The meal has ended, with the Afikoman as its climax. The third cup of wine is poured. In most communities, each participant then washes his or her fingers (the Vilna Gaon requires washing of the whole hands), in preparation for BARECH, the blessing after meals. This washing, called "Mayim Acharonim" (the later waters, as opposed to the washing before Hamotzi) is actually required after all meals, in order to say the Birkat Hamazon (Grace) with clean hands. According to all classical authorities, this is an absolute requirement. However, already by the ninth century, some communities stopped performing this ritual. Many rabbis endorsed (after the fact) this omission, saying that some of the reasons it was instituted no longer apply. For reasons I am unable to fathom, in other communities men only perform this ritual. I hope to write a full post about Birkat Hamazon at a later date. It is the only blessing that is Biblically mandated. (Deuteronomy 8:10 "You shall eat, be satisfied, and bless...") The basic structure that was instituted is four blessings; one for the food, one for the Land, one for Jerusalem, and one added later thanking G-d for His goodness. In most communities, we then recite thanks, and supplicate for various human and Jewish needs. The exact wording differs greatly between communities. There is a running debate in the Talmud, never actually resolved, if the Blessing After Meals requires a cup of wine, as does every joyous ceremony. The practice that became universally accepted is that it is not a requirement, but nevertheless a very good thing to do. Especially when there is a communal, celebratory meal, it is usually done.The Sages instituted at the Seder that we each use a cup of wine (as opposed to other occasions, when only the person leading the Grace holds a cup) as one of the required four cups. Since the grace separates this drinking from our earlier blessing over wine, the blessing is now again said in all communities. We drink the cup leaning to our left. Kabbalists will meditate on the letter "Vav", the third letter of the Divine name, as we drink the wine. We are almost ready for HALLEL, Psalms of Praise. We fill the fourth cup.In nearly all communities, an additional cup is then filled, called the Cup of Elijah. As we celebrate our deliverance from ancient Egypt, we anticipate our future deliverance. The Prophet Malachi (4:5) informs us that Mashiach will be proceeded by the reappearance of Elijah. Besides all of the other tasks to be performed by him, Elijah is seen as answering all unanswered questions. There is a debate in Talmud and later sources, if the actual requirement is four cups or five (to be discussed in my next post). Certain Yemenites drink five. In most communities, however, we drink four, leaving an additional cup for Elijah, waiting for him to come and resolve the dispute.This was a medieval Ashkenazic custom, that became almost universal. However, it came to symbolize much more. In the face of almost constant persecution, especially at Passover time, when peasants would be incited by Christian clergy to attack the Jews, (in vengeance for the death of Jesus), Jews awaited deliverance, to be announced by Elijah. Ashkenazi Jews actually "open the door for Elijah" at this point in the Seder, showing faith and courage. Children are sometimes told that Elijah visits each home, and drinks some of the wine.. so watch closely. As there is no source for this belief, i never told this to my kids, as there is enough Truth in the seder without need for any deception. At the moment of the greatest threat to our very existence, the Jew peers into the darkness with hope