B"H

Thursday, Adar2 28, 5779 / April 4, 2019

For the Seder we prepare a special "Seder Plate" (Ka’arah), which contains three matzot. On top of the three matzot, we place six tems; A shank bone (zeroa); an egg (beitzah), bitter herbs (maror), a vegetable (karpas), the charoset; and chazeres (maror). 

After reciting the Kiddush, we drink the first cup of wine. Although on other holidays we take a taste of wine from the one who recites the kiddush, at the Seder each one has their personal cup of wine to drink from. The reason is this night of Pesach is different.. is becaue it’s a mitzvah for everyone at the Seder to drink four cups of wine.

Q.In many congregations, the Kiddush (over wine), is recited Friday night and holidays in the synagogue, after the evening service.  Why, is the Kiddush not recited in the synagogue on Pesach?

A.  Since the cup of wine, over which the Kiddush is recited, is the first of the four cups which we drink at the Seder, the Kiddush cannot be recited in synagogue (unless the Seder is performed in synagogue). It must be done at the Seder, where we drink the other three cups of wine.

Q.  Why is the night of Pesach associated with the number four? Four cups of wine; Four sons; Four questions?

A. Pesach is associated with the number four becauseG-d used four expressions of redemption regarding the liberation of the people of Israel from Egypt.

In Exodus (6:6-7) G-d tells Moshe, "Therefore say to the children of Israel: I am the L-rd, and I will bring you out ("V'hotzeti") from under the burdens of the Egyptians; and I will deliver you ("V'hitzalti") from their bondage; and I will redeem you ("V'gaalti") with an outstretched arm and with great judgment.  And I will take you ("V'lakachti") to Me for a people and I will be to you a G-d; and you shall know that I am the L-rd your G-d, Who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians." 

These four expressions ("I will bring you out... I will deliver you... I will redeem you... I will take you to Me") represent different stages in the redemption. We commemorate these four expressions and stages of our freedom through the four cups of wine we drink at the Seder.

According to another opinion in the Talmud the four cups of wine also remind us of the liberation of Joseph, many years before the Exodus. Joseph, who spent many years in an Egyptian jail, was freed from jail as a result of his correct interpretation of the dream of Pharaoh's butler.  In describing his dream and Joseph's interpretation of the dream, the word "kos" - "cup" is mentioned four times(Genesis40:11-13).   As a result of this episode, Joseph was given his freedom and eventually became ruler of Egypt.  Thus, thefour cups also represent Joseph's freedom.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY