๐ท ALL ABOUT THE FOUR CUPS OF WINE
๐ย WHY DO WE DRINK FOUR CUPS?
During the Pesach Seder, we drink four cups of wine ๐ท๐ท๐ท๐ท (or grape juice ๐ง).
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 ๐โจ.
In ancient times, nobles and aristocrats would celebrate special occasions by reclining at the table and drinking wine generously ๐ท.
In fact, they would drink wine four times during these festive meals:
๐ท The first cup was taken before sitting down at the table, like at the reception of a celebration ๐
๐ท The second cup was drunk just before beginning the meal ๐ฝ
๐ท The third cup was taken at the end of the meal ๐ด
๐ท And the fourth cup was enjoyed during dessert, at the end of the evening ๐ฐ
๐ This is the same structure we follow for the four cups during the Seder.
๐ทย THE FOUR CUPS IN THE SEDER
๐ท The first cup is drunk at Kiddush โ when the Seder begins.
๐ The second cup is drunk at the end of the Haggadah, just before the meal begins.
๐ฝ The third cup is drunk after the meal, following Birkat HaMazon โ the blessing after eating.
๐ถ The fourth cup is drunk during Hallel, after the afikoman (the โdessertโ of the Seder).
๐ท๐ย THE FOUR CUPS SHOULD BE DRUNK
WHILE RECLINING ON THE LEFT SIDE
๐ย WHAT DO THE FOUR CUPS REPRESENT?
The Torah uses four expressions of redemption to describe the Exodus from Egypt.
HaShem says:
โก๏ธ โI will take you outโ of Egypt
๐ โI will save youโ from slavery
๐ช โI will redeem youโ with great miracles
๐ค โI will take you as My peopleโ
Each cup reminds us, step by step, how HaShem led the people of Israel from slavery to freedom โจ.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งย WHO DRINKS THE FOUR CUPS?
At the Seder, everyone drinks the four cups ๐ท
๐จ Adults drink wine
๐ง Children or minors drink grape juice ๐ง
From ancient times, even those who could not afford wine were provided with wineโor money from community fundsโso they too could have four cups at the Seder.
This ensures that everyone at the table celebrates freedom together ๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆโจ
So that no one feels excludedโand everyone can experience what it means to be truly free and dignified ๐