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How is the Haggadah used during a Passover seder?

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Circular diagram of the Jewish religious year showing Hebrew months around the outer ring and Gregorian months inside, with major holidays and fasts such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover, and Purim labeled with their dates. — Jewish religious year The months and holidays of the Jewish religious year.

The Haggadah (Hebrew for "telling") is a central book used during the Passover seder to guide participants through the ritual meal and the retelling of the Exodus story.31

The book serves several essential functions during the ceremony:

Structuring the Ritual: It lays out the order of the feast, which typically consists of 14 or 15 distinct parts.21
Recounting the Exodus: It contains the narrative of the Israelites' escape from enslavement in Egypt, providing religious interpretations of the festival's significance.31
Educational Guidance: A primary focus of the seder is teaching children. The Haggadah provides the text for the "Four Questions" (Ma Nishtana), which children ask to understand why the night is different from all others, as well as the story of the four children (wise, wicked, simple, and unknowing).1
Liturgical Content: It records the necessary blessings, prayers, songs—such as "Dayyenu"—and the readings associated with the four cups of wine.21

By following the Haggadah, participants ensure the seder remains an orderly, meaningful, and educational experience.2