A Passover Seder in the Light of Christ

THE FOUR CUPS (Explanation)

LEADER: As we celebrate the seder, we will drink four cups of wine. These cups stand for the four things God promised to Moses (in Exodus 6:6,7). Each cup has its own name and meaning. First is the Cup of Blessing, from when God says “I will free you from your burdens in Egypt.” Second is the Cup of Judgment, from God saying “I will rescue you from slavery by mighty acts of judgment.” Third is the Cup of Redemption, from God’s promise, “I will save you with my outstretched arm.” The fourth cup is the Cup of Praise, where we praise God for saying, “I will make you my own people.”

THE FIRST CUP: BLESSING (KIDDUSH)

“I will free you from your burdens in Egypt.”

The Church Fathers noted that Egypt in the Old Testament was a figure of sin, and the Jews’ slavery there, a picture of one’s slavery to sin. Let us drink this first cup in remembrance of God’s promise to deliver us from our slavery in Egypt, our slavery to sin.

(Fill the first cup and say the following blessing:)

Baruch attah Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Haoolom
Bohoray Pree Haogawofen.

ALL: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.

And let us also thank God for our lives:

Baruch attah Adonai, Eloheynu Melech Ha-olam,
Shehaheyanu Vekeyamanu Vehigeyanu Lazman Hazeh.

ALL: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
Who Has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this season of rejoicing.

(All drink the first cup.)

Previous: Blessings of the Candles       Next: Washing of the Hands

(From The Hebrew Catholic, #73, Winter 2000-2001. All Rights Reserved.)

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