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PASSOVER 2020 a Guide to Frequently Asked Questions About Passover Prepared by Rabbi Daniel Utley

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PASSOVER 2020 a Guide to Frequently Asked Questions About Passover Prepared by Rabbi Daniel Utley PASSOVER 2020 A Guide to Frequently Asked Questions About Passover Prepared by Rabbi Daniel Utley As a Reform synagogue, we support and encourage our Also worth considering are the Haggadot by Noam Zion, a members to make intentional decisions about how they will scholar from the Shalom Hartman Institute. He authored the keep Passover in the home, based on the collected customs “Different Night,” series, in particular “A Night to Remember: of Jewish tradition and the teachings of halachah, or Jewish The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices (Hebrew -English)” laws as evolved over time. We observe one day of chag, or You might also enjoy his article on Making the Seder Better. holiday, at the beginning and end of Passover. How can I make the seder more meaningful for kids and Of course it’s all about the food! There have been changes in adults alike? practice, especially relating to kitniyot (corn, rice, peas, lentils The seder is such a wonderful, rich experience and we’re and beans) over the years. What does Temple recommend? happy to share our excitement about it with you. These are personal decisions. Here are three online resources • Ask guests to bring a food that represents something about that we find helpful: the Passover story. Invite each participant to present her or • Guide to Eating at Passover her choice during the seder. • Making Passover Foods Meaningful • Let kids choose a favorite Passover snack at the table so they • More about chametz and kitniyot can nosh. This follows the tradition of Rabbi Akiva (Pesachim 109a) “They said about R. Akiva that he would pass out to Jane Herman of the Union for Reform Judaism offers these the children roasted grains and nuts so that they wouldn’t additional thoughts from the organization’s blog: sleep and would ask [questions].” • Have a plan ahead of time based on the reasons you are • Assign different sections of the seder to each adult and ask choosing to eat or not eat certain foods. them to bring a modern-day connection to the story. For • Decide if you are adhering to the spirit of the law (removing example: only bread from your diet during Passover) or the letter of the • What four essential questions do we have about our law (removing both chametz and kitniyot). world today? • Think about how food choices affect the spiritual aspects of • What are modern day plagues? your Passover experience. • In what ways are people enslaved even in “free” societies? • Don’t forget to plan and enjoy your first post-Passover meal. • Open your seder table to someone who doesn’t have a place to come for seder: Mishnah Pesachim 10:1 “Even What’s the best Haggadah? the poorest person in Israel must not eat [on the night Picking a Haggadah for your family can be a challenging of Passover] unless he reclines. And they must give him task; there are so many from which to choose! no fewer than four cups of wine, even [if he receives relief] from the charity plate.” Being poor can have other Begin by thinking about the goals of your seder, the values meanings besides financial insecurity. Some people lack of your family, and who will attend. If you expect a mix of community, have no family in town or are overcommitted adults and kids, you might think about choosing a Haggadah with work and kids and can’t make seder themselves. We that reads well for both demographics. Some Haggadot have all need a little help to celebrate this special holiday. beautiful pictures, games, and songs that engage children, • Honor your guests by asking everyone to sign a tablecloth while still preserving the full text in English and Hebrew. and then embroidering their names later for a memory for Questions for discussion and commentaries help adults find years to come. new meaning. • Don’t forget to prop! Purchase masks and toys for the If your family has an interest in advocacy or social justice plagues, available at Judaic Treasures. causes, there are several Haggadot and Passover supplements from American Jewish World Service, HIAS, and the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism available for download online. The Union for Reform Judaism has collected a set of 16 inspiring Haggadot, including the social justice themed texts, on its blog..
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