The Exodus from Egypt is so fundamental to Jewish faith that we mention it in every Shabbat and Yom Tov prayer service and Kiddush. Actually, the mitzva to mention the Exodus applies every day and every night, as we read (Deuteronomy 16:3), “so that you remember the day of your departure from the land of Egypt all the days of your life.” (The night obligation is derived from the extra word “all.”) Usually, we fulfill the mitzva when we read the third paragraph of the Shema, which mentions the Exodus (22:4 above).
However, we do not make do with a simple mention at the Seder (which takes place in Israel on the first night of Passover and in the diaspora on the first two nights). Rather, there is a special mitzva then to retell the story of the Exodus at length. This is meant to provide a solid foundation for the Jewish people’s faith and mission, so the light of that faith can illuminate the entire year.
We have two primary goals at the Seder: to tell the story of the Exodus for our own sake, and to pass this legacy on to our children. With these goals in mind, on this holy night every one of us must view ourselves as if he or she personally went out of Egypt. We must tell the miraculous story in detail, eat the matza and maror that symbolize the great miracle, enjoy a festive meal, and conclude with praise of God. In Temple times, there was also a mitzva to eat the Paschal offering, which expressed the Jewish people’s uniqueness (30:1 above).
Everyone at the Seder usually has a copy of the Haggada, the Seder guidebook. Its largest section is called Maggid, which tells the story of the Exodus. (The literal translation of both Haggada and Maggid is “telling.”) Typically, the text is recited out loud. However, it is commendable to go beyond the text and expand upon the story of the Exodus, the mission of the Jewish people, and God’s kindness to us. When there are children at the Seder, the adults should focus on explaining the story in a clear and simple way appropriate to children, so as not to lose their attention.
Some families have a beautiful custom in which older relatives tell their personal and family stories, passing the heritage on to the younger generation. These stories focus on how the family remained connected to Jewish tradition, and (when relevant) how they participated in the Jewish people’s modern exodus and came to live in the Land of Israel.
