More than the Four Questions #Passoverseder#Haggadah

Around the Passover Seder table all questions are welcome. In fact the Haggadah I use is entitled A Night Of Questions. In order to make your Seder more meaningful I offer you these questions to personalize different steps of the Seder. I encourage you to give yourself some time to think of your own answers to these questions before you ask your guests around the table. You might even want to share these questions beforehand with them as well. I hope your reflections and answers will be a worthwhile activity even if time does not allow you to answer all of the questions.

Here are the questions:

As our Seder journey, begins what blessings have you received this year? How much do you attribute to the efforts of your own labor and to what extent do you perceive God’s role in these gifts? What opportunities do you take to express gratitude?

For Urkhatz: “This evening is a departure from routine. All is open to question. Washing the hands is usually accompanied by a blessing. Now, each participant washes silently. This act is meant to spark questions. It is in silence that questions are born. It is in silence that God’s presence is felt.” (The  Lovell Haggadah, page 38) Think of the times in which you have experienced God’s presence.

For Yakhat: Only when we give something up can we make room for the new; only when we admit we are broken can we begin the journey toward healing. What are we lacking as individuals? Within the community? Where will we begin our search?

For Maggid: What does your presence add to the Seder? How can our community be more responsive to those who need hospitality and support?

For The Four Questions: What questions are on your minds tonight?

For The Four Children: Who would you choose as modern characters (political, artistic, etc.) or other biblical personalities to represent The Four Children?

For Blessed is the One who upholds the promise to Israel, Blessed is God: God tells Abraham that his descendants will become slaves. Is there anything redeeming about the experience of slavery? What role does it play in the formation of our Jewish identity?

For “And we cried out to Adonai, the God of our ancestors”: Why did the Israelites have to “cry out” before God responded? How do we sense God’s responsiveness today? Do you turn to God more in times of need or in times of joy and why?

For Dayainu: Make a list of 12 things you are grateful for.

For Pesakh, Matzah, Maror: what symbols or steps of the Seder do you consider most important?

For Next Year in Jerusalem: How do you express your hope in the Jewish future? What does “Jerusalem” represent for you, as a physical place and as a metaphor?