When the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E., the rabbis had to find a new way to celebrate Passover, until then a pilgrimage festival centered around eating lamb roasted in a Temple sacrifice. As described in the Mishnah, the Jewish law code completed in about 200 C.E., they refocused the holiday around the Seder and its requirement for Jews to tell the story of God’s triumph over Pharaoh. The rabbis wanted young people to actively participate in the Seder so they would learn the Passover story. Children were expected to come up with their own questions about why this night was different from others. Only if they didn’t was the leader to prompt them with the ma nishtanah—which in that era consisted of only three questions. Over the centuries, the Seder lost these spontaneous moments that were so important to the rabbis’ original vision. No one knows exactly when the first Haggadah was written—manuscripts dating from the 10th or 11th century have been found. Based on the Mishnah, the Talmud, writings of the leaders of the Jewish communities in Babylonia, and later additions from medieval Europe, the text of the Haggadah eventually became fixed. Fortunately, the Seder has begun to regain its freshness and vitality, creating new opportunities to enrich Passover for both children and adults. As the Haggadah says, “All who elaborate on the story of the Exodus deserve praise!”—David Arnow, author of Creating Lively Passover Seders: A Sourcebook of Engaging Tales, Texts & Activities and co-editor, My People’s Passover Haggadah: Traditional Texts, Modern Commentaries.

moment/images courtesy of Hebrew Union College from its online
Illuminated Haggadah Exhibit at huc.edu/libraries/exhibits/haggadah/klau.html