Holidays

The Four Cups: Women of Jewish History | Ritual Component

While the four cups are central to the traditional haggadah, they are in many ways a symbol ready to be imbued with additional meanings. Many feminist seders connect the four cups to women in Jewish history. These readings link each of God's four promises to specific women in Jewish history.

The First Cup: In Honor of The Named and Unnamed Jewish Women of the Past | Ritual Component

By Marsha Weil Schiffman

A reading for the first cup of the Passover seder honoring Jewish women in history.

Second Cup: Women of Jewish History | Ritual Component

By Susan Gellman

The second cup of the Passover seder used here to honor Jewish women in history.

The Third Cup: Contemporary Women of Valor | Ritual Component

By Rochelle Millen, PhD

A cup for the women of valor in our own time.

The Fourth Cup: Women Unnamed | Ritual Component

By Elaine Tenenbaum

A cup for nameless women in Jewish history.

The Fourth Cup: Women in Every Generation | Ritual Component

By Elaine Tenenbaum

A cup to honor the women of our own families.

Biographies for the Four Cups | Article

These biographical sketches, listed in alphabetical order, are taken from The Journey Continues: The Ma'yan Passover Haggadah and can be used as readings for the four cups.