Why do we read the paragraph “Arami Oved Avi…—Ann Aramean tried to destroy my father,” (Devarim 15:5-8) at the Seder? Wasn’t it supposed to be said when bringing Bikkurim, our first fruits, to the Beit Hamikdash? There are many other descriptions of leaving Egypt in the Torah and Tanakh. Why specifically this one?

Rabbi Meir Lichtenstein, rabbi of Ohel Yonah Menachem in Beit Shemesh and Ra”m at Orot Shaul, suggests that this paragraph defines the very essence of Jewish history. Despite the oppression experienced by the Jewish people from their inception, first by Lavan the Aramean, then by the hands of the Egyptians, we prayed to God and our prayers were answered. God redeemed us from Egypt demonstrating His Yad HaChazaka, strong “Hand,” through the miracles He performed. There may be other descriptions of Yetziat Mitzrayim— the Exodus— but only this paragraph succinctly distills everything that we need to know.

But why choose only four verses as the central story? The word Seder literally means order, but that doesn’t mean rigidity. We begin with a core story, and then we build it up. Seder Night is meant to tell our history— how God took us out of Egypt— to every man woman and child, no matter their age or sophistication. By constructing a multilayered narrative and making sure to target each and every audience during the Seder,we can all truly feel a part of our nation, part of our people, and part of our story and relive it each year.

When thinking about what to do and say at your Seders this year make sure to organize your thoughts. Think of how to reach each and every person who will be there. And if there is someone you know who will not have their own Seder, don’t forget to reach out to them and invite them to yours.

Rabbi Metzger is the director of Night Seder at Midreshet Amudim, an educator worldwide through the Lookstein Center’s Virtual Academy, and a teacher at Orot Etzion in Efrat.