The First Cup
The Cup of Sanctification

Our Bible uses different words and phrases to express the divine promises of freedom for our people. These may respresent different stages of redemption. We can also read these promises as toasts to the generations of our people who committed themselves to the struggle for liberation in their own day. Like wine, we can appreciate freedom as a gift to use wisely with respect. Over the course of the Seder we will drink four cups of wine to recall each time freedom was promised.
Many patterns of four appear in our telling tonight. This is the first of them.

The first promise states:

I am God, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians.

I often feel emotionally and physically burdened by arbitrary and external restrictions. When I gain the ability to cast these off I realize the gift of our ancestors who prepared themselves to leave the flesh-pots of Egypt and seek a new meaning for their lives in the uncharted desert.

This first stage of redemption and this first cup of wine we dedicate to them. We raise our Kiddush cups and proclaim the holiness of this Day of Freedom!

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all space and time, creator of the fruit of the vine.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, sovereign of all space and time! We have been called for service from among the peoples, and have had our lives made special with directives. Given to us are festivals for rejoicing, seasons of celebration, this Festival of Matzot, the time of our freedom, a commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt. Praised be God, celebrated with this joyful heritage and Sanctifier of Israel and the festivals.
Blessed are You Adonai our God, Sovereign of all space and time, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this wonderful moment.

The Second Cup

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Last modified on March 30, 2000