Cue the ominous music.
Actually, this post isn't really complain about Pesah. Because, the truth of the matter is, I really like Pesah. It's actually my favorite Jewish holiday. I love the community, the feeling of togetherness (coupled with exhaustion), and I love the telling of the seder. So much, that I can't tell you how disappointed I was in the Jewish people (listen to me, sheesh!) when I stopped in at Barnes and Noble and saw The 30-Minute Seder.The Passover Seder is a ritual in which no one is left out. Children through adults and grandparents are included. We are obligated to tell the story, and we are encouraged to ask questions. I have always felt this was one of the most attractive things about Judaism -- our responsibility to constantly question ourselves, our religion, and our decisions.
Yes, yes, yes, the seder is very, very long (last year, we didn't make it home until 2am on the second night). But, they're so full of meaning. We ask the four questions. We dip, we recline, we hide our afikomen. We sing songs, we play with jumping frog toys (at least I always have), and we grimace at the matzah. But we are together. So, really, are we modern day Jews so busy, so exceedingly pressed for time that we cannot join in this tradition for more than 30 minutes? We can sit through Grey's Anatomy or the Super Bowl or entire hour-long specials of the best commercials through the history of television, but we've only got time for a 30 minute seder????
I wanted to give 30 Minute Seder it's fair due, so I did visit the book's website and read some of the testimonials. The Hazz and I don't have children yet. So, perhaps my opinion will be changed when there are diapers to feed, bedtimes to be stretched, and cranky toddlers to placate. But I hope my children will find their own place at the seder. It will be my responsibility as their ima [mother] to keep them entertained, to teach them, and to make the seder FUN, meaningful, and special. Not to rush through it.
What are your thoughts? Am I being a childless, self-righteous fool? I sure hope not.
I bought it a few years ago so that I could say that I had read it. It would make for a good model seder for a classroom or for a group of seniors who are in a home for the aging.
ReplyDelete(Is that diplomatic enough?)
I like my seder long and meaningful. My parents didn't pull out skits, puppets, gimmicks or the like for us and we found our own places as kids. I will admit that my kids are a bit rowdy and for a variety of reasons cannot sit as long. To be honest, it diminishes my own experience. However, they won't be young forever.
I also own a copy of the 30 minute seder because I like to own many haggadot...
ReplyDeleteI think that a seder shouldn't be long just for the sake of being long. If a long seder will "lose" the participants, then is it better for a "short and sweet" service that will keep everyone's attention?
Personally, I love coming up with the gimmicks because my kids enjoy them so much (and so do many of the adults) and they make it just as much fun for me as for them! ;-)