Why the Haggadah Seems So Disorganized | Unlocking the Haggadah #2 | 2026.03.10

The Passover Haggadah begins in a puzzling way. Before the story of the Exodus even starts, we encounter invitations to strangers, weird foods, and a story about five rabbis whose Seder lasted all night. It can feel random. But it isn’t. These opening moments are carefully designed to create something essential for the Seder: not a reading, but a conversation. The Haggadah wants everyone at the table to participate — to ask questions, challenge ideas, and bring their own voice. That is why the Seder begins by creating an atmosphere of curiosity, comfort, and discussion. The more perspectives at the table — different ages, languages, and levels of knowledge — the richer the experience becomes. Only once everyone becomes a questioner are we ready to begin telling the story of the Exodus. In this series, we uncover the hidden structure of the Haggadah so that every paragraph leads logically to the next—and the entire Seder becomes a thoughtful conversation rather than a confusing collection of texts. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: / @rabbimichaelwhitman Instagram: / adathmichael Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG... Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.