Can We Begin the Seder Before Sundown?

We have many practices that would be hard to imagine if we were not accustomed to them. The normative practice of our tradition is to begin the Seder after sundown, because our ancestors went out from Egypt at night. Many families find it meaningful to observe that practice and alter their schedules, for example, by napping before the Seder and planning a later start the next morning to help make it possible.

For some of us, starting the Seder after sundown and eating the Seder meal so late is unhealthy or impossible. Fortunately, there are some ways to honor our tradition while allowing for flexibility.  Rabbi Betsy recommends the following adjustments, presented in increasing order of leniency. We hope these suggestions will prove helpful for you.

1. Start as early as you anticipate it will take you to do nearly all of the Maggid (“telling”) section--the 4 Questions, 4 Children, Stories, Midrash, Dayeinu, etc. Cover all of that. Then, at sunset (first day) / sundown (second day), light your yom tov candles, turn back to Kiddush, and begin the formal Seder. When you get to Maggid, cover whatever bit(s) you may not have covered earlier. 

2. As above, but start even earlier, knowing you’ll likely be done with your Seder before nighfall. Sit down and do nearly all of the Maggid (telling) section--the 4 Questions, 4 Children, Stories, Midrash, Dayeinu, etc. Then, turn back to the first cup of wine at the start of the Haggadah. Make the simple brachah of “borei p’ri hagafen” (not the full Kiddush) over a cup of wine or grape juice. Continue with Ur’khatz (the first hand washing) and Karpas. Then, go to the beginning of the Haggadah. Make the simple brachah of “borei p’ri hagafen” (not the full Kiddush) over a cup of wine or grape juice. Continue from there, going through the Haggadah in order, skipping over what you covered earlier. At sunset (first day) / sundown (second day), light your yom tov candles. If your Seder is over at that point, make the full Kiddush over a cup of wine or grape juice.

   If your Seder is still in progress, make that Kiddush, and then keep going wherever you left off. When you get to the fourth cup of wine, you will realize that you have already drunk four cups. Consider any of the following options for what is now your fifth cup: (1) Create and share a meaning for the 5th cup, and enjoy your fifth cup of wine or juice. (2) Instead of “borei p’ri hagafen” at the end, drink a cup of water in honor of Miriam the Prophet, and say the “shehakol nih’yeh bid’varo” brachah. (3) Skip the last cup in the Haggadah, since you’ve already had 4 cups.