I would like to share my reflections with you about the holiday of Passover which we celebrated in April on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Weeks in advance, we start organizing the process of cleaning our kitchens and homes for the Festival of Freedom from Egyptian Bondage when we must act as if we personally were enslaved in Mitzrayim (Egypt). While embarking on our chores of cleaning our kitchen - its surfaces, appliances, and cabinets - we transition from a symbolic period of “chametz” (leavened bread) to “matzah” (unleavened bread). The cleaning, which is a heavy burden, and can be likened unto the burden of slavery, brings us into a period of redemption, freedom and renewal. Once the cleaning is accomplished, we can focus on the study of the Haggadah and preparation of our Seder, both with symbolic food, joyous song, and meaningful conversation.
The first part of the Seder lasts about an hour as we explain the symbolic foods on the Seder Plate, recite the “Ma Nishtanah” (Four Questions), tell the story of the Exodus and partake of the Matzah, Maror and Charoset. Then we eat the Festival Meal during which everyone marvels at the delicious food, and enjoys socializing with invited guests. The “Birkat Hamazon” (Grace after Meals) can be sung by all and can be shortened. Then, of course, how can we not open the door for Elijah! While we sing “Eliyahu Hanavi,” we hope and pray that Elijah will be the forerunner of a world full of freedom and peace for all. This segues into the section in our modern day Haggadot for the remembrance of the Holocaust. We sing “Ani Ma-a-min” as we express our perfect faith in the coming of the Messiah, and “even though he may tarry, we still believe.” The remainder of the “Hallel” (Psalms of Praise) follow, but since we do this at services in the morning, I would recommend that the “Hallel HaGadol” (Great Hallel) be read responsively in English. At the conclusion of the Seder, we drink the fourth cup of wine and say: “L’Shana Haba-ah B’Yirushalayim” (Next year in Jerusalem).
Then comes my favorite part of the Seder – all of the concluding songs: “Ki Lo Naeh,” “Adir Hu,” “Echad Mi Yodea” and “Chad Gad Ya.” The Dean of my Cantorial School, Rabbi Morton Leifman, taught us “Chad Gad Ya” (“A Tzigeleh”) and “Echad Mi Yodea” (“Vos is Eyns Badoit?”) in Yiddish. We also learned the Ladino version of “Ehad Mi Yodea” (“Quien Supiese Y Entendiense – Cualo es el Uno?) There is nothing more beautiful to me than singing in the languages of all of our Jewish traditions. When the songs really get going, everyone sings passionately and pounds on the table to the beat! If you’ve ever been to Jewish Summer Camps like Ramah, Eisner or Young Judea or have attended Kadima and USY Shabbatons, you will know exactly what I am referring to.
If you have parents or grandparents who come from Europe or Israel, sit down one day and record the way they chant the Seder. It is very important that we preserve our Jewish musical traditions and carry them forward to the next generation as well as create our own new musical traditions.
It is also fun to use musical instruments during the Seder such as tambourines and the “darbouka” (Israeli hand held drum). I am hoping to give a workshop before Pesach next year to teach the Congregation the songs that I love so much.
B’Shira,
Cantor Marla Barugel
Thank you to Torah and Haftarah Readers April 2009
April 4th – Bat Mitzvah of Danielle Cooper – Ellen Greenberg (Danielle’s Aunt), Brad Cooper (Dad), Bonnie Cooper (Mom), Danielle Cooper (Torah and Haftarah).
April 9th – 1st Day of Passover – Jeffrey Sussman, Ilana Olefson, Rebecca Handlin, Jason Zukus, Gloria Landy, Haftarah – Rebecca Handlin.
April 11th – Shabbat Hol Hamoed Shel Pesach – Pat Fire, Chuck Edman, Cantor Barugel, Rob Fire, Gloria Landy, Haftarah – Joel Whitman.
April 15th – Seventh Day of Passover – Sam Warshauer (5 Torah portions including the Song of the Sea), Cantor Barugel, Haftarah – Sam Warshauer
April 18th – Pat Fire, Rob Fire, Arthur Liberman, Dr. Moshe Segal, Cantor Barugel, Haftarah – Dr. Moshe Segal
April 25th – Bar Mitzvah of Jordan Blank – Pat Fire, Rob Fire, Arthur Liberman, Cantor Barugel, Jodi Woolley, Dr. Moshe Segal, Jordan Blank (Torah and Haftarah).