We’ll tweet some of these as we approach Passover @shabboshouse, but the idea is to condense seder insights into concise twitter-like tidbits, each under 140 characters.
from our TorahTuesday class before Passover 5775 / 2015 by Rabbi Mendel Rubin.
The majority (but not all) are adapted from the Rebbe’s Haggadah.
Pesach Seder is oxymoron: Order of Passing Over. Order of Out of Order. Spiritual transcendence is indeed a step by step process.
“Kadesh, Urchatz…” Sing Table of Contents? This shows that personal Exodus is a step-by-step process, we joyously celebrate each one.
Kiddush & Havdalah Combo when holidays fall on Sat Nite. The order of the combo is complex, a 9-way Talmudic argument. Order matters.
How do you Karpas at the Seder? Chabad uses raw onion or boiled potato, others use parsley or celery. But saltwater is the same for all!
Why Break the Matzah? Poor man’s bread. We’re only half of what we should be. Symbolizes more to come, its hidden within.
Why break the MIDDLE Matzah? It’s important for the broken aspects of our lives to be surrounded with support.
Larger half hidden for Afikoman. We all have much more within, all we see is tip of iceberg. Goal of Seder is to seek out that depth.
Some Haggadahs say “This is LIKE the poor man’s bread” it’s a replica, or TBT. Not Chabad’s version where reliving Exodus is current.
Invite declaration post-Kiddush w/ Seder underway? It’s inviting us to relive Exodus even if beset with exile, challenges & limitations.
Chabad puts dipping Q 1st in MahNishtana? Custom b4 biblical law!? Don’t underestimate customs, they leave lasting impression on kids.
Taboo all year, we double-dip at the Seder. 1st in saltwater 2nd time in Charoset. Different veggies. So it isn’t really double-dipping.
Charoset is on Seder plate not 4 taste but 4 texture. Its moist crunch reminds us of mortar, & that dry needs moist to be able to stick.
In Chabad lingo, “Lachluchis” (moisture) = informal warmth of stories, songs, inspiration, the intangibles that make concrete things stick.
What makes this night different.. NIGHT also refers to exile & life’s darkness. What makes today’s challenges different?
Why is Chabad’s custom for adults to repeat the 4 questions? Active listening validates the questioner, plus we’re all kids at heart!
L’SAPER is Hebrew for RETELL (the Exodus) & also means to SHINE. Telling the Passover story ought to have a glow & ought to help us grow.
2 Haggadah lessons from 5 Rabbis Passover allnighter in BneiBrak: Remember Exodus even at night & all your life = includes Moshiach.
“I am like a man of 70” our SundayTalmud class learned the background story of why he appeared to be 70 but was actually much younger.
Why does Haggadah preface ONE (One wise, one wicked etc) before each of the 4 Sons? Divine Oneness is present in all of them!
The Haggadah addresses 4 sons individually, because you have to reach each one at their own level, in their own language.
Rebbe’s rich explanation for Wise Son’s sincere question & strange answer we offer, is so flavorful, it lingers past 140 characters.
MaxwellHouse has “blunt his teeth” to wicked son in Hebrew but not in English. Rebbe says it means take the edge off, take stinger out.
Rebbe’s perspective values wicked son’s participation, his passion & interest. That’s one reason Rebbe says he’s seated near wise son.
Tam (simple son) also means wholesome & sincere. Gets short simple answer bcuz he’s in it 100%, so even smallest word is inspiration.
Rebbe: “son who doesnt know to ask” isnt thumbsucking baby. He’s sophisticated & educated, but doesn’t CARE to ask. KNOW in biblical sense.
Chidah & Alkabetz also understand “son who doesn’t know to ask” to be an adult, but bashful & lacking the confidence to speak up.
Rebbe always spoke of 5th son who doesn’t show up. We must reach & seek out & welcome this 5th son, he’s part of the family, too!
Humble beginnings is key to Haggadah. Part of Jewish narrative: our ancestors were idolaters. It inspires gratitude, continued aspirations.
And THIS stood by us, says the Haggadah. What’s THIS? G-d’s promise, the eternal bond & covenant with our people.
Haggadah introduces Lavan story “Go out & learn”. Some learning is best at school of hard knocks in real world out of comfort zone.
Haggadah says: “In every generation they rise up against us” we got comfortable for a little while, but sadly, it is still true. Read the news.
We went down to Egypt “forced by the Word” destiny forces our hand, plots our life journeys, often the descent leads to a greater ascent.
“Forced by the word” @reuvainleigh: this Hagadah passage shows how we’re trapped & limited by language (it also brings forth redemption)
Not everyone sees it this way today, but the Haggadah (& Jewish history) says population growth is a positive, it’s a great blessing!
The Hebrew “Metzuyan!” is found on test papers & report cards, it means outstanding! In the Haggadah it means Jews proudly stood out.
Our suffering, toil & oppression. Haggadah translates these 3 as marital matters, raising children & stress. All remain relevant today.
Haggadah makes a point that G-d took us out of Egypt, not a messenger. We, too, ought to be personally invested, dedicated & involved.
That big Haggadah stretch of Rabbis arguing over plague numbers? Not a numbers game, it signifies effect, impact & reach.
Dayenu is one of those songs that most Jewish communities across the spectrum use the same tune. Maybe gratitude transcends all lines.
If G-d brought us to Sinai but no Torah? Dayenu!? Unifying experience of gathering at the mountain with one heart was worth it alone.
Rabban Gamliel boils down Passover Seder to 3 essential things: Paschal Lamb, Matzah & Bitter Herb.
Think of Rabban Gamliel’s 3 as: The Simple or Basic (Matzah), The Rich (Paschal Lamb), The Challenging (Maror).
Hillel’s original sandwich trio: Matzah, Paschal Lamb & Bitter Herb. Today we eat them (aside for the lamb) both separately & together.
Our parallel effort to G-d’s Passover leap? Jump over obstacles, skip over challenges, ignore distractions, take a spiritual plunge.
1/3: Why do we eat Matzah? Everyone knows: it baked on their backs! Hey, but weren’t they earlier told to eat Matzah with Paschal Lamb?
2/3: Alter Rebbe asks this question in the first Maamar I learned in a classroom, in 1986. Ironically over fudge-graham cookies & milk.
3/3: It was of my earliest exposures to how Chassidic thought adds new dimension and rich perspective to familiar biblical texts.
For some strange reason “BcholDor-as if u left Egypt” is TTTO “Row row your boat” but it fits: each stroke (inward?) propels us forward!
The Matzah breaks in Half, as does the Hallel psalms of praise at the Seder. Half Hallel before the meal, other half afterward.
My grandfather R’ Moshe Rubin had a most memorable dynamic & dramatic tune for the blessing over the Seder’s 2nd cup after Maggid.
Reclining used to be a sign of comfort & luxury, so we recline at the Seder. Modern lingo: we feel at home, relaxed, not uptight.
Eating Matzah on Passover is like digesting data. Gigabytes of Jewish memory! It’s bread of faith, and we’re internalizing it.
Think of Passover’s Bitter Herb as a grain of sand that irritates an oyster which eventually creates a pearl in response.
Lettuce = bitter herb!? The longer it’s left in the ground, the more bitter the white stalks get. It symbolizes gradual suffering.
Tanya 31: Sadness has no energy, but bitterness can be a catalyst. Piquant sharp Maror stimulates & awakens, brings us to our senses.
“Next Year in Jerusalem!” in liturgy 2x a year: end of Yom-Kippur service & Passover Seder; one of hunger, the other of satiation.
Most Haggadahs have a concluding passage. Not Chabad. Passover is open-ended, its spirit & redemptive process continue all year.