Dear Friends,
As Passover approaches I often look at the section of my bookshelves that hold an assortment of Haggadot. Of all the Jewish texts in existence, the story of Pesach is one that is told and retold in myriad ways. As a result, I have numerous different Haggadot from which to choose. Each one has a similar structure. Each tells the same tale of our ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom. But each one does so in its unique way. Each year, new Hagaddot are published, and each tells the seminal tale of our people in a different way.
This year is no exception.
Among the new Haggadot options this year, there are:
“Haggadah Yehi Ohr: Let There Be Light”
Rabbi Avi Weiss
Written by Rabbi Avi Weiss, the modern Orthodox rabbi who ordained the first female Orthodox rabbi, this Haggadah includes many of his insights and teachings. While deeply rooted in tradition, Rabbi Weiss made sure all of the instructions in the seder were gender inclusive!
The JewBelong Haggadah
A bit edgy and irreverent at times, this new Haggadah from Jewbelong describes the seder as “the world’s most complicated party.” The Haggadah offers a wide variety of insights, asks fun questions for discussion and debate, and includes parody songs sung to familiar melodies that will likely evoke strong reactions (I’m not saying in which direction) from the more serious seder attendees at your table.
“The Rock ’N’ Roll Haggadah: Your Guide to a Seder That Rocks!”
This Haggadah is the brainchild of Meredith Ochs, a music journalist. As one review described, “[this haggadah] is at once a novice’s guide to leading and understanding the seder, as well as an extended proof of the author’s incredible ability to insert pop music references anywhere and everywhere.” If you are looking for something different, this Haggadah may be what you need to rock your seder.
“The Office Haggadah: An Unofficial Scranton Seder”
Coming from the same creative minds that gave us the “Curb Your Haggadah, “The Meshugah Kanye Haggadah,” and “The Yadda Yadda Haggadah,” this Haggadah presents the story of Passover as if it were an episode of The Office. I’m not personally a fan, but if you are, you might want to check it out.
“The Story of the House of MaqSwel Haggadah — With Excerpts from the Torah, Talmud, Mishnah, and Kabbalah in the Original Klingon”
In “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” the leader of the Klingons states, “You have not experienced Shakespeare until you have read him in the original Klingon.”
That’s the impetus for this new Haggadah. If you ever thought, “Hey self, I want to do the seder in Klingon…” this Haggadah is for you.
These are just a few of the new Haggadot available this year. Each tells the same ancient story of our people. Each makes clear that the Exodus from Egypt was a miracle for which we should be grateful. Each reminds us of the suffering of our ancestors at the hands of the Egyptians. Each challenges us to use our freedom to help those who are not yet free. Yet each reflects the creativity and unique perspective of one corner of our evermore diverse community.
And for me, that is the point. The Haggadah that speaks to me may not speak to you. And the Haggadah that inspires you may not inspire the person who last sat next to you at services. And that is a good thing.
The Torah describes the Israelites who left Egypt as a mixed multitude. Many interpret this to mean that non-Israelites joined our community when we left Egypt. Perhaps, however, “mixed multitude” refers to the wide range of opinions held by those who escaped to freedom. Thousands of years later, the Pharaohs are gone while our community remains. And thousands of years later, we remain a mixed multitude of perspectives. When we share those differing approaches and learn from one another, we truly become a holy people.
In the small section of the Talmud known as Pirke Avot—Ethics of the Fathers—we read:
One who learns from his fellow one chapter, one halakhah, one verse, one word, or even one letter is obligated to treat him with honor. (Pirke Avot 6)
The rabbis understood that each person we meet has something to teach us. When we sit at our Passover tables next week, listen to the various perspectives held by those at the table. We may not always agree, but the greatest opportunity for learning exists in disagreements and the respectful discussion that can emerge from those differences.
Shabbat Shalom and an early Zissen Peseach,
Rabbi Daniel Cohen