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Rehovot Seder to Remember
This year, add a personal touch to your seder
Because Passover commemorates such an important event in Jewish history — the exodus of the Jews from Egypt in ancient times — the Passover seder is far more than just a meal. While it is a welcome the chance to gather with family and friends and talk over a long dinner, it is also important to remember the true meaning of Passover.
Just how to bring that meaning to the seder table can be a difficult question. Many remember seemingly endless seders from childhood, trying to sit still through all the long Haggadah passages, listening to Hebrew they had not yet learned. The pride (and nervousness) of reciting the Four Questions, the anticipation of finding the afikomen, the seder meal itself, and of course the singing at the end of the evening — these things make the seder livelier, but the real purpose of the seder can still be elusive.
There are ways, though, to bring special resonance to the seder as both a religious occasion and a family gathering, by adding personal touches that gave each seder special meaning. One way is to have each person at the seder table read a selected passage from the Haggadah in English. That ensures that everyone — from the kids who are not quite ready to follow the Hebrew to the adults whose Hebrew has become a little rusty — stays involved in the story and the seder experience. (It also serves as a good refresher course for anyone who is faintly fuzzy on the meanings and symbols associated with the holiday.)
Here are some other ways to add significance and emotion to your seder.
Involve the Kids
Kids play an important part in the seder, but to ensure that Passover means more to them than just the present they get for finding the afikomen, try bringing them into the planning. Have your kids help you prepare the seder plate, and make sure they know the meaning of each item on it. Charoset tastes even better when we remember that it represents the mortar our ancestors used in their years of enslavement, and maror goes down easier if we think of it as a symbol of the bitterness of those years.
Honor Memories
Take a moment to remember loved ones whose presence at the seder table is missed. Choose a moment to say a brief word of remembrance. One time to consider is right before you invite Elijah in. This small gesture helps you stay connected to seders past and follows the Jewish tradition of honoring family.
Expand Your Horizons
If your seder meals are the same year after year, maybe this is the year to try something new. Many cookbooks feature Jewish cuisine from all over the globe, including places you might never have thought of. Try a recipe from a far-off land, and do a little research on the Jewish population there. You'll feel a bond with Jews everywhere — especially if the meal is good!
Pick Your Haggadah
Does your family have a Haggadah that's been passed down from generation to generation? That's a mitzvah! Try finding out as much as you can about the Haggadah — who bought it, when and where. Share this story with your seder guests — it will give them a renewed appreciation for the book they've been thumbing through for all these years. If your Haggadah isn't an heirloom, you might want to try a new one. You'll find that there's an amazing variety of Haggadot, from ones that are geared toward children to specialized versions for women, vegetarians, art enthusiasts and others. Finding the perfect Haggadah for your family will make reading it a pleasure.
These are just a few thoughts to get you started — there's virtually no limit to the ways you can add your personal touch to our ancient tradition. Happy Pesach!
How abundant are the reasons
for our thanks to God
for the many gifts
He gave us!
From the Haggadah
for our thanks to God
for the many gifts
He gave us!
From the Haggadah
Because Passover commemorates such an important event in Jewish history — the exodus of the Jews from Egypt in ancient times — the Passover seder is far more than just a meal. While it is a welcome the chance to gather with family and friends and talk over a long dinner, it is also important to remember the true meaning of Passover.
Just how to bring that meaning to the seder table can be a difficult question. Many remember seemingly endless seders from childhood, trying to sit still through all the long Haggadah passages, listening to Hebrew they had not yet learned. The pride (and nervousness) of reciting the Four Questions, the anticipation of finding the afikomen, the seder meal itself, and of course the singing at the end of the evening — these things make the seder livelier, but the real purpose of the seder can still be elusive.
There are ways, though, to bring special resonance to the seder as both a religious occasion and a family gathering, by adding personal touches that gave each seder special meaning. One way is to have each person at the seder table read a selected passage from the Haggadah in English. That ensures that everyone — from the kids who are not quite ready to follow the Hebrew to the adults whose Hebrew has become a little rusty — stays involved in the story and the seder experience. (It also serves as a good refresher course for anyone who is faintly fuzzy on the meanings and symbols associated with the holiday.)
Here are some other ways to add significance and emotion to your seder.
Involve the Kids
Kids play an important part in the seder, but to ensure that Passover means more to them than just the present they get for finding the afikomen, try bringing them into the planning. Have your kids help you prepare the seder plate, and make sure they know the meaning of each item on it. Charoset tastes even better when we remember that it represents the mortar our ancestors used in their years of enslavement, and maror goes down easier if we think of it as a symbol of the bitterness of those years.
Honor Memories
Take a moment to remember loved ones whose presence at the seder table is missed. Choose a moment to say a brief word of remembrance. One time to consider is right before you invite Elijah in. This small gesture helps you stay connected to seders past and follows the Jewish tradition of honoring family.
Expand Your Horizons
If your seder meals are the same year after year, maybe this is the year to try something new. Many cookbooks feature Jewish cuisine from all over the globe, including places you might never have thought of. Try a recipe from a far-off land, and do a little research on the Jewish population there. You'll feel a bond with Jews everywhere — especially if the meal is good!
Pick Your Haggadah
Does your family have a Haggadah that's been passed down from generation to generation? That's a mitzvah! Try finding out as much as you can about the Haggadah — who bought it, when and where. Share this story with your seder guests — it will give them a renewed appreciation for the book they've been thumbing through for all these years. If your Haggadah isn't an heirloom, you might want to try a new one. You'll find that there's an amazing variety of Haggadot, from ones that are geared toward children to specialized versions for women, vegetarians, art enthusiasts and others. Finding the perfect Haggadah for your family will make reading it a pleasure.
These are just a few thoughts to get you started — there's virtually no limit to the ways you can add your personal touch to our ancient tradition. Happy Pesach!
Celebrate Passover eResources
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Source: A Seder to Remember. Hallmark.com April Holiday Resources (last viewed 9 April 2006) [FullText]
Source: A Seder to Remember. Hallmark.com April Holiday Resources (last viewed 9 April 2006) [FullText]
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