(2.) The second form of the answer begins, ‏מתחלה עבדי עבודה זרה היו אבתינו‎ “Our forefathers were at first worshippers of idols,” and ends, ‏מצילנו מידם‎ “delivers us out of their hand.” Here the exodus from Egypt is described as the fulfilment of the promise made by God to Abraham, that his descendants would be delivered out of the hands of their oppressors. (3.) The passage from Deut. xxvi. 5–8 is recited with its Midrashic interpretations, [113] and in conclusion all the benefits received by the Israelites from the departure from Egypt till the building of the Temple are enumerated, and our duty of gratitude is shown. In all these three forms no notice has been taken of the particular questions. Rabban Gamaliel insists that this should be done, and a section is therefore added, containing the explanation why the Passover-offering, the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs were to be eaten; this, like the three other sections, concludes with the emphatic declaration that we—after so many generations—are still bound to praise and to thank God for the benefits bestowed upon our nation so long ago. Hereupon follows the Hallel, of which the first two paragraphs, containing special reference to the departure from Egypt, are sung before supper; the first part of the Seder-Service concludes with a blessing, in which we praise God for our past deliverance and pray for the approach of our future redemption. 6. ‏רחץ‎ “Washing.” All those who partake of the meal wash their hands, as is ordinarily done before meals. 7. ‏מוציא מצה‎. Two pieces of ‏מצה‎ are taken; one piece, broken off the whole cake, representing the bread eaten at ordinary meals for ‏מוציא‎, and the other piece taken from the broken one, representing the ‏מצה‎ we are commanded to eat on the Seder-night. Before eating the two pieces two blessings are recited ‏ברוך … המוציא לחם מן הארץ‎ “Blessed art thou ... who bringest forth bread from the earth,” and ‏ברוך … אשר קדשנו ּּּ על אכילת מצה‎ “Blessed art thou ... who hast sanctified us by Thy commandments and hast commanded us to eat ‏מצה‎.” [114] 8. ‏מרור‎ “Bitter herb.” Bitter herbs dipped in charoseth are eaten, after the following blessing has been recited ‏ברוך … אשר קדשנו … על אכילת מרור‎ “Blessed art thou ... who hast sanctified us by thy commandments and hast commanded us to eat bitter herbs.” 9. ‏כורך‎ “Combining;” scil., unleavened bread and bitter herbs; these are eaten together, just as formerly, in the time of the Temple, Hillel used to eat together meat of the Passover-offering, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs (Exod. xii. 8; Num. ix. 11). 10. ‏שלחן עורך‎ “Table laid.” The evening meal is taken. 11. ‏צפון‎ “Laid aside.” The meal is concluded with a piece of the half matsah that has been laid aside at the beginning of the Service. It is called afikuman, “dessert.” [115] 12. ‏ברך‎ “Say grace.” [116]