60 | APRIL 14 • 2022 

PASSOVER

F

or those in recovery from 
alcoholism or drug addic-
tion, certain traditions 
can be challenging. On Purim, 
Jews are expected to drink until 
they cannot distinguish between 
wicked Haman and righteous 
Mordechai. On Passover, we are 
instructed to drink four cups of 
wine during the seder. A new 
Haggadah helps recovering 
addicts meet these challenges 
and find new meaning in the tra-
ditional seder. 
The Four Cups: A Recovery 
Haggadah is edited by Rabbi 
Shais Taub, author of the 
Jewish recovery classic G-d of 
Our Understanding, and coor-
dinated by Rabbi Nechemia 
Schusterman, co-direc-
tor of Chabad in Peabody, 
Massachusetts. Using anecdotes 
and personal stories from alco-
holics that Taub collected over 
several years, the Haggadah 
exemplifies the distinct connec-
tion between the exodus from 
Egypt and the journey from 
addiction to freedom. 
“Only a slave can understand 
freedom,
” said Rabbi Benny 
Greenwald, director 
of The Daniel B. 
Sobel Friendship 
House, a program 
of Friendship 
Circle of Michigan. 
“
Addiction is a form 
of enslavement.
”
The Four Cups 
is interspersed with commen-

tary based on the Alcoholics 
Anonymous (AA) “Big Book.
” 
The section on “Searching for 
Chametz (leavened food items)” 
is augmented with remarks 
on “Revealing Our Defects of 
Character,
” part of the personal 
inventory process in Steps 4 and 
5 of the 12 Steps of AA. 
Greenwald explains that 
chametz, such as bread made 
with yeast, represents the ego, 
an inflated view of the self. 
Conversely, matzah is considered 
the bread of faith and healing, a 
symbol of humility. To achieve 
inner freedom, it is necessary to 
remove the “hot air” and fill the 
space with spiritual, not material, 
pursuits.
“Matzah is filling, physically 
and spiritually,
” Greenwald said. 
“Having faith and humility are 
the first steps in leaving ‘Egypt’
.
”
The book provides a recov-
ery-oriented perspective on 
the four sons described in the 
Haggadah — the wise one, the 
wicked one, the simple one and 
the one who does not know how 
to ask. While the traditional text 
outlines the best way to respond 
to each child, The Four Cups adds 
the following explanation:
“When it comes to the child who 
doesn’t know how to ask, we are told 
the parent is supposed to initiate by 
telling them the story of our redemp-
tion.
“We know that there are those 
who still suffer, who aren’t even able 
to reach out for help.

“When we suspect that we are 
talking to such a prospect, we do not 
wait for them to initiate. Rather, we 
tell them the story of our miraculous 
redemption, and we hope that it will 
resonate with them — if not now, 
then perhaps with the passage of 
time.
”
“When we help a newcom-
er, it’s important to recognize 
where they are and tailor our 
answers according to the person,
” 
Greenwald said. 
He takes the allegory a step 
further and describes a fifth 
child, one who does show up for 
the seder. While this child may 
be suffering from alcoholism or 
another form of addiction, we 
should reach out with an offer of 
help and a message of hope. 
“My addiction led to five years 
in prison,
” said Jim.* “Before, 
I couldn’t relate to the story of 
Passover because I never expe-
rienced slavery or persecution. 
Now I know how it feels to be 
a slave to something I couldn’t 
break free of on my own.
”
Taub and Schusterman hope 
the new Haggadah will help 
increase awareness about addic-
tion and reduce the stigma 
attached to the disease and those 
who suffer from it. 
The Four Cups: A Recovery 
Haggadah can be purchased 
at https://fourcups.org/ or at 
Amazon.com. 

*Names have been changed to 
protect anonymity.

A new Haggadah for recovering 
 alcoholics brings a new perspective 
 to the traditional seder.

From Addiction 
to Freedom

Rabbi 
Benny 
Greenwald

RONELLE GRIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Resources:
The Daniel B. Sobel 
Friendship House 
provides support and 
guidance to individuals 
and families struggling 
with addiction, isolation 
and other life crises. 
Contact Rabbi Benny 
Greenwald at benny@
friendshipcircle.org 
or (248) 788-8888, 
ext. 206, or visit www.
friendshipcircle.org/
friendshiphouse/

Alcoholics Anonymous 
S.E. Michigan
(248) 541-6565
www.aa.org

Narcotics Anonymous 
Michigan
(877) 338-1188
www.na.org

Al-Anon, support for 
friends and family 
members of individuals 
struggling with addiction
(248) 888-8586
www.al-anon.org

Overeaters Anonymous
www.oa.org, www.
oagreaterdetroit.org

Gamblers Anonymous
(313) 792-2877
www.gamblersanonymous.
org

Suicide Hotline
(800) 784-2433

Michigan Crisis 24/7 
Helpline
Call or text 844-44MICAL 
(844-446-4225)
Chat is also available. 
at Michigan.gov/MiCAL