Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VIII
We sing this final paragraph of the Hallel as if we too are marching out of Egypt into a future of Infinite Possibility; a song of Fifteen Steps corresponding to the Fifteen Steps of the Seder, which we take forward with this Hallel:
Step One: Kadeish: Our Actions Have an Eternal Effect
“Give thanks to God Who is good, for His kindness is forever!
Let Israel declare that His Kindness is forever!
Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is forever!
Let those who are in awe of God declare that His kindness if forever!
Step Two: Urchatz: Washing Before Prayer
I called to the Creator of Heaven and Earth from a tight spot, and He answered me broadly.
Step Three: Karpas: Joseph’s Bitachon
God is with me, I have no fear; what can people do to me? God is with me to help me, so I can confront my enemies.
Step Four: Yachatz: An Unknown Future
It is better to depend in God than to trust people. It is better to depend on God than to trust people in power. All the nations surrounded me but I survived them in God’s Name.
Step Five: Maggid: Our Story of Trouble & Being Saved
They surrounded and encircled me but I survived them in God’s Name. Though they surrounded me like a swarm of bees, they were snuffed out like burnt thorns.
Step Six: Rachtza: I Wash My Hands After I Fall
I survived them in God’s Name. I was pushed to fall but God helped me.
Step Seven: Motzi: As God Fed Us In Eden
The Creator of Heaven and Earth is my Help and my Hammer, and became my Savior.
Song and victory sound in the tents of the just.
Step Eight: Matzah: The Bread of Affliction Becomes the Bread of Freedom
God’s Hand makes victory. God’s Hand is supreme.
Step Nine: Marror: Surviving the Bitterness
God’s Hand makes victory! I will not die but live, and tell of the doings of the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Step Ten: Koreich: The Sweetening of Affliction
The Creator afflicted me to direct me but did not destroy me.
Step Eleven: Shulchan Orech: Eating As Spiritual Growth
Open the gates of justice for me, I will enter and thank the Creator.
Step Twelve: Tzafun: The Hidden is Revealed
This is the gate to God, the just may enter here.
Step Thirteen: Bareich: Acknowledgement of a Life of Blessing
I thank You for answering me, You became my salvation. The stone rejected by the builders became the cornerstone. This happened because of God; it is wondrous in our eyes.
Step Fourteen: Hallel: The Song of the Future
This is the day God made; let us sing and be happy with it. Please God; Save us! Please God; Make us successful! Bless those who come in God’s Name; we bless you from God’s House. God is The Power and gave us Light. Wave your holiday branches up to the corners of the altar. You are my Power and I thank You, My Lord and I will exalt You.
Step Fifteen: Nirtzah: Our Service is Accepted
Give thanks to God Who is good, for His kindness is forever!”