This is an archive of prayers, songs, and other individual works relevant to the eleventh course of the seder for Pesaḥ (Passover): Barekh, containing the Birkat haMazon, the pouring of the cup for the psychopomp of Moshiaḥ, and the ritual opening of the door on Passover accompanied by the statement, "Sh'fokh Ḥamatkha." Click here to contribute a work or a transcription and translation of a historical work that you have prepared for Barekh in the Seder Pesaḥ. Filter resources by Name Filter resources by Tag Filter resources by Category Filter resources by Language Filter resources by Date Range
This is a poetic Birkat haMazon for Pesaḥ, from the Cairo Geniza (CUL T-S H11.88 1v). Much thanks to the work of Dr. Avi Shmidman, whose 2009 doctoral thesis is the foundational work for poetic Birkat haMazon studies. He marks it as Piyyut 64, and his Hebrew-language commentary begins on page 394 of his work. I’ve included two translations of the poetic portions — one literal and one preserving the acrostic and rhyme scheme. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
This prayer, entitled “[Prayer for] Unity,” was published in The Jewish Peace Book for Home and School (1932) under “Section III: Peace Devotions for Jewish Use — Prayers for Peace” on page 100. Following the prayer, Rabbi Cronbach notes the prayer is “from Peace Service, compiled by [the] National Council for the Prevention of War (NCPW).” The prayer reads to me as alternative formulation of the prayer Shfokh Ḥamatkha offered at the traditional pouring of Elijah’s cup before the Pesaḥ seder’s Hallel service. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
A paraliturgical adaptation of the prayer/curse, “Shfokh Ḥamatekha,” this prayer, likely written during, or just after the Holocaust, recognizes those nations and righteous gentiles who fought and risked their lives to aid and rescue European Jewry. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
We lift Miriam’s cup,
Dancing prophet celebrating the world that is now.
And we tell God we are grateful
For the water from the earth that was Miriam’s gift,
Welcome necessity,
On God’s behalf.
Miriam announces joy!
And teaches us to save ourselves.
Miriam, the bringer of mercy,
There’s no prayer for her in the haggadah—
So make one up! Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
A haggadah supplement for suicide awareness and prevention offered at the Passover seder where Elijah the prophet is directly referenced, and the valence of personal and communal despair and distress are explicitly invoked. Categories: Tags: 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., community support, אליהו הנביא Eliyahu haNavi, haggadah supplements, Needing Vocalization, North America, Psychopomp, still small voice, suicide, suicide awareness, suicide prevention Contributor(s):
Rabbi Yosi son of Rabbi Yehuda says: “Three good sustainers arose for Israel. These are they: Moses and Aaron and Miriam. And three good gifts were given because of them, and these are they: well, and cloud, and manna. The well was given in merit of Miriam… Miriam died and the well ceased, as it is written (Numbers 20:1-2) “And Miriam died there,” and it says right afterwards “and there was no water for the community.” Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
Pearl Benisch… remembers Passover in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany in the spring of 1945, just days before her liberation. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
Written on 6 Nisan 5783, 27 March 2023 (after nightfall), in response to the Israeli people’s spontaneous demonstrations against the government’s attempts to amass virtually unchecked power. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s):
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