This is a compilation of selections from rabbinic literature relating to the seder, combined
with my own comments and thoughts, as well as the comments and thoughts of some of my teachers. Later sources are added where appropriate. The selections follow the order of our Haggadah, and not necessarily the order in which these texts appear. All texts are translated and I have added some commentary and questions.
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Note: The PDF and dagesh document was last edited on 3/24/02.
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Various correction of text and addition of several comments per proofread by Marshall Shwartz (Thank you!).
Discussion of the absense of a source for a mah nishtana question.
In mah nishtana section, the section on "Even if We Were All Scholars" has an added
piece that may challenge the idea that the adult/leader of the seder is the one who asks the
questions. Because of this change, I have reversed the order of the subsection "Even if
We Were All Scholars" with the section titled "The Different Sets of Questions".
In the section on the wicked son in the Jerusalem Talmud, I have added a comment on
the interpolation of the question that happens within the text.
Addition of additional text of Mechilta referencing wicked son.
Changed translation of response to the wicked son. In accordance with how it
appears in our haggadah, I accidentally translated the explanation of the response to the
wicked son as "li ve'lo lo- for me and not for him." The actual text of the mechilta reads "li velo lecha for me and not for you." I have also added a note about this difference of wording.
Change of title section on finishing eating at midnight to indicate Maimonides'
disagreement.
Added Acknowledgements
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