“Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.”

– Michael J. Fox (1961-)

The Seder is the single most observed Jewish ritual. Nothing else comes close.

Why? What defines it?

“Seder“means “Order.” Is it defined by reciting the 14 parts in order?

No. Families with toddlers start early to accommodate them, then resume after their bedtime to fill in parts (e.g., Kiddush) that they skipped.

Are Seders defined by matzo and wine?

No. At the worst of times (e.g., death-camps), Jews risked their lives to observe Seders devoid of matzo and wine (or food.)

Seders celebrate freedom, recounting our liberation from Egypt. Doesn’t that define it?

No. Imprisoned Jews (e.g., jail, Russia, hostile countries) treasure it even more. Indeed, they desperately need it.

My camp-friend Esther begged her children to marry orphans (it didn’t work) because she understood Seders are defined by family. Her in-laws would also want to celebrate with family and she didn’t want to relinquish her children half the time.

The correct “order”of a Seder is to be with family. Family is more delicious than matzo or wine.

The single image most associated with family, Norman Rockwell’s depiction of a three-generation feast, is titled “Freedom From Want.” (It illustrated one of FDR’s famous Four Freedoms.)

If we are with family, we are........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)