Nice Seder, but not intensified
Same Seder, intensified!
What will you do to construct meaningful memories at Passover this year? The Seder sweetly builds fresh memories upon old remembrances. We can think of the layers and layers of promises to our people coming forth, cemented by memories of miracles and plagues. Death and rebirth. These are incredibly powerful images that we need to mediate for our Seder guests so that they walk away with their own special Seder-connection.
Every year we get the chance to reinvent this consummate educational event and solidify our own connection to our past, present and future –gifting our guests with that opportunity at the same time. It is an opportunity that we shouldn’t pass over.
We can go beyond our usual limits, and immerse ourselves totally in the story of redemption, enacting all our senses in the process of calling up the bonds of slavery in order to release ourselves and become free, and in doing so reaffirm our faith in The One.
We can make sure that we take each opportunity in the Seder to ramp up our spiritual connection with what’s occurring. You need to become comfortable going ‘off script” and taking a dive into the unknown, to discover new treasures in what was already there.
Think experiential. For every sensory experience, think about how you could maximize the intensity of the taste, the smell, the feel.
What if everyone at the table had their own dish of salt, and salted their own water to the maximum that they could tolerate?
What if, along with the dipping of the Karpas, there was more dipping to be done. Think raw vegetables and dips of guacamole, ajvar (red pepper spread), baba ghanoush, and pesto (pareve).
Would closing the eyes help intensify the taste of the Maror? What if everyone peeled their own piece of horseradish?
What if, after the recitation of the Four Questions, everyone thought of a new one to ask? What types of questions might stimulate conversation and discussion? What was the spiritual purpose of marking Jewish houses? What is so compelling today about marking our houses with Mezuzot? You were there….what questions would you be asking before you went on the journey?
Help your guests identify with the larger themes of Passover by asking a few provocative questions.
What does the safety of slavery conjure up versus the risk of freedom?
Think of the way that Pharaoh described the Jews and how we describe ‘the other’ today–what are the similarities?
What does it means to be a powerless minority amidst a totalitarian power?
What does it mean when we opt for predictability instead of self-determination?
Why does Judaism not present freedom as the only goal, but pairs it with responsibility?
Just think about the rich conversations that could be going around your table!
I hope you decide to try at least one or two of these ideas and then please, please, share your feedback with me. I’d love to hear from you and will share some stories I receive with you, here.
May you and your loved ones enjoy a Chag Kasher v’Sameach!