Passover celebration ideas

Rabbi Ammos Chorny

Some time ago, I stumbled upon a concise Passover Seder online, clocking in at just 30 seconds. It went something like this: “Thanks for the wine. Thanks for the greens. Why eat matzah? Why eat bitters? Why dip twice? Why slouch? Dayenu (that would be enough)… Let’s eat!” While such brevity might seem lacking, I've also encountered well-structured 30-minute seders that include essential rituals, ideal for young families. On the flip side, I've endured seders that felt interminable.

The Haggadah recounts a tale of five rabbis who stayed up all night telling the Exodus story, only to be interrupted by their students for morning prayers. Though I've never quite grasped this story since Jewish law dictates that the afikomen must be eaten by midnight, closing the sacred meal, the speculation that the rabbis were covertly planning the Bar Kochba revolt may hold more weight.

Seders range from minimal to maximal. I strive for a balance, adapting to my audience. While I prioritize essential rituals, I may not recite every word of the Haggadah. For me, a lively rendition of “Had Gadya” at the end is paramount. Our family tradition involves attempting to sing the entire final stanza in one breath.

…(seders) should serve as powerful conduits for transmitting stories across generations.

Suppose you opt for a minimal seder, adhering to Torah requirements with little else. Rabban Gamliel outlined three items necessary for fulfillment: the Paschal offering (represented by a shank bone and afikomen), matzah and maror I prefer to use shmura matzah, evoking the taste of ancient Egypt.

Another Torah mandate is storytelling. The Exodus tale must be told in detail to accommodate all types of children. Personally, I lead a seder akin to an episode of Jeopardy, posing questions to stimulate discussion. For instance, I often ask, “If it weren't for women, would we still be slaves in Egypt? Can anyone name six women pivotal to the Exodus?” It's crucial to captivate the audience, especially the children, rather than drone on in Hebrew without engaging those around the table.

While there are additional traditions like the rabbinic requirement of four cups of wine, seders need not be lengthy or tedious. Instead, they should serve as powerful conduits for transmitting stories across generations. May your Passover celebrations be joyous and meaningful, and may peace soon prevail in Israel.

Rabbi Ammos Chorny serves at Beth Tikvah.