🍇 WHY DO WE DRINK FOUR CUPS?
During the Pesach Seder, we drink four cups of wine 🍷🍷🍷🍷 (or grape juice 🧃).
The Mishnah teaches that on the night of the Seder we should act as if we ourselves left Egypt. In other words, we behave like free and noble people 🛋✨.
In ancient times, nobles and aristocrats would celebrate special occasions by reclining at the table and drinking wine generously 🍷.
In fact, they would drink wine four times during these festive meals:
🍷 The first cup was taken before sitting down at the table, like at the reception of a celebration 🎉
🍷 The second cup was drunk just before beginning the meal 🍽
🍷 The third cup was taken at the end of the meal 🍴
🍷 And the fourth cup was enjoyed during dessert, at the end of the evening 🍰
👉 This is the same structure we follow for the four cups during the Seder.
🍷 THE FOUR CUPS IN THE SEDER
🍷 The first cup is drunk at Kiddush — when the Seder begins.
📖 The second cup is drunk at the end of the Haggadah, just before the meal begins.
🍽 The third cup is drunk after the meal, following Birkat HaMazon — the blessing after eating.
🎶 The fourth cup is drunk during Hallel, after the afikoman (the “dessert” of the Seder).
🍷🛋 THE FOUR CUPS SHOULD BE DRUNK
WHILE RECLINING ON THE LEFT SIDE
📜 WHAT DO THE FOUR CUPS REPRESENT?
The Torah uses four expressions of redemption to describe the Exodus from Egypt.
HaShem says:
➡️ “I will take you out” of Egypt
🔓 “I will save you” from slavery
💪 “I will redeem you” with great miracles
🤝 “I will take you as My people”
Each cup reminds us, step by step, how HaShem led the people of Israel from slavery to freedom ✨.
👨👩👧 WHO DRINKS THE FOUR CUPS?
At the Seder, everyone drinks the four cups 🍷
👨 Adults drink wine
🧒 Children or minors drink grape juice 🧃
From ancient times, even those who could not afford wine were provided with wine—or money from community funds—so they too could have four cups at the Seder.
This ensures that everyone at the table celebrates freedom together 👨👩👧👦✨
So that no one feels excluded—and everyone can experience what it means to be truly free and dignified 🎉
