Passover is a holiday that has been celebrated by the Jewish people for thousands of years. Rich with history and tradition, it can sometimes be challenging to apply the lessons learned from the Passover story to our world today.
A common and recurring theme through the story of Passover is the theme of social justice.
Donate Chametz
In preparation for the Seder, one must go around the house to collect any food items considered chametz. Chametz is anything made with flour water and has been able to "rise."
This happened because when the Jews were finally allowed to leave the land of Egypt, they went in such a hurry that the bread they had made didn't have any time to rise.
As mentioned before, the point of Passover is to remind the pain, hardships, and miracles that happened to us during the Passover story.
Leaving land in haste is something that we see even today. The examples are many. Cruel regimes force out their citizen through war or economic hardships forcing families to search for a better life elsewhere.
Sadly, often these families are left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. As we collect the chametz, this could be an opportune time to give gratitude for the food and security in your life. Think about which ways you could donate the food to a local organization or one for refugees to add a bit more meaning to the symbolism of getting rid of your chametz.
Update Your Seder plate
The Seder plate is the focal point of the service. For thousands of years, the same six foods can be found. Each food item represents different aspects of the story of Passover.
During the Seder, we are encouraged to talk about the items on the Seder plate, what they symbolize, and they relate to how we felt in Egypt. Though we use the Seder plate to get us in the hardships we faced as enslaved people, this is still a great opportunity to 'update' the Seder plate to connect to today's issues.
Some Jews add orange to their Seder plate. Orange symbolizes the people who feel marginalized within the Jewish community. You can further the meaning of this item but inviting your Seder guests to take a slice of the orange, eat it, and then spit out the seeds. The seeds represent injustice and should not be allowed within the Jewish community.
Another great addition to the Seder plate could be fair trade chocolate. Besides, that chocolate is truly delicious; the process of making chocolate is often filled with injustice, inequality, and slavery for those who harvest and cook the cocoa beans. Fair Trade chocolate is grown, harvested, and made under fair and sustainable practices. This food item can also relate to our hardships when we were enslaved in Egypt and can remind us that slavery is still an issue today in our modern world.
Update Your Seder
During the Seder, we drink a collective of 4 cups of wine. Each cup focuses on our redemption from Egypt. Some people and some Haggadot suggest including the 5th cup at your Seder for additional prayers and discussions.
The idea behind this cup can be personal to you and what you wish to bring to the Seder. Some people use this cup to represent how the ultimate redemption (aka the Messiah) still has not come even though we were redeemed from Egypt. Others use this empty cup to bring attention to ongoing social injustices, those who are still without.
A great example of usin
g this 5th cup is designing a cause that you and your family are passionate about. Like you would explain the symbolism behind the Seder plate, take that approach with this cup. Talk about how the empty cup is for those seeking redemption from the issues in their life. Add to this moment by asking everyone to treat this cup as a tzedakah box, add a bit of change, and then donate the money to an organization that supports your cause.
Another great idea is to add prayers that highlight the need to recognize social justice in your community or the world. Two great prayers are the 4 children and 10 plagues which you can find here. By doing this, you are infusing the past and the present.
Regardless of age, this could be a fantastic way to help bridge the gap of what happened so long ago to many people's issues today. And then we become aware of this. Learn from our history to not repeat it - not just with ourselves but with our brothers and sisters worldwide.
Discussion Starters
Telling the story of our enslavement and eventual exodus from Egypt is the foundation and main focal point of the seder. But you can still bring this critical conversation full circle by asking specific questions that entwine Passover and social justice themes.
Taken from 'Seder Conversation Starters,' here are a couple of examples.
Reciting the '10 Plagues' is one of the most dramatic moments in the Passover Seder.
What are some of the plagues that threaten our planet today?
or
How can you speak out against 'modern-day Pharaohs' who undermine freedom and democracy in our
world?
A great way is to prepare a couple of questions or social justice-themed interpretations at a time that is appropriate to present to your family during the Seder.
To Sum It Up
There are many ways that we can make the Seder interactive and meaningful. Depending on your family and your guests, you can choose to delve
deep into the topic of social justice or discussion them in a light yet meaningful way so that it can be digestible for a younger crowd.
What activities or discussions do you plan to use during the Seder this year?
How do you feel about adding prayers or items to your Seder to highlight the social injustice in the modern world?
We would love to hear from you either in the comment section or on social media!
Wishing you all a meaningful Passover!
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