Thoughts on the Haggadah

Anti-Semitism bears testimony to the Almighty’s watchful eye which continues to guide us through our providential mission on earth.

From a child's answers, you might know something about what the child knows. From a child's question, you know who the child is.

Fifteen short and juicy explanations to accompany your seder. Includes a printout with one tidbit per page, so you can hand these out to your participants.

People in trouble don’t have the time or luxury to wait while you quibble over the command structure; they’re waiting for you to rescue them from evil.

We announce on Passover night, "All who are hungry, come and eat; all who are needy come and celebrate Passover." What is the point of making grand invitations when the truly needy can't hear it?

The Haggadah teaches us how to respond to the unique needs of four different types of children, or possibly the same child, depending on the circumstances and the motivation behind the question.

How do we deal with the "Wicked Son"? And who is the elusive "Fifth Son" that's not even mentioned in the Haggadah?

Is it really necessary, more than 3000 years on, to commemorate our ancestors’ freedom from slavery? Can’t we move on to pressing contemporary issues?

Here’s one I always wanted to know: What if you’re living in Jerusalem? Do you say the prayer/wish, “Next year in Jerusalem!” or just leave that line out?

Why is the there hardly any mention of Moses in the Passover Haggadah?

Matzah represents the bare necessities of life. The Passover offering represents luxuries whose function is solely to give pleasure. Maror represents a middle ground between these two extremes...

What would be the point of going to Mount Sinai if not to receive the Torah? What other point is there in being there? After all, at this particular mountain there is neither food, nor water, nor skiing . . .

Laban was truly family! Yet, his anti-Semitism was legendary. In other words, attempts to break down the walls between Jews and non-Jews by assimilating and intermarrying will not fix anti-Semitism.

Why is such a strong emphasis placed on telling the Passover story? Couldn’t we simply sit around the table, relax, lean back in our chairs, and enjoy our current state of freedom?

What does Hillel's custom teach us.

The transmission from one generation to the next is the key to healthy Judaism

We’re almost finished the Haggadah, and here are two rabbis debating the plague count. Why? Because it makes a big difference. How deeply can human beings affect their environment?

I read in the Passover Haggadah reader that had G‑d not taken us out of Egypt thousands of years ago, we would still be slaves today. Do we really believe that?

Here’s one we argue over every year at our Passover Seder: Why do we spill the wine when we mention each one of the Ten Plagues, and what are we supposed to do with the spilled wine?

Our sages established that we drink four cups of wine at the Seder, recalling the four expressions of redemption

The true life of a Jew is not his or her physical life, but his or her spiritual life.

The three words, attributed to Rabbi Judah, we say while spilling wine at the Seder, teach deep insights about the 10 plagues.