The Jewish Seder Meal is a beautiful feast that I have treasured celebrating with friends in my home. Tommy and I hosted our second Seder Meal this past Friday. Tommy went all out this year and made brisket and matzoh ball soup!
With themes of freedom, remembrance and reaching out to the oppressed, the liturgy of the Passover Haggadah is lovely and convicting at the same time:
"Even today, oppression remains in the world, and we are meant to taste its bitterness recalling these words: "You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in Egypt. When strangers reside with you in your land, you shall not wrong them... You shall love them as yourself, for you were strangers in Egypt. You shall rejoice before God with your son and daughter...and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow in your midst. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt."
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While I am but a mere 1/2 Puerto Rican wandering through the North American diaspora and cannot claim any sort of Jewish heritage, I cannot help but be moved by the above challenge.
Love the stranger for we were all strangers in Egypt.
Happy Easter!
3 comments:
Artsy picture, I love the blur you added to the seder table laid out for all. Care to explain the symobolism behind the photo?
Today, someone asked me if I was Jewish because my name is of Jewish origin. For a second I was a little bit disappointed to have to say no but when I found out they just wanted to know what the purpose of a Passover / Seder meal was I was more than happy to be able to give a sufficient answer.
P.S. I like your blog.
Thanks Esther! I have a friend at work who asks me every couple months, "Are you SURE you're not Jewish?" I always say "Yes, but that won't keep me from raising my children Jewish." I'm not sure if Tommy believes me yet.
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