Passover 11

The authentic Passover seder is of three types. First is Pesach Mitzrayim (Egyptian Passover), the one observed on the eve of the Exodus. The blood of the sacrifice was placed on the doorposts, it had to be eaten in haste, loins girded, with shoes on their feet, ready to depart from slavery. None of these applied to subsequent Passovers. The second is Pesach Dorot (Passover for the generations), which entailed the eating of the sacrifice with matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus.(Our present-day seder, lacking the sacrifice, maintains many of the features of Pesach Dorot, while lacking some others that we merely commemorate). The third is Pesach Sheni (second Passover). This was instituted at the first anniversary of the Exodus, when many men were unable to bring the sacrifice due to being unclean through contact with the dead. G-d commanded them to offer the sacrifice on the same date in the following month, eating it with matzah and maror. Pesach Sheni was observed only in terms of the sacrifice and festive meal. There was no accompanying holiday. Hametz (leaven) could not be eaten at this meal, but the prohibition was only for the one meal. This was to be observed in future generations for those who were unclean at the actual Passover, or who were away on a journey. There are no further details in the Written Torah concerning the Seder. That it is a very central theme, is obvious from the fact that "karet" (being "cut off" from the people) is a punishment for the violation of many serious negative commands, but only for the neglect of two positive commands; circumcision and the Passover Sacrifice. There are many additional requirements in the Oral Torah, as well as enactments following the destruction of the Temple, in order to fulfill that which is still possible, and to appropriately commemorate that which is not, and long for its restoration. Our present-day Seder consists of fifteen parts (to be discussed in later posts), which are built around four basic ceremonies. Like all joyous events, each is celebrated over a cup of wine. Over the first cup, we recite the usual holiday Kiddush (sanctification of the day). However, unlike Shabbat and other holidays, we do not have the meal at this point, but instead do things to surprise the children, so as to bring them to ask questions. Over the second cup, we recite the story of the Exodus, preceded by the asking of questions; four questions today, five when we had the sacrifice. We give thanks for the redemption from Egypt, and pray for the restoration of the Temple. Following that, we partake of the matzah and maror, followed by a very festive meal. Over the third cup, we give thanks for the food (Grace After Meals), followed by a fourth cup, over which we recite Psalms of thanksgiving and other praises. In some communities, there is also a fifth cup, which I shall discuss later. In the Diaspora, we repeat the entire Seder the following night as well. My first year in Israel, I remarked to a well-known rabbi that I missed the second Seder. He told me that he could not imagine doing something so very special twice. Each consciousness has much to be said for it. In my next few posts, I will go into detail on the various stages of the Seder and their meaning.