א
Only matzah
On all nights we eat leavened and unleavened — why on this night only matzah?
The night of telling
“And you shall tell your child”
The Seder is the order of the festival night. Its central commandment is to tell the children the story of the Exodus, so that the memory of freedom is not broken in any generation.
מגיד
Magid — the telling
The heart of the Seder: following the Haggadah, the Exodus story is retold, beginning with the children's questions and answering them through the night.
מצה
Matzah
The “bread of affliction” and of freedom: the unleavened bread eaten in memory of the hasty departure from Egypt.
מרור
Maror
Bitter herbs — the taste of slavery. They are eaten to feel the bitterness out of which the people went free.
ד׳ כוסות
The four cups
Over the night four cups of wine are drunk — for the four promises of redemption given to the people.
Ma Nishtana
Why is this night unlike the others?
The youngest at the table asks four questions — Ma Nishtana. The telling begins with them: everything unusual at the table calls for explanation.
ב
Bitter herbs
On all nights we eat any vegetables — why on this night maror, bitter herbs?
ג
We dip twice
On all nights we do not dip even once — why on this night twice?
ד
We recline
On all nights we eat sitting or leaning — why on this night does everyone recline, like free people?
This is the bread of affliction… let all who are hungry come and eat.