1,143. Pesach, Matzah and Maror; Hallel part 1

Please be advised than many details of the Seder as described by the Rambam no longer reflect current practice.

Chometz u’Matzah 8:4

The table is returned to before the leader and he says, “This Passover offering that we eat is because God passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt, as per Exodus 12:27: You shall say, ‘It is a Passover offering to God.’” He picks up the maror and says, “This maror that we eat is because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt, as per Exodus 1:14, “they embittered their lives.” He picks up the matzah and says, “This matzah that we eat is because the dough of our ancestors was not able to rise before God revealed Himself to them and redeemed them, as per Exodus 12:39, “they baked the dough that they took out of Egypt into cakes of matzah.” Nowadays, one says, “The Passover offering that our ancestors ate when the Temple was standing, is because God passed over the houses of our ancestors....”

Chometz u’Matzah 8:5

The Seder leader continues, “Therefore, we are obligated to thank, praise, laud, glorify, adore, exalt, magnify and honor the One Who performed all these miracles for us. He took us out from slavery to freedom, from sorrow to joy, from intense darkness to great light. Let us recite praises before Him: Hallelujah!" The first part of Hallel is recited at this point, “Hallelujah! Servants of God, give praise” through “He turns the flint into a stream of water.” He concludes with the bracha that God redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt and has enabled us to reach this night in order to eat matzah and maror. Nowadays, one adds, “Similarly, Hashem, our God and the God of our fathers, enable us to reach other festivals and holidays that will come to us in peace, rejoicing in the rebuilding of Your city and celebrating in Your service. Then, we will eat from the sacrifices and Passover offerings whose blood will be sprinkled on the wall of Your altar to be graciously accepted. Then, we will offer thanks to You with a new song for our redemption and for the deliverance of our souls. Blessed are You, God, Who redeemed Israel.” The leader recites the bracha of hagafen and everyone drinks the second cup of wine.