Haggadah Structure

The 157th mitzvah is that we are commanded to tell about the Exodus from Egypt on the beginning of the night of the 15th686 of Nissan — with all the eloquence at our command. Praiseworthy is the person who gives lengthy discussion and description to the subject: how the Egyptians sinned against us, and what they subjected us to; how G‑d took revenge upon them; thanking G‑d (exalted be He) for all the kindness he has bestowed upon us. This is as the Sages said, "Everyone who discusses the Exodus from Egypt at length is praiseworthy."...

(3) Although the precept to wear fringes is not incumbent at night, still the section concerning this precept is recited at night, because it mentions the departure from Egypt, which it is a duty to recall by day and at night, as it is said, "that thou mayest remember the day of thy going forth from the land of Egypt all the days of thy life" (Deuteronomy 16:3). The reading of these three sections in this order is termed "The reading of the Shema."

MISHNA: Rabban Gamliel would say: Anyone who did not say these three matters on Passover has not fulfilled his obligation: The Paschal lamb, matza, and bitter herbs. When one mentions these matters, he must elaborate and explain them: The Paschal lamb is brought because the Omnipresent passed over [pasaḥ] the houses of our forefathers in Egypt, as it is stated: “That you shall say: It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Paschal offering for He passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses” (Exodus 12:27).

(1) According to a biblical positive command, we must tell on the night preceding the fifteenth day of Nisan all about the miracles and wonders that were performed for our forefathers in Egypt.— — Even great scholars are required to tell about the exodus from Egypt. Anyone who relates at length about the events that occurred deserves praise.

(2) It is a commandment to inform the children even if they ask no questions, as it is written: "You shall tell your son" (Exodus 13:8). The father should instruct his son according to the child's understanding. For example, he should say to one small or foolish: "My son, all of us were slaves in Egypt, like this maidservant or like this manservant, and on this night God redeemed and liberated us." If the son is grown up and intelligent, he should inform him about everything that happened to us in Egypt, and about the miracles that were wrought for us by our teacher Moses; all in accordance with the son's understanding.

(3) He must make changes on the first night of Pesaḥ, so that the children who will notice it may ask, saying: "Why is this night different from all other nights?" And he in turn will reply: "This is what happened." In what manner, for example, should he introduce a change? He may distribute parched grain or nuts to the children; remove the table from its usual place; snatch the unleavened bread from hand to hand, and so on. If he has no son, his wife should ask the questions; if he has no wife, they should ask one another: "Why is this night different?"—even if they are all scholars. If one is alone, he should ask himself: "Why is this night different?"

(4) One must begin [the narrative describing our ancestors'] base [roots] and conclude with [their] praise. How? Start by telling that in the beginning our ancestors, in the days of Terach and before him, were heretics and they followed foolishness, and they chased after idol worship. And finish with the truth that God brought us close to Him and set us apart from the nations and brought us close to His oneness. And thus start with telling that we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt and all of the bad things that he did to us and finish with the miracles and wonders that were done for us in our freedom. And that's why you drash from (Deut 26:5) 'My father was a wandering Aramean...' through that whole section. And anybody who adds and lengthens the drash of this section, that is praiseworthy.

(5) Anybody who does not say these three things on the night of the 15th has not fulfilled his obligation, and these are them: Pesach, matzah, and marror. Pesach because The Place passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt as it is said (Exodus 12:27) "And you shall say 'This is a Pesach offering for God'" Maror necause the Egyptians embitered (mer'ru) the lives of our ancestors in Egypt. Matzah because we were redeemed. And all of these things are called 'Hagadah'

(6) In each and every generation, a man is obligated to show himself as though he himself went out now from the slavery of Egypt as it is said (Deuteronomy 6:23) "And He took us out of there, etc." and on account of this thing, the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded in the Torah "And you shall remember that you were a slave," that is to say as though you yourself were a slave and you went out to freedom and you were redeemed.

(7) Therefore, when a man has his meal on this night, he must eat and drink while reclining in a manner of freedom. And each and every man and woman is obligated to drink on this night four cups of wine. You can't have less than that. And even a poor person who is provided for with tzedakah can't have less than four cups. And the measure of each of these cups is a revi'it.