Brief Guide to the Passover Seder Service

Barech - Bless

We fill the third cup of wine, recite the grace after meals, and drink the third cup of wine.

We then pour a cup of wine for the prophet Elijah. Someone from the seder table, usually a child, opens the door of the house to invite in Elijah. We hope Elijah will come to announce the arrival of the Messiah.

Hallel - Praise

Finally, we fill the fourth cup of wine and then recite Hallel, the psalms of praise. Following Hallel we recite the blessing over the wine, and drink it.

Playful songs which are sung at the end of the Seder service are intended to hold the attention of children until the very end of the service.

Nirtzeh

Nirtzeh marks the end of the Seder with the hymn:

Ended is the Passover seder, according to custom, statute and law. As we were worthy to celebrate it this year, so may we perform it in future years. Oh pure one in heaven above, restore the congregation of Israel in your love. Speedily lead your people to Zion in joy. Next year in Jerusalem!

In Judaism, Jerusalem is a metaphor for a perfect world. Jews face Jerusalem when they pray, and every synagogue in the world faces Jerusalem. By saying "Next Year in Jerusalem" at the end of the Seder, we are not making a political or even physical statement. We are noting our hope to be redeemed and live in a perfect world. After all, this is what the Seder is about - commemorating God's redemption of the Israelites and moving closer to our own redemption.