Maggid I
Arrival in Egypt
Jacob and his children had arrived in Egypt to be close Joseph; he was second in command to King Pharaoh, and, with his ingenuity, had saved the people of Egypt (and by extension those from neighboring countries) from death by famine. Jacob and his children were settled in the city of Goshen and prospered wonderfully—their numbers grew and grew.
As long as Jacob's sons were alive, the Children of Israel were accorded honor and respect.
After the passing of Joseph, "There arose a new king in Egypt who knew not Joseph”—(some commentaries say, chose not to know Joseph)—“And he said to his people. 'Behold the Children of Israel are more and mightier than we. Come, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply...'"(Exodus 1:8-10).
Enslavement
The Egyptians' respond to this "Jewish Problem" by enslaving the Jews. They forced the Jews into backbreaking labor, compelled them to build cities of treasure houses for Pharaoh. Still, the Jews continued to multiply. To put a stop to this, Pharaoh summoned the Jewish midwives, Shifra and Puah, and commanded them to kill all Jewish newborn males. When the midwives defied his order, he commanded that they cast all the newborn males into the Nile.
Moses' Birth
Jocheved, the wife of the Levite Amram, gave birth to a son. Because he was born three months early, she was able to conceal him for some time. When she could no longer hide him, she built a cradle and put her child on the brink of the Nile. The child's sister, Miriam, hid among the brush to watch and ensure his safety.
Pharaoh's daughter came to bathe in the river and saw the floating cradle. When she opened it and saw the weeping baby, she realized that this is a Jewish child, but her compassion was aroused and she resolved to take the baby home. She named him Moses (“he who was drawn from the water”).
Miriam approached the princess and offered to find a wet-nurse for the baby. When Pharaoh's daughter accepted, Miriam brought her Jocheved, whom Pharaoh's daughter hired to nurse and care for the child. When Moses grew older, he is returned to the palace, where Pharaoh's daughter raised him like a son.
Once it happened that Moses was playing on King Pharaoh's lap. He saw the shining crown, studded with jewels, and reached for it and took it off.
Pharaoh, who was always afraid of losing his throne, asked his astrologers and counselors the meaning of this action of the infant.
Most of them interpreted it to mean that Moses was a threat to Pharaoh's crown and suggested that the child be put to death before he could do any harm. One of the king's counselors, however, suggested that they should first test the boy and see whether his action was prompted by intelligence, or he was merely grasping for sparkling things as any other child would.
Pharaoh agreed to this, and two bowls were set before young Moses. One contained gold and jewels, and the other held glowing coals. Moses reached out for the gold, but an angel directed his hand to the coals.
Moses snatched a glowing coal and put it to his lips.
He burned his tongue, but his life was saved. After that fateful test, Moses suffered from a slight speech defect. He could not become an orator, but his words were to carry weight with all, for it was G‑d's words that were spoken through his lips.
Moses Is Appointed Leader
As a young man, Moses began to explore the city beyond the palace and discovered the hardship of his brethren. One day, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. In defense, he attacked and killed the Egyptian. As a result, he was forced to flee to Midian. There he met Jethro, a Shepard, and ultimately married one of his daughters—Zipporah, becoming a shepherd of his father-in-law's flocks.
One day, as Moses was shepherding his flock, he came upon a burning bush, in which G‑d appeared to him. “Moses”, the bush called to him,
“Here I am,” Moses responded, like Abraham before him.
The voice instructed him to go to Pharaoh and demand the liberation of his people. Moses objected, believing his speech defect would make him a poor leader. “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” But G-d insisted, reminding him of his birth brother, Aaron.
In this, he reconnected the two brothers after many years. appointing Aaron to serve as a spokesperson for Moses.
Moses returned to Egypt ad his lost brother Aaron. Together, they assembled the elders of Israel to tell them of their redemption. . The people believed.
Pharaoh was not so receptive. He resented Moses’ call for freedom, refusing and even intensifying their labor.
Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?
Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world
Have an idea
for a clip?
People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip
Support Us
with your donation
Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.
OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS
Esther Kustanowitz
4 Haggadahs • 44 Clips
JQ International
1 Haggadah • 40 Clips
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
5 Haggadahs • 109 Clips
18Doors
1 Haggadah • 13 Clips
JewishBoston
1 Haggadah • 78 Clips
Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
1 Haggadah • 36 Clips
American Jewish World Service
1 Haggadah • 44 Clips
JewBelong
3 Haggadahs • 57 Clips
Repair the World
12 Clips
HIAS
5 Haggadahs • 48 Clips
Be'chol Lashon
2 Haggadahs • 27 Clips
PJ Library
1 Haggadah • 17 Clips
Jewish World Watch
3 Haggadahs • 42 Clips
Secular Synagogue
10 Clips
SVIVAH
1 Haggadah • 9 Clips
The Blue Dove Foundation
20 Clips
ReformJudaism.org
24 Clips
Jewish Emergent Network
1 Haggadah • 22 ClipsPassover Guide
Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.
