Seder night is a highlight of the Jewish calendar for parents and children alike. It is the night that revolves around children, and parents are reminded of the importance of their role as educators. (Thankfully, the Haggada gives them lots of tools and tips!)

Rabbi Sacks explains that on the eve of the original Pesaḥ, at the very moment when a new chapter in the life of the Jewish people began, we found out what it means to be a Jew: “About to gain their freedom, the Israelites were told that they had to become a nation of educators” (A Letter in the Scroll, 34). Being a Jew means being both a student and an educator, and Seder night is our opportunity to focus on both these roles.

This section serves as an educational companion to Seder night and will give you some ideas and thoughts on several of the core pages from the Haggada and how Rabbi Sacks understands them. As well as offering educational insights, like the other sections of this book, this Seder night companion also includes activities, stories, and reflection questions, designed to engage all the participants around your Seder table, young and old alike.

You will notice many extracts from Rabbi Sacks’s writings, all sourced from The Jonathan Sacks Haggada (Koren). This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with a Haggada; it is not a replacement for one.