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Preparation for Pesach

 

As a Rabbi, I have found that it is a wonderful irony that Jews of most denominations and none, barring the few from each who are observant throughout the annual cycle, are most concerned about two things, food and family gatherings. My most secular Jewish friends still make regular jaunts out for bagels and their accoutrements.  Some even keep kosher and nearly everyone acknowledges – even if they do not wish to in public – that they enjoy the regular family Erev Shabbat and if they do not have it on a regular basis because they live away from home, actually miss it.

 

Pesach heightens the irony because at least on one night, if not the whole 7/8 days, Jews are particularly worried about what they eat. Now, I am pretty sure that you will read elsewhere in this valuable volume, chapter and verse on the halachot (Jewish law) concerning the ‘how to’s’ of Pesach. The ‘why to’ is fundamental to the halachic system– because God through the Rabbis told us to do so. My wife and I follow it – minus the more quirky folk traditions that seem to be considered halachot – clearing out our home of hametz and changing the whole kitchen over to our Pesach crockery and cutlery and pots and pans. We follow the order (Seder) and eat the prescribed (by halacha and regional and family backgrounds) foods, invite guests, give tzedakah and attend services (not difficult for as a Rabbi I am normally leading them).

 

So as a Jew I have fulfilled my duties and will gain nakhus points that may swing me getting to olam ha’ba (the world to come): but what about now?

 

To my mind, as important as the rules that you choose to follow are (and can read from others in this volume), there is also the question of how you approach this time and space and what you get out of it – and it is true that you get out what you put in – and what others get out of you.

 

So what can you add to the Seder table?

 

  1. You – your mere presence is often a bonus to all and sometimes not assumed so do not be a shmock and milk it. You will only get short-term selfish gain from that.

  2. Bring a physical presence other than you - invite friends who are important in your life, both Jewish and not.

  3. Bring a physical presence other than you and your friends – do not rely on your Mum, Grandma, M&S or your kosher section of the local supermarket to provide. Provide something on the table and make an effort (a real winner is: Claudia Roden’s Egyptian Charoset – chuck 1 cup pitted prunes and 1.5 cups raisins into mixer to chop finely and then soak in water overnight. Next day boil & simmer & stir & mash until a smooth paste. Cool. Stir in .75 cup red wine and chop few walnuts to garnish. You will find that making something makes a difference to your experience of Pesach.

  4. Think about what you are doing – I am not sure the last time that you actually related to the Exodus from Egypt but just bear in mind that by the grace of God, most of us are at the table to remember it and to celebrate with the Seder. Our generations may never have lived through times when we were in real fear of our lives but we should have been given enough of a memory to relate to our ancestors around the table. On seder night we do not only remember the generations of the Tanakh but all of them, including those closest to us who probably have lived through real fear of their lives and lost family and friends to the horrors that we are largely spared. Think about it.

  5. Listen to the stories and remember how to tell them in years to come - Pesach is a time of telling stories. How many more Seder’s will we get the opportunities to hear the stories of our ancestors. We live in a privileged society, able to seat many more generations in one room at one time than at any other time. If the stories are not free flowing then ask for them and nurture them.  These are your stories that you should be writing in your haggadot to repeat them to your generations to come.

  6. Tell your own stories – be there at the table. Do not just be a spectator but an active participant who is willing to give of yourself, to tell of your life and to challenge yourself and others with debate and discussion. Yes, one wants to hear about Great Auntie Sadie’ arthritis and Uncle Sam’s mid-rift challenges (pun intended) but we also want to hear about what makes you laugh, mad and cry about the world. It is important. We should not be passengers through our time on earth. Play your part.

  7. Chag Sameach and enjoy.

 

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

Northwood and Pinner Liberal Synagogue

Liberal Judaism Outreach Director