Ken Royal - The New American Haggadah: A Simple Passover Seder for the Whole Family

Dedicated to our family

past, present, and future

Welcome to the New American Haggadah, which we created to blend the traditions of the Passover Seder with modern American Jewish culture.

The history of Judaism is replete with rebirths and renewals of ceremonial traditions. Part of the spirit of Judaism is the constant reformation of traditions. Since the Exodus from Egypt, which occurred from about 1280 to 1270 BCE, there have been over 3000 different Haggadot in many languages. Although the core is always the same, the story is often retold from different points of view, in keeping with the notion that in each generation, everyone must think of themselves as having personally left Egypt. Therefore, every generation must carry the torch, but in their own way. This Haggadah represents our way.

Our Haggadah focuses on the positive aspects of our customs, particularly freedom and tolerance. It communicates these values using traditional Hebrew songs and prayers with supporting Torah text, but explains ideas and history in modern English so that we can understand and appreciate them. Although it is new and American, it is based on the Seders of our ancestors, and continues the traditions, prayers, songs, words, and rituals of our past so that our family and others can truly share and appreciate our heritage.

Ken Royal and Lauren Royal

March 2012

(besides place settings, wine, and festival meal)

Two candlesticks with candles for candle lighting

Matches or lighter for candle lighting

Pitcher, bowl, and towels for the first washing of the hands

Pre-moistened hand towels (ready to quickly heat in the microwave) for the second washing of the hands

Elijah's Cup

Plate with three matzot (covered)

Napkin or bag to cover afikoman

Main Seder plate:

horseradish

roasted lamb shank

roasted egg

parsley

romaine lettuce

a small orange

a scoop of charoset (recipe in back of book).

Individual Seder plates, each with:

a matzah broken into four pieces

a mini bowl of saltwater

two or more thin slices of horseradish root

a sprig of parsley

a scoop of charoset

a peeled hard-boiled egg

One person is designated as the leader of the Seder. The leader begins the ceremony, as indicated by the parenthetical statement: The leader says.

Much of the service is recited by one participant at a time, moving counter-clockwise around the gathering when indicated by the words: Next participant. The leader does not read any of the "Next participant" sections.

The words All together signify that everyone, including the leader, should participate.

The statements in bold are recited, including the Hebrew words (or the transliterations in italics).

The capitalized parenthetical statements indicate specific behaviors for those attending the Seder.

The Chapter Numbers in the Table of Contents are actually page numbers that match up with the printed version of this book. So if you lose your place and some seder participants are using printed Haggadahs, ask them what page they are on and go there using the Table of Contents.

Everyone should pay attention out of respect for the Seder, and so they know when it is their turn!

(EVERYONE TAKES THEIR PLACE AROUND THE TABLE AND FILLS THEIR CUP WITH WINE BEFORE BEGINNING.)

(The leader says):

Among the ceremonies that sustain our Jewish heritage, especially beloved is the Seder, celebrated on Passover Eve, which is also called Pesach. The name Seder means order, as in the order of the service. By reading the words of this Haggadah and by eating symbolic foods, we obey the mitzvah written in the Torah: You shall tell the Pesach story to your children in the days to come. The story we tell is how the Jewish people were freed from being slaves in Egypt. We call this the Exodus.

The first ritual is the candle lighting, which is traditionally performed by the females in the home. Ladies, please rise, gather around the candles, and perform the lighting ceremony.

(THE FEMALES GATHER AROUND THE CANDLES, LIGHT THEM, AND TOGETHER RECITE THE FOLLOWING BLESSINGS.)

, .

Baruch atah Adonai Ellohaynu mellach ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik nair shel yom tov.

Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by Thy commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the festival lights.

, .

Baruch atah Adonai Ellohaynu mellach ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higianu lazman hazzeh.

Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, King of the Universe, who has kept us alive and well so that we can celebrate this special time.

May our home be consecrated, O God, by the light of Thy countenance, shining upon us in blessing, and bringing us peace!

(All together):

May the candles remind us that we must help and not hurt, cause joy and not sorrow, create and not destroy, and help all to be free. We praise God for the gift of life and this happy time.

(The leader says):

Everyone please be seated. It is now time for us to raise our first cup of wine.

(THE FEMALES TAKE THEIR SEATS. EVERYONE PICKS UP THE FIRST CUP OF WINE.)

(The leader says):

In the Pesach story we are told four times, in different ways, that God promised freedom to our people. We remember each of these promises with a cup of wine. With the first cup of wine we recall the first promise found in the Torah: I am God, and I will free you from the slavery of Egypt.

(All together):

, .

Baruch atah Adonai Ellohaynu mellach ha'olam bowray paree hagafen.

Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

(Next participant):

Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, King of the Universe, Who has made us holy through Your mitzvot and lovingly given us festivals for gladness.

(Next participant):

With love You have given us this Festival of Matzota celebration of our freedom and a holy time to recall our going out of Egypt.

(All together):

Blessed art Thou, Eternal our God, King of the Universe, Who has given us life and sustenance and brought us to this happy season.

(The leader says):

Let's all drink our first cup of wine.

(EVERYONE DRINKS THE FIRST CUP OF WINE.)