Haggadah Yehi Ohr: Let There Be Light!

The Passover Haggadah is a microcosm of Jewish history and Jewish theology. In remembering the Exodus from Egypt, we retell the story of a God who loves and cares, and of our people's commitment to partner with God to better ourselves and the world.

In this new original commentary, Rav Avi unlocks the structure of the Haggadah, from its recounting of the past redemption from Egypt to its final hope of future redemption. Yehi Ohr balances complex theological issues with accessible and clear insight, woven in with first-hand anecdotes from Rav Avi's experiences as an activist, leader, and teacher.

As we turn to the pages of the Haggadah to recall our oppression in and liberation from Egypt, our prayers and conversations around the Seder table will be under the acute and painful shadow of the trauma of Shabbat Simchat Torah October 7, 2023.

On that day of barbaric savagery, we began reading the Torah again. The opening sentences depict a world of utter darkness - much like the darkness of 10/7. In response to that total darkness, God commands, "Yehi Ohr" - "Let there be light." Today, more than ever, we need that promise illuminating our path ahead.