Pesach

It's not as hard as you think. And the little effort you put in will yield you, your family and friends, great enjoyment and satisfaction. Here are some helpful suggestions:

First, put away the Maxwell House Haggadah! There are so many better-written and more beautifully illustrated versions. And for a wide variety of age groups, too. The rabbis can recommend which version might work best at your Seder.

Second, don't miss out on the pleasure of observing Pesach at home because you think you can't run a Seder "the right way." What a pity if Pesach were to "pass over" your home without this really wonderful Jewish home experience. Here are some tips:

1)  Make sure everyone has a haggadah.

2)  Don't feel your seder has to be too formal. The Pesach message of freedom is serious. But the celebration of Pesach should be joyous and upbeat.

3)  Sit with your haggadah a day or two before, and plan out what parts you want to use, what songs you want to sing, what Hebrew you want to read. Don't feel you have to read everything. And consider adding readings and songs of your own that you feel might be especially enjoyable and meaningful.

4)  Don't lead all by yourself. Move right around the table, giving everyone a turn to read. And be sure there's some reading and singing that everyone does together. This will increase the group spirit.

5)  As for the afikomen, take time to carefully conceal it. Searchers may be children or adults. Consider making the prize something of Jewish significance.

This should be enough to get you going. Having a Pesach seder at home is great fun and a tremendous source of Yiddishkeit, of positive Jewish feeling. So go on and do it. You can!