Why is this Seder different from all other Seders? At all other Seders we read from the Haggadah, say prayers, drink 4 cups of wine, eat special foods, slurp Matzah Ball Soup, feast on dinner, treat ourselves to dessert(s), search for the Afikomen, and hopefully find a way to finish reading from the Haggadah. Why should this Seder be any different?
Have you ever wondered why we follow this custom? Sure, in the Torah we are commanded to observe this Festival of Pesach (Passover) in order to remember our Exodus from Egyptian slavery. But where does it say that we should observe the practices described in the above paragraph?
Perhaps the answer to this last question is to be found in the Haggadah itself. A poignant passage of the Seder service, one which to many of us is central and fundamental to the commandment for the observance of Passover, states: “In every generation each of us must look upon ourselves as if we personally had been freed from the bondage of Egypt.” Thus the Seder ritual takes on an intensely personal and contemporary character. While remaining a holiday of Jewish national remembrance invoking the birth of Israel’s peoplehood and celebrating the passage from oppression to independence, it admonishes every Jew to seek the parallel in his/her own time and his/her own life to subjugation and redemption.
How can we, as individual family members, accomplish this? How can we make this celebration more meaningful for ourselves, our children, our guests? Of course, there are numerous ways to begin. In many editions of the Haggadah, you may find added commentary and other readings. Perhaps during your Seder, you could open for discussion one of the added thoughts. Wouldn’t your children enjoy being able to add to a discussion, rather than sitting through numerous readings and waiting for their turn to lead?
Perhaps before planning your meal, you, your guests, your children, might go on-line to find new recipes for other foods appropriate for Passover. Do your children understand why some foods are allowed, and some not? Do you? Perhaps your child(ren) could prepare (or help to prepare) this dish for the festive meal, and open (or participate in) a discussion on its’ significance.
Obviously there are many more ways to personalize your Seder. Please let me know what ideas you create.
My family and I wish all of you a wonderful Passover!
B’Shirah,
Cantor Barbara G. Margulis
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