The Cup of Elijah and The Cup of Miriam

At a Seder meal the food and objects at the meal have specific and intended meanings. The cup of Elijah is placed at an empty seat for Elijah. Elijiah is the first sign of the Messiah coming. The cup is recognized at the end of the meal. The family opens the door and they recite a few psalms. The idea is that God will pour his grace upon the prisoners and oppressors. At modern day Seder meals families might have a cup of Elijah and a cup of Miriam. Miriam was Moses’ sister who is also known as a prophet. Miriam’s cup emerged as a way to honor women at the Seder meal. Miriam is never mentioned in the traditional Haggadah text but she is very central to the Exodus story, which the Seder meal is centered around. The cups themselves are very pretty and artistically made. They look like something that I would have sitting around as a decorate because of the intricate look to it. The meaning of the cups make them so much more special to me, even as someone who is not Jewish and who does not know much about Judaism.

I recently experienced my first Seder meal and I felt totally comfortable. The Haggadah we used was very self-explanatory and I understood why most things were being said or used. Having a ritual meal where we as a class (of all different religious backgrounds) could come together and experience the sacredness of the ritual was very refreshing.

Miriam’s cup is very important to me because it brings to light the struggles of the woman in the story of the Exodus too. Woman tend to be overlooked in religion especially in the olden days. Miriam’s Cup is an example of something ritualistic that can be used or not depending on the family’s ideals.