Passover is a retelling of the story of Exodus. The holiday starts with a Seder (which literally translates into “order”), a ritualistic dinner full of discussions, songs, and symbolism. Families read from a Haggadah, the book used to guide us through the Seder, and these haggadot can vary quite a bit. There are traditional ones, quick ones, Harry Potter-themed ones, and everything in between.
The centerpiece of the Seder is the Seder plate which includes the following items: ● Karpas: A green vegetable, usually parsley, that symbolizes new spring. ● Haroset: A sweet fruit paste or mixture that symbolizes the mortar used to build the pyramids as well as the concept of sweetness itself. ● Maror: A bitter herb, usually horseradish, that symbolizes the bitterness of slavery. ● Hazeret: Another bitter herb, usually romaine lettuce, used during a different part of the seder than maror. Not everyone uses a second bitter herb, instead they use maror both times. ● Zeroa: The shank bone, representing the sacrificial (pascal) lamb. (The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, related to the word pascal) ● Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg, which represents a different sacrifice made in the Temple for every holiday as well as the cyclical nature of life.
The other important part of the Seder table is Matzah, unleavened bread representative of how hastily the Israelites left Egypt. During the whole week of Passover, it is customary to avoid all leavened grains.
The intentionality behind Passover, especially during the Seder, is to relive a time when we were slaves so we can remember the hardship, helping us empathize with those who currently face similar plight.
This year, although we are unable to get together physically to celebrate Passover, there are so many tools available to gather. We’ve compiled a list of resources to guide you through this unusual time: recipes for those cooking their own Passover meals for the first time, virtual Seder guides, open virtual Seders, and tips on how to frame the conversation.
Passover Recipes ● Ashkenazi Charoset - Epicurious ● Sephardic Charoset - Tori Avey ● Persian Charoset (Haleg) - Jamie Geller ● Braised Brisket - Serious Eats ● Passover Braised Short Ribs - Wolfgang Puck ● Tangy Baked Chicken - The Spruce Eats ● Matzo Ball Soup - Budget Bytes ● Tzimmes - The Spruce Eats ● Matzo Brei - The Spruce Eats ● 14 Kosher for Passover Dessert Recipes - Brit + Co. ● Passover Recipe Collection - Tori Avey
Virtual Seder Guides and Resources ● How to Host a Virtual Seder - Hey Alma ● Seder2020 - Resources and guides for your virtual Seder ○ You can post your virtual Seder here and find open virtual Seders to attend
Open Virtual Seders and Services ● Shir Hadash ● Beth David ● Congregation Sinai (Services) (Seder) ● Beth Am ● Etz Chayim
Tips on Framing This Year’s Conversation Kadesh (Kiddush) The word Kadvesh means sanctify, but it is also related to the word meaning separate. During Kiddush, we are not only sanctifying time but also separating it from average days. Kiddush is a great time to set a kavanah, an intention. There are four instances where we bless wine during Passover Seder, and each one gives an opportunity for a new kavanah. Here are some examples: ● For the first glass: Let’s take this time to feel as though we are together, even though we are apart, and to be grateful for the technology that allows us to celebrate with each other instead of having to be alone. ● For the second glass: This is the glass where we pour out a few drops for each plague, because we cannot take joy in other people’s suffering even if they are our enemies. The intention for this glass could be to be especially mindful of how the current pandemic touches everyone indiscriminately and to brainstorm ways we as a community can be of service to those who are suffering. ● For the third glass: The intention here can be to look forward to what’s to come, the positive ways in which we think the world will change, and what we’re looking forward to when this is over. ● For the fourth glass: This glass can be about the silver linings. While the good might not outweigh the bad, there is still good.
Urchatz - Symbolic Handwashing Handwashing happens twice during the Seder, the first being symbolic and the second being practical. This first handwashing doesn’t require a blessing, but these days handwashing does have increased significance. You could use this as an opportunity to write your own blessing, to demonstrate proper handwashing techniques, or to just reflect on the steps we can take to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Karpas - Spring Vegetable It’s customary to dip the spring vegetable in saltwater. While the spring vegetable is a symbol of renewal and hope, we mix it with the memory of the tears of slavery. This part of the Seder could be an opportunity to acknowledge that we are all struggling, but that we all have things to look forward to. Maybe give everyone the opportunity at this time to share the thing they are most excited for when things start to return to normal.
Yahatz - Divide This is the part of the Seder where we divide the Matzah. This could be an opportunity to acknowledge that we are all divided now physically, but we seem to be coming together now more than ever. Maybe have everyone share ways they’ve connected with people in new ways during social isolation.
Magid - Narrate There is a lot of room for creativity in this section. This is the part where we ask why this night is different from all other nights, a chance to discuss how we are living differently during the pandemic. In one Haggadah, I saw a “fifth child” added to the Four Children--The One Who Is Not Present. That is especially relevant this year. During the Ten Plagues, we can discuss ten ways we are suffering currently. Dayenu, a time for gratitude for all the small things bringing us through.
Rohtza - Wash This is the second handwashing, this time with a blessing. This is another good time to emphasize proper handwashing techniques, add a second prayer, or maybe say or sing the handwashing blessing in a way that takes 20 seconds.
Motzi Matzah - Blessings over the Matzah In addition to the normal blessings, you can talk about how Matzah came from haste, having to take action quickly. Many of us had to act quickly, leaving important things at work or somewhere outside the home, and we quickly had to act to put our work on virtual platforms. Talk about how prepared or unprepared you felt for our current situation, or maybe just acknowledge that even in times where need to act fast, we are still able to be sustained.
Maror - Bitter Herbs This can be an opportunity to address the things we are struggling with most during the pandemic. It can be something as trivial as not being able to get a haircut to something like not being able to be with your family. There are no rules to struggling and it’s important to make space for whatever negative emotions people are working through.
Korekh - Hillel Sandwich This is when we mix the bitter herbs with the sweet haroset, finding equanimity with both. This can be an opportunity to address the silver linings during this difficult time and what we hope to take out of this experience. For example, continuing to slow things down or scheduling regular video chats with friends and family from around the globe.
Shulhan Orekh - Meal Eating and talking over video chat can be awkward. Depending on what platform you’re using and how big the group is, you can assign breakout rooms so people eat in smaller groups. Otherwise you can get the conversation going with virtual conversation cards. Maybe have everyone share what they made! But hopefully, this can be a moment to relax, ease out of the structure of the Seder, and enjoy some time talking to your friends and family.
Tzafun - Dessert The meal and the bulk of the Seder have passed, the content can lighten a bit. If you have kids, you can create games in place of the afikomen hunt and arrange for prizes for the winners. For the adults, this can be a time to surprise each other. One idea is to assign everyone a person at random (like Secret Santa), and you prepare something to send virtually to that person. Maybe it’s a video or a letter, or even something you perform during the video chat.
Barekh - Grace After Meals (Birkat Hamazon) During this part of the Seder, we open the door for the prophet Elijah, whose return is supposed to indicate the coming of the Messiah. This is an opportunity to talk about better days ahead. Although there is currently no solid timeline for when things get better, the one thing that we can count on is that things will get better, and it’s so important to hold onto that.
Hallel - Songs of Praise Singing in a video chat is tough due to lags, so every family can lead their own song while everyone else is on mute.
Nirtzah - Conclusion Every year we wish “Next year in Jerusalem!” but this year the wish can be “Next year together!”