Powerful Spiritual Secrets of the Seder Night: Prayer, Faith, and Divine Blessing

A Special Time to Pray for Livelihood
Throughout the days of Passover in general, and especially on the night of the Seder, prayer for livelihood is considered especially powerful. The source for this is found in Tractate Rosh Hashanah, where it states that “on Passover the world is judged regarding grain.”

A hint to praying for sustenance on Passover appears in the words of our sages: “May my sustenance be as bitter as an olive’s measure,” teaching that one should pray for livelihood while eating the required olive’s measure of maror.

An Auspicious Time to Pray for Redemption
The Seder night is a time of salvation. In the Haggadah we say, “And we cried out to Hashem,” emphasizing that redemption came through heartfelt prayer. The Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch once said that many people think we are different from the generation that left Egypt because we do not have Moshe to redeem us. But this is not true. The Jewish people merited redemption only because they cried out, and so too today, if we fulfill “and we cried out,” we will be redeemed from all troubles and merit the coming of Mashiach.

Why Is Moshe Rabbeinu Not Mentioned in the Haggadah?
The author of Shefa Chaim explains that Moshe’s name is intentionally absent from the Haggadah to teach that redemption does not depend on a great leader alone. Rather, heartfelt prayer and crying out to God bring redemption, just as it did in Egypt, as it says, “Their cry ascended to God.”

A Time to Strengthen Faith and Inner Calm
On the Seder night, the light of faith shines in Jewish hearts. The hidden nature of the world, which resembles darkness, becomes illuminated, granting every person assistance to strengthen trust in God. When a person internalizes pure faith that the Creator did, does, and will do all things, they can live with inner peace and confidence.

A Powerful Time to Plant Faith in Children
The Ohev Yisrael writes that although we are commanded to remember the Exodus all year, sometimes the message does not settle in a child’s heart. On the night of Passover, however, a great spiritual light awakens within them, enabling faith to take root deeply. At this time, a parent has special power to instill enduring belief in their children, and everyone can achieve deeper understanding than during the rest of the year.

Why Do Some Wear a Kittel (white robe) on the Seder Night?
In the name of the Chatam Sofer it is explained that on this night every father is obligated to transmit the miracles of God to his children. Wearing a white kittel, resembling burial garments, reminds a person of life’s purpose and urgency. It encourages them to build future generations grounded in simple faith and to pass on the wonders of God with sincerity.

The Divine Presence Comes to Hear the Story of the Exodus
The Zohar teaches that on this night the light shines like midday in the height of summer, and throughout all generations God illuminates us on this night. It further states that the Holy One, together with the heavenly entourage, descends to hear the Jewish people recount the Exodus. A person sits in their home before the King of Kings, and the Divine Presence rests above them.

It is told that Rabbi Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz once said before the Seder, “May we merit the Divine Presence tonight.” Rabbi Shmuel Wosner responded that the Divine Presence certainly comes, as the Zohar explains, but we must pray that it remain with us afterward and not depart.

Abundant Spiritual Flow on the Seder Night
The spiritual illumination and abundance that flow on this night are beyond measure. The Midrash teaches that God turns His attention toward performing miracles for Israel on this night.

All Gates of Blessing Open on the Seder Night
Targum Yonatan explains that on the great night of the fourteenth of Nisan, the heavenly treasuries open. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer similarly teaches that all channels of blessing are opened on the Seder night.

A Night of Miracles Throughout History
Throughout history many miracles occurred on this night: Avraham defeated the kings, the army of Sennacheriv was struck, Sarah was redeemed from Avimelech, Lavan was warned in a dream, Yaakov prevailed over the angel, the Egyptian firstborn died, Yael defeated Sisera, and many other wonders described in the piyut “Az Rov Nissim.”

Creation Is Elevated Beyond Nature
On this night all creation rises above the ordinary laws of nature. Therefore, each person has the opportunity to change their spiritual fortune for the better.

Preparation Is Needed to Receive the Light
The author of Avodat Yisrael explains that just as a person must open their windows to enjoy sunlight, so too must one prepare spiritually in advance to receive the great light that shines on the Seder night.

Great Spiritual Activity Occurs Above
The Tiferet Shlomo writes about the countless spiritual actions and heavenly unifications that take place through the Jewish people during the Seder through eating matzah and maror and recounting the Exodus. When Israel neglects this service, it causes upheaval in the spiritual worlds, demonstrating the immense importance of the night.

The Power to Transform Decrees
In the Haggadah with the commentary Gevurot Yisrael from the Maggid of Kozhnitz, it is written that every person must see themselves as if they personally left Egypt. Each Seder night reveals this power anew, enabling the transformation of negative decrees into good.

Prayer on the Seder Night Can Change One’s Destiny
The Maggid of Greiditz spoke passionately about the holiness of the Seder night and its potential to bring miracles. Even someone born under difficult circumstances regarding children, health, or finances can pray on this night and influence their destiny for the better.