The seder plate holds the main symbols of a traditional Passover seder-- the shank bone, egg, karpas, charoset, and maror. The Kabbalists of the Middle Ages added hazeret, another kind of bitter lettuce. And in recent years feminists have added an orange on the seder plate to symbolize women's leadership roles and full empowerment in Jewish life.
The artichoke however is a new development. What is an artichoke? Surely a work of God's imagination! Many petals, with thistle and a heart. To me this has come to represent the Jewish people.
We are first of all, very diverse in our petals. We call people Jews who are everything from very traditional Orthodox Hassidim, to very liberal secular. We are Reform, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, traditional, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Renewal, and, of course, post-denominational. We are social justice activists and soldiers; we are Israelis and Jews of the Diaspora. We are young, old, single, married. Many are vegetarian, while others swear by Hebrew National. Our skin can be white as Scandinavian, dark black as Ethiopian, and we now welcome many Chinese and Latin American adoptees. Lately we add another category, that of interfaith.
Like the artichoke, which has thistles protecting its heart, the Jewish people have been thorny about this question of interfaith marriage. Let this artichoke on the seder plate tonight stand for the wisdom of God's creation in making the Jewish people a population able to absorb many elements and cultures throughout the centuries--yet still remain Jewish. Let the thistles protecting our hearts soften so that we may notice the petals around us.
Karpas (parsley that is dipped in salt water during the seder) kavannah (spiritual focus)--time for spring awakening, new directions--renewal and bursting forth of new ideas.
We take this time to honor others who travel with us from other faiths and cultural traditions. We acknowledge the fact that they bring a new perspective to our lives and a legacy of their own that enriches ours. We are grateful for the growth that we have experienced because they are in our lives.
As a plant bursts forth with new energy to bloom, so too we recognize that at this time of Jewish history we are blossoming in different ways. As the garden needs tending, so, too, do our relationships with spouses, in-laws and families of other traditions. Weeding out all that is not necessary and loving, we make room for fresh insight and respect. Welcome those who sit around this table for the first time or the twentieth, bringing new understanding to our discussion.
This year it may be more difficult than usual to find the traditional symbolic foods for the seder plate. Just like last year, Passover 2021 will be different from years past. Some of us will be Zooming into seders in order to unite with friends and family. Everything going on around us will inform the discussion we have around the seder table.
On Passover we’re reminded of the Exodus from Egypt, from oppression to freedom. A script was written meticulously which outlines 15 steps of the Passover seder called the Haggadah. There are tons of different versions of this book now to fit everyone’s religious style and beliefs. It’s recited out loud around the table. The seder plate sits on the table throughout the seder and each item represents a symbol of Passover.
The items on the seder plate can help educate guests about the customs of Passover. Last year, it was extremely hard to get groceries at Passover time, period, so we came up with some substitutions. But these substitutions can be used any time.
Maror: a bitter herb that represents the bitterness of slavery. Horseradish may be the most traditional bitter herb but you could use any bitter green like romaine lettuce, arugula, kale, chicory or endive. If you can’t get fresh greens try some mustard, wasabi or ginger.
Click here to see the rest of the substitutions from 18Doors.
I’ve spoken to several people recently who don’t plan to attend synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah, but who want to find meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday. And I know others who do go to synagogue, but who are looking for additional ways to enhance their celebration of the day. So here are some ideas for celebrating Rosh Hashanah outside of a synagogue, regardless of whether or not you also attend services:
Read more at 18Doors.
The seder plate holds the main symbols of a traditional Passover seder-- the shank bone, egg, karpas, charoset, and maror. The Kabbalists of the Middle Ages added hazeret, another kind of bitter lettuce. And in recent years feminists have added an orange on the seder plate to symbolize women's leadership roles and full empowerment in Jewish life.
The artichoke however is a new development. What is an artichoke? Surely a work of God's imagination! Many petals, with thistle and a heart. To me this has come to represent the Jewish people.
We are first of all, very diverse in our petals. We call people Jews who are everything from very traditional Orthodox Hassidim, to very liberal secular. We are Reform, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, traditional, Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Renewal, and, of course, post-denominational. We are social justice activists and soldiers; we are Israelis and Jews of the Diaspora. We are young, old, single, married. Many are vegetarian, while others swear by Hebrew National. Our skin can be white as Scandinavian, dark black as Ethiopian, and we now welcome many Chinese and Latin American adoptees. Lately we add another category, that of interfaith.
Like the artichoke, which has thistles protecting its heart, the Jewish people have been thorny about this question of interfaith marriage. Let this artichoke on the seder plate tonight stand for the wisdom of God's creation in making the Jewish people a population able to absorb many elements and cultures throughout the centuries--yet still remain Jewish. Let the thistles protecting our hearts soften so that we may notice the petals around us.
Karpas (parsley that is dipped in salt water during the seder) kavannah (spiritual focus)--time for spring awakening, new directions--renewal and bursting forth of new ideas.
We take this time to honor others who travel with us from other faiths and cultural traditions. We acknowledge the fact that they bring a new perspective to our lives and a legacy of their own that enriches ours. We are grateful for the growth that we have experienced because they are in our lives.
As a plant bursts forth with new energy to bloom, so too we recognize that at this time of Jewish history we are blossoming in different ways. As the garden needs tending, so, too, do our relationships with spouses, in-laws and families of other traditions. Weeding out all that is not necessary and loving, we make room for fresh insight and respect. Welcome those who sit around this table for the first time or the twentieth, bringing new understanding to our discussion.
This year it may be more difficult than usual to find the traditional symbolic foods for the seder plate. Just like last year, Passover 2021 will be different from years past. Some of us will be Zooming into seders in order to unite with friends and family. Everything going on around us will inform the discussion we have around the seder table.
On Passover we’re reminded of the Exodus from Egypt, from oppression to freedom. A script was written meticulously which outlines 15 steps of the Passover seder called the Haggadah. There are tons of different versions of this book now to fit everyone’s religious style and beliefs. It’s recited out loud around the table. The seder plate sits on the table throughout the seder and each item represents a symbol of Passover.
The items on the seder plate can help educate guests about the customs of Passover. Last year, it was extremely hard to get groceries at Passover time, period, so we came up with some substitutions. But these substitutions can be used any time.
Maror: a bitter herb that represents the bitterness of slavery. Horseradish may be the most traditional bitter herb but you could use any bitter green like romaine lettuce, arugula, kale, chicory or endive. If you can’t get fresh greens try some mustard, wasabi or ginger.
Click here to see the rest of the substitutions from 18Doors.
I’ve spoken to several people recently who don’t plan to attend synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah, but who want to find meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday. And I know others who do go to synagogue, but who are looking for additional ways to enhance their celebration of the day. So here are some ideas for celebrating Rosh Hashanah outside of a synagogue, regardless of whether or not you also attend services:
Read more at 18Doors.
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