I have been a guest at two Seders. The first was some twenty five years ago at the home of Rabbi Arthur Rulnick and Adrienne Rulnick in Pittsfield MA.
I arrived bearing my Christian Solemn Good Friday face. I soon learned that a Seder is rooted in joy - the joy of a people delivered from bondage and slavery.
Last night (15th April) I was happy to be at Sarasota's Temple Emmanu-el Seder.
There were maybe two hundred of us, comfortably seated in the Banqueting Hall of "Michaels on East": a restaurant; superior wine store; and banqueting facility. Sarasotans will know that Michaels is "not too shabby"!
Here are some photo's from last night.
By our request I was seated with Susan and Alice. I have known Alice for fifteen or so years; Susan from more recent years. I forgot to take their photo' last night, so this one is from a prior Temple-Emmanu-el event. The blessing of the Seder was enhanced greatly because I was sitting with lovely friends.
The Seder plate
Matzah
Matzah can be quite palatable when spread with Charoset
Charoset, representing the the mortar used by the slaves in Eqypt
Matzah, the unleavened bread of the biblical Passover. Quite palatable when spread with Charoset.
My dinner. I chose Brisket rather than Chicken, or a Vegetarian Plate. This meat was fork-tender, melt in your mouth good!, with enough leftover for today's lunch.
Before the Seder began Rabbi Glickman came to our table and asked "Who would like to read?" Susan said "Michael Povey will". So I did!
I resist the temptation to turn a simple blog entry into an essay about the history and meanings of the Seder. There are reputable web sites which will tell you more than I know.
N.B.
BUT I so much liked what I experienced last night. In the Seder we are there in Egypt, at the first Passover, being delivered by the Holy One from slavery and bondage. The Rabbi reminded us a few times that this is about WE not ME.
I was also delighted with the spirit of joy at the Seder. A sense of rejoicing with a bit of fun (e.g. the children searching for the hidden Matzah).
And paramount in my appreciation is that Seder is observed with a delicious meal. Seated at the dinner Table with friends and strangers to celebrate G-d's deliverance with Word and Food. That's cool!
Wouldn't it be great if the Christian Sunday Eucharist was in the context of a shared meal. Sitting at the Dinner Table is so much more satisfactory than sitting in straight lines in pews!
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