Things to Remember when Planning your Passover Seder
If you decide to host a Passover seder in your home, there are many resources available. If you’re a member of a synagogue, the staff members will assist you in obtaining the appropriate traditions, literature, ceremonies and other necessary items.Additionally, the internet contains a vast library of information about seders, with instructions and illustrations explaining the entire process.A brief outline of important things to remember when planning your own Passover seder can help you make it meaningful and enjoyable for you and your guests.1. Understand the origins. The historic basis of the seder is to celebrate Passover. The word marks the moment of Biblical history in the Book of Exodus when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt.After the Pharaoh refused to grant them freedom, the angels of God passed over the slave quarters and slew the first-born sons of the Egyptians. It was then when the Hebrews were permitted to find lands in what is modern-day Israel.1. Learn as much as you can about the history and meanings of the ceremony, foods and other aspects of the event. The information and details are in the Haggadah, the Hebrew instructions on conducting the seder. Many versions can be found on internet sites.2. Depending on your religious feelings, you may choose to follow the traditional orthodox Hebrew ceremony. If you prefer to modernize your seder, you may select various passages and add contemporary language and prayers.3. Decide how many people to invite. This was traditionally confined to members of the immediate family. However, if you prefer to make your occasion more inclusive, you made include Jewish and non-Jewish friends.4. The pre-dinner seder ceremony can be from just a few minutes to as long as an hour. Print and pass out copies of the ceremony, as well as English and phonetically-spelled Hebrew lyrics to traditional songs.5. Traditionally, the father of the household conducts the ceremony. For more contemporary seders, it can be anyone who knows the Haggadah and can make the occasion both important and enjoyable to all attendees.6. A most meaningful seder is one where all participates in the ceremony. After the leader introduces the meanings of the occasion, he or she gives each person at the table the opportunity in sequence to read passages from the Haggadah.7. The seder can be more meaningful to children there if they are welcomed to read passages in individual sequences along with the adults. More importantly, there are the traditional four questions that are asked by the youngest child, beginning with the familiar, “Why is this night different than all other nights?” In the script, all participants may answer in Hebrew and/or English.
Another tradition is a contest among the younger children to find pieces of matzoh that were previously hidden in places around the home. When they return from their searches, the children are often rewarded with cakes and candy.
8. There are also traditional Passover songs that are sung by all participants in Hebrew and/or English. In contemporary seders, some include an old spiritual is sung, “Let My People Go”. The lyrics tell of how Moses confronted the Pharaoh.9. The seder meal is usually served at this time in the sequence. The ingredients vary in Jewish homes throughout the world, some with traditionally kosher foods, while others may vary according to taste. Familiar dishes include gefilte fish, chicken soup with matzoh balls and pot roast of beef.10. After the meal, many hosts will return to the seder script for a brief prayer of thanks, hopes for world peace and blessings.The Passover seder can be a memorable occasion for families and friends to gather to celebrate the historic occasion together. Now that almost everyone has photo and video capabilities with cell phones and devices, it would be appropriate to record the happy event to be enjoyed by today’s and future generations.
