Second Cup of Wine
. בָּרוּךְ אַ תָּ ה יְהוָּה אֱלֹהֵ ינוּ מֶ לֶ ךְ הָּ עוֹלָּ ם , בוֹרֵ א פְרִ י הַ גֶפֶ ן Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha ’ olam , bo ’ re p ’ ri hagafen .
Blessed are You , Lord , our God , Ruler of the universe , Who creates the fruit of the vine .
Reflection
A strange appetizer awaits us : the maror , the bitter vegetable . A sharp reminder that the matzah of freedom Often needs roots of bitterness from which to sprout . Many here have personally known the bitterness of pain , of disappointment , of loss . If we have been fortunate , We have learned from our pain , Matured through our disappointment , And compensated for our loss Through a new awareness of our own strength . Bitterness , we have learned , Can be transformed into a blessing . And that is why we offer a blessing when we eat the bitter herb : “ We thank you , Source of all existence , For the understanding and compassion that can be released When we eat the fruit of bitterness .”
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