Blessing for the Seder Night
About This Entry
This expanded version of one of the blessings for the first night of Passover, to be recited over the second cup of wine, first appeared in the tenth-century prayer book of Se‘adya Ga’on. It is clear, however, that the text predates Se‘adya. Se‘adya himself introduces this blessing as an optional expansion for the first required cup of wine. This blessing has been adopted by certain communities, mostly in Yemen but also by some North African Jews. The first part is reminiscent of standard liturgical passages and the remainder draws on biblical passages, as is common in early piyyutim.
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who sanctified us above any people, and raised us higher than all tongues. He chose us and made us great. He wanted us and adorned us. He separated us as a portion from all nations. He gave us as an inheritance a pleasant land.
And He chose this day from all the days, and favored it and sanctified it above all times, for us to praise Him on this day for His wondrous deeds, and to remember it each and every year.
To declare that on this day He brought out His servants from Egypt, delivered us from the iron furnace [see Deuteronomy 4:20].
To declare that on this day they accepted His reign to serve Him with a full heart and a willing mind (1 Chronicles 28:9).
To declare that on this day He enacted vengeance upon their enemies, and on this day He sunk their adversaries in the sea.
To declare that on this day He performed mighty deeds for His loved ones, and many wonders for the children of His beloved ones.
To declare that You chose us, etc.
Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 3: Encountering Christianity and Islam.
