Passover Prayers: Master the Important Pesach Blessings

Are you leading the seder and want to brush up on the Passover prayers and blessings you will be in charge of reciting? Or, are you attending a seder for the first time and want to have an idea of what Hebrew will be spoken? Below are the most common Passover seder prayers found in the Haggadah, the Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder and includes the story of the Israelite slaves journey to freedom.

The Essential Passover Blessings

We’ve included the Passover prayers in English and in Hebrew. You don’t have to learn all of these Passover seder prayers, especially if you are a guest simply trying to make a good impression. Since the blessing over the wine is guaranteed to be said more than once, I would definitely take a look at that one.

Order	Blessing Name	English Translation
1	Lighting the Yom Tov Candles	Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who sanctified us with the commandment of lighting the holiday candles.
2	Kiddush (Wine)	Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
3	Shehecheyanu	Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

#1: Lighting the Yom Tov (Holiday) Candles

Before the official start of the seder, it is customary to light two candles in honor of the holiness of the day. בָּרוּךְ אַתַּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיתוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל יוֹם טוֹב. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

#2: Kiddush: Blessing Over the Wine

Hold up the cup in your right hand and recite the blessing over the wine. בָּרוּךְ אַתַּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵיתוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, borei p’ri hagafen. Before you go ahead and drink this first cup, say the Shehecheyanu prayer below.

#3: Shehecheyanu Blessing

We also say the Shehecheyanu blessing to give thanks for this happy moment. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶּה. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, shehecheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh. Once you say the blessing, drink your first cup of wine and refill!

#4: Dipping Parsley Into Salt Water

Take a piece of parsley from the seder table and dip it into the salt water provided. The parsley symbolizes Spring and renewal as Passover always takes place in the Spring and the salt water represents the tears the Israelites shed as slaves. Recite the blessing before eating the vegetable. You’ll notice that the Hebrew for this Passover blessing is the same as the blessing over the wine, except for the last word. Instead of hagafen (vine), you say ha’adamah (earth).

The Shema: A Foundational Prayer

The Shema (Deut. 6:4–5) is the most foundational and beloved prayer in the Jewish faith. The Hebrew word Shema means “to hear,” as in, “Hear O Israel.” The prayer commands us to love the Lord with all that we are. When we pray the Shema, we are declaring that God alone is King, that He alone is worthy of our worship. It’s like a pledge of allegiance to the Lord, who is “one.”

When you pray the Shema, you join with millions of Jewish people worldwide and participate in the chorus whose history goes back to Moses. Not only does hearing cultivate faith, but hearing is also crucial to humility. The decision to genuinely listen to others before we speak for ourselves is a beautiful expression of humility, and God “gives grace to the humble.”