ON PESACH? eat it own it use it benefit from it all of the above 22 The Midrash tells us that when the Jews got to the Red Sea, and the command was given to move forward, each of the tribes hesitated with fear. Only the courageous Nachshon knew Hashem would provide a solution as he walked right into the treacherous ocean. It was only after that, that Hashem made the sea split. From Nachshon we learn the importance of having faith in Hashem & living courageously! 23

7 24 HASHEM TOOK US OUT FIRST IT SAYS THAT HASHEM TOOK THE JEWS OUT OF EGYPT DURING THE DAY AND THEN, LATER ON, THE TORAH SAYS WE LEFT EGYPT AT NIGHT. 25 SO WHICH WAS IT? ב מ דב רלג:ג ב ח מ ש ה ע ש ר י ום ל ח ד ש ה ר א ש ון מ מ ח ר ת ה פ ס ח י צ א ו ב נ י י ש ר א ל ב י ד ר מ ה ל ע ינ י כ ל מ צ ר י ם: Bamidbar 33:3 On the day after the Pesach sacrifice, the Jews left triumphantly before the eyes of the Egyptians. WHO FOUND MOSHE IN THE RIVER AND SAVED HIM? ד ב ר ים טז:א כ י ב ח ד ש ה אב יב ה וצ יא ך ה א לה י ך מ מ צ ר י ם ל י ל ה: Devarim 16:1 It was in the month of spring that Hashem your God brought you out of Egypt at night. The Talmud (Berachot 9a) explains that both answers are true; the redemption began at night but was completed by day. As the first born were struck at midnight, Paroh was grieving and angry, so he raced to find Moshe. Paroh instructed Moshe that the Jews should get out of Egypt immediately. But Hashem said no! He did not want us to sneak out like thieves in the night. So, Hashem told us to wait until daybreak to leave Egypt with our heads held high. ו י וצ א נ ו ה 24 Paroh s daughter, Batya! Growing up as the daughter of Paroh, Batya saw firsthand her fathers cruelty and abuse of power. She didn t follow in his ways but showed kindness to the Jewish people and left Mitzrayim with them as a convert. Moshe had seven names, but he was known by the name that Batya gave him because of how brave she was. Have you ever behaved kindly when others around you are being cruel? THE 10 PLAGUES 27 RABBI YOSSI PAROH WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST BORN IN HIS FAMILY. SO WAS HIS DAUGHER BATYA, WHO SAVED MOSHE FROM THE NILE. WHY THEN DID THE LAST PLAGUE NOT AFFECT THEM? MOSHE IS THE PERSON WHO IS MENTIONED THE MOST IN THE TORAH, YET, HIS NAME IS ONLY MENTIONED ONCE IN THE HAGADDAH. WHY? Paroh was a firstborn, but Hashem saved him from the tenth plague so that he would be able to tell the world about Hashem s power. The daughter of Paroh, Batya, was also a firstborn, but Moshe prayed for her, and in this merit, she too survived the tenth plague. ע ש ר ה מ כות 26 Our miraculous exodus from Egypt did not happen because of Moshe; it happened because of Hashem. The one and only time Moshe is mentioned in the Hagaddah, he is referred to as the servant of Hashem. This is because without Hashem, Moshe could not have performed any of the miracles we read about. ר ב י י וס י 27

8 28 RABBI YOSSI WHEN THE JEWISH PEOPLE CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE RED SEA, HASHEM TOLD MOSHE TO STRETCH OUT HIS STAFF IN ORDER THAT THE SEAS WOULD SPLIT. WHEN THE JEWS GOT TO THE OTHER SIDE, HASHEM TOLD MOSHE TO ONCE AGAIN STRETCH OUT HIS STAFF AND CLOSE THE WATERS OVER THE EGYPTIAN ARMY. BUT WHY? SURELY THE WATERS SHOULD HAVE NATURALLY GONE BACK TO THEIR REGULAR STATE WHEN THE MIRACLE FINISHED? Rabbi Mordechai Gifter (America, ) explains that these acts needed a gesture from Moshe because both the split sea, and the regular sea are equally miraculous. When we look at the waters of the ocean, we must realise that they are in a constant state of creation. Our world, as we know it, could change at any time. The stability and order of nature is as wondereous as the most awesome of miracles. That is why our Sages remind us to give thanks to Hashem - not only for creating the world, but also for sustaining it. ר ב י י וס י WHILE WE WERE STILL IN EGYPT, HASHEM EXPLAINED THE MITZVAH OF THE JEWISH CALENDAR: THAT THE MONTH BEGINS WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE NEW MOON. WHY WAS THIS MITZVAH GIVEN TO US BEFORE THE TORAH WAS GIVEN AT MOUNT SINAI A FEW WEEKS LATER? The Sforno (Italy, ) explains that Hashem wanted to emphasise the importance of time. As slaves, our time was not our own as we were controlled by the Egyptians. But when we left Egypt, we became free people; people who were the masters of our own time. The way we spend our time is our choice and we have to take responsibility for those choices. This is what true freedom is all about FASCINATING FACT Generation Sinai is a multi-media platform for parents and children to connect and learn Torah sources and ideas with one another in preparation for each Jewish holiday. Generation Sinai was first introduced in South Africa in 2011 to great success, and was subsequently taken global, reaching thousands of parents and children in cities around the world. Generation Sinai is about Jewish parents and children sitting down together to learn the same Torah that Jewish parents and children have learnt together since time immemorial, unifying Jews across the globe and throughout the ages, explains South African Chief Rabbi Dr Warren Goldstein, who originated the initiative. There s a connection that happens between people when they learn Torah together a spiritual energy that creates a bond between parents and children like nothing else can. All previous modules are freely available online at generationsinai.com FASCINATING FACT 30 Generation Sinai is made possible through the generous sponsorship and support of Liberty. Proudly supported by