Mizrachi SA Jewish Observer - Pesach 2016 | Page 16

SEDER SPEAK

MAKING YOUR SEDER
MORE MEANINGFUL:
IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION
DORON AND GILA CHITIZ
physical slavery as depicted in the Torah?
Does slavery exist in our lives today? Each and
every one of us is enslaved to some degree socially, technologically, etc.
How many of us allow our smartphones to
dictate how or when we use them? Do we
automatically answer our ringing phone even
when we are in conversation with someone
else, or do we let it go to voicemail? Do our
phones serve us or do we serve our phones?
How many of us feel free to always say and do
what we believe is right?

THE SEDER night holds the key to our

personal Jewish identities. It is a night for each one of us
to reflect on who we are as Jews and where our priorities
lie as Hashem’s nation. Traditionally, the seder is thought
of as a night focused on the children - by encouraging
them to ask questions and share ideas. While this is of
utmost importance, it is crucial to keep in mind that the
seder is an important experience for all of us - regardless
of age. The actual mitzvah of the evening is to tell the
story of the Exodus from Egypt which is meant to serve
as an inspiring journey that is meant to last year-round.
How do we turn the seder from merely a recitation of
passages in the Hagada to a meaningful and powerful
experience for everyone around the table?
Below are some discussion topics to include during your
seder.
1) We speak about our slavery in Egypt which happened
over 3000 years ago. How many of us truly relate to the

2) The four Sons - how do we educate our
children?
There is a verse in Proverbs that states
“Educate the child according to his way”
(Proverbs 22:6). Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch
expounds on this verse, stating that every child
is unique, with different personality traits and
qualities, and therefore should be educated differently.
When it comes to education, there is no “one size fits
all”. Two children could ask the same question but
should receive different answers tailored to his or her
character. How do we see this idea manifested in this
section of the hagada? Are these the answers we would
have given these sons?
The hagada classifies the sons for us, by labeling them
“wise”, “wicked”, “simple” and “one who cannot ask”.
how many of these preconceived notions play into the
answers given? How would they play into the answers we
would have given the sons?
Many hagadot include illustrations of the four sons. How
is each son depicted in your hagada? How would you
describe or illustrate these sons?
3) Dayenu:
Many commentators wonder: What would have been
the point of our standing adjacent to Har Sinai without
receiving the Torah? Wasn’t receiving the Torah the goal
Continued on pg 18

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