Page 2 - Passover 2020 Haggadah

WELCOME TO OUR SEDER
The word haggadah means to tell, or to relate. The Haggadah is a vivid and compelling narrative which is set in the context of a beautiful gathering, virtual or otherwise, of family and friends. The message inherent in the Haggadah is that Jewish identity and continuity hinge on encouraging children to ask questions -- and being prepared as parents or grandparents or great grandparents, to provide sensitive and substantive answers. In Judaism, being learned, knowledgeable, and wise is not only a goal, it's a requirement. Passover, with the Haggadah as its focus, tells every Jew three things: who you are, where you came from, and what you stand for.
Perhaps it’s appropriate this year to dwell a bit on “what we stand for”, or to ask the question: Why is this Passover different than any other Passover? Why are we having a “virtual” Seder? Why, if Adonai is so great and wise, are we having to deal with an eleventh plague that has wrought so much pain and suffering across the globe? Why has Zoom become such an important word in our vocabulary? Why, for example, are we repeating the ritual hand washing after each prayer with Purell? Seriously, I think the answer to these questions is that this Passover has taken on more relevance and meaning than ever before. This Passover is a time for us to reflect not just on our historical freedom from tyranny and enslavement, but also on how we respond to adversity in truly anxious times, much like the original Israelites had to do over 3300 years ago. I think the difference has less to do with “social distancing”, and much more to do with how we treat each other in times of strife, how we treat our most vulnerable, and what we, as Jews and Gentiles alike, can do to keep our freedoms alive, and most importantly, keep us healthy in the process.
So here we are, ready to tell our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren the story of Passover courtesy of Zoom and a good internet connection. The Hebrew word “Seder” translates in English to “order”. The order of our Seder this evening is the same order that has been followed by Jews for over 3300 years: some drinking, some blessings, a bit of dipping, some reading, storytelling, and singing (featuring “The Matzah Men” Quintet), and finally, a lot more eating followed by some virtual kibitzing, perhaps a few rounds of on- line Dominos and maybe a few hands of cootie-free cribbage. Now, let us begin...
KADDESH UR'CHATZ
KARPAS YACHATZ
MAGGID RACHTZAH
MOTZI/ MATZAH MAROR
KORECH SHULCHAN ORECH TZAFUN
BARECH HALLEL NIRTZAH
ַק ֵּד שׁ וְּר ַחץ
כְר ַפס ַי ַחץ
ַמ ִּ ג י ד ָר ְח ָצה
מ וֹ ִּצ י א
ַמ ָצה
ָמרוֹר
כּוֵֹּרךְ
ֻׁשׁ ְל ָח ן ע וֹ ֵּר ךְ ָצפוּן
ָב ֵּר ךְ ַה ֵּל ל ִּנְר ָצה
Seder of the Seder
Kiddush (The blessing over wine)
Ritual hand washing in preparation for the Seder
Dipping a green vegetable in salt water
Breaking the middle matzah and hiding the Afikomen Telling the story of Passover
Ritual hand washing in preparation for the meal
The blessing over the meal and matzah Dipping the bitter herb in sweet charoset Eating a sandwich of matzah and bitter herbs Eating the festive meal (Finally!)
Finding and eating the Afikomen
Saying the blessing after the meal and welcoming Elijah Singing and drinking fourth cup of wine (now we’re talkin’!) Ending the Seder and thinking about the future....
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