To my Temple Beth Am family,
When I think back on Seders of my past, my mind drifts to images of matzah ball soup served in my mother’s fine china, wine pocked Haggadot placed neatly on each plate, and my mother’s eyes covered as she blessed the festival lights. I hope we all have similar thoughts secured somewhere in our minds when we think of Passover. For me, I also have different types of memories housed right next door to those precious pictures of Passover. When I think of Passovers of my past, I also think of my father’s face turning beet red after shoveling a mountain of maror into his mouth. I remember my children, as babies, spitting out their first taste of matzah, as if begging us to never give them that rubbish again. I recall the countless seders when a wine or grape juice glass accidentally toppled over and someone (or sometimes everyone) declared “Well, it’s not a seder until someone spills the wine.”
For most of us, as we read this, we either are neck deep into our preparations or we are finished, taking a breather after all of our hard work. Seder night requires cleaning, cooking, arranging and planning. It requires thought and last-minute choices. It can feel all encompassing. We all work so hard to create those positive Jewish memories for Seder night. Yet, the Seder declares to us that we need balance. Koreich has maror AND charoset. Karpas has salt water (sadness) AND parsley (hope). The whole Haggadah tells of our journey from slavery to redemption. So too, this year, let us not forget the importance of joy and fun as it sits alongside the significance of this night. As you prep your soups, take a moment to nudge your “sous chef” and smile at each other. As you place your chairs, maybe have some fun music playing on your phone and dance a little. As you read your Haggadot at the table, do not be afraid to laugh and enjoy the time as family and friends sit together, sharing and creating Jewish memories. Passover night is an important night for us to open our hearts to those still struggling. But let us not forget, it is also a wonderful night for us all to share in moments of joy, happiness, and love.
May all of your seders have that and so much more.
Chag Pesach Samei’ach (have a “happy” Passover),
Rabbi Robbie
