Opuscula Listener comprehension Story teller's obligation

 

R. Marc Angle, in Jewish Ideals for Friday, April 4 2014 notes, almost in passing, that Famously, the Hagadah includes instructions on dealing with children with different aptitudes and interests. The challenge is to feel and transmit the vast group Exodus experience of antiquity on an individual level.

As a former newspaper reporter and editor, and later as a technical writer, I know, possibly better than most, that it is the obligation of the person presenting information to make it understandable to the person receiving the information.

It is not the obligation of the reader/listener to "interrupt" what was written/said.

Not all of us are comfortable with the Hagadah's Hebrew with bits of Aramaic to add flavor (or a gnashing of the teeth), so we depend on translations into a language most of us understand. But maybe not.

For a brief look at the Hagadah's linguistic history read Why is the Hagadah written in Hebrew?

Certainly some of the translations are "over the heads" of some of the younger participants at the seder. (Unfortunately, given the level of English comprehension in the U.S., the words may be beyond the capabilities of some "educated" adults as well as the children.)

The Hagadah's raison d'etre is to retell the story of our exodus from Egypt. Note I wrote, most deliberately, our exodus. The Hagadah tells us early on that עבדים היינו במצרים Slaves we were in Egypt. Every good story teller knows if the audience fails to comprehend the story's meaning, the audience's time has been wasted and the story teller's effort was simply wasted energy.

Rather than racing through the Hagadah as most of us do, maybe it would be wise to set some rules for the reading before we ask ?מה משתנה. Maybe set some time for questions and comments at certain points in the evening. Alternatively, the host might prepare some age-appropriate questions.

Back to R. Angel's article.

It begins with R. Angel quoting from Nobel Prize winning Sephardic author, Elias Canetti's book "Crowds and Power." Canetti wrote of the tremendous diversity among Jews. He theorizes: “One is driven to ask in what respect these people remain Jews; what makes them into Jews; what is the ultimate nature of the bond they feel when they say "I am a Jew"....This bond...is the Exodus from Egypt.” Canetti suggests that the Israelites’ formative experience as a vast crowd leaving Egypt is the key to understanding the nature of Jewish peoplehood. As long as Jews—however different they are from each other—share historical memories of the Exodus from Egypt, they continue to identify as members of one people. We are bound together by the shared experience of redemption.

While agreeing with Canetti, R. Angel notes that Yet, the Hagadah does not focus only on the “vast crowd” experience, but conscientiously strives to personalize the story to the level of each individual. “In every generation one must see him/herself as though he/she personally had come forth from Egypt.” The Hagadah tells stories about particular lessons taught by individual rabbis. It teaches that we have not fulfilled our obligation unless each of us speaks of Pessah, Matsah and Maror.

At the seder table we may be a "large crowd" but we still are individually obliged - men and women alike - to recall why we were redeemed both individually and collectively.

 

By the way, why is the Hallel split up into two sections during the seder?

In his commentary Zevach Pesach on the Hagadah, the great Spanish scholar Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437–1508) answers this question. To read Hakham Abarbanel's answer visit Why do we divide the Hallel into two at the Passover Seder?

Opuscula A few ideas to help Keep peace @ the seder

The article is titled 10 Tips for De-Stressing Your Thanksgiving, but many of the "tips" are valid for Passover's seders as well; some require a little editorial license, but all are worth a quick read.

The first recommendation is to "Focus on the meaning of the holiday. That means. According to Health Central:
The whole gist of this holiday is to connect with family and to count your blessings. It is not to cook the perfect meal or to have perfectly behaved child (although that would be nice sometimes). Take the time to laugh and have fun with your family. Be grateful for the happy moments.

Actually, the "gist" of the seder is to connect with the entire Jewish family - from the יציאת מצרים (the exodus from Egypt) to Jews today, wherever they may be on the globe. If there is enough to eat - and in most homes there will be more than enough - and if the hagadah is read without too many "But my rabbi said…" comments or "My mother used to grind her own horseradish and it was (pick an adjective) than tonight's, then welcome Elijah to שלום בית (a peaceful home).

Suggestions Numbers 2 and 7 seem to be contradictory, but maybe not.

Number 2 instructs Get outside and continues There is nothing which will drive a hyperactive child or adult more stir crazy than sitting in the house all day. Take a walk, play some touch football, go bike riding if the weather permits, play in the snow if it is snowing outside, but do get outside even if you have to bundle up. These, of course, are pre-sundown activities.

Number 7, titled Let your child be part of the meal preparation will at lest put extra hands to the task - both boys and girls can learn what goes into preparing a Passover meal, and usually, both boys and girls are more than willing to help out. The suggestion, after some editing, reads Children are much more likely to eat something that they had a hand in creating. Let your child help as they are able.

Suggestion Number 4 encourages Make merry with music. For us, that means practicing the Pesach favorites:

  *  הודו (Hodu)

  *  אחד מי יודע? (Who knows one?)

  *  חד גדיא (Had Gad'ya)

  *  אדיר הוא (Ader Who)

If some words are "mangled" or completely changed, go with it. Who knows, a new Passover tradition may have just been created.

Suggestion Number 6 is for anyone who travels with restless passengers anytime of the year. Basically, If traveling, pack an activity bag. Every parent should know that, but "just in case." It might be wise to also carry some pillows for sleepy passengers (of all ages). The Web site suggests Bring things like small toys, crayons, markers, and paper. You can pack an electronic game or even a small DVD player. The goal is to give them some independent activities to keep them busy during the less lively parts of your visit. Make certain also to pack non-electronic toys - the first day(s) of Pesach are "like Shabat" and, for the more observant, electrical - including battery operated - toys and devices remain tuned off - just like the cell phones.

Tip Number 8 builds on Number 6 and tells us to Play some games!. Some children like physically active games. There is twister and limbo as well as indoor bowling with plastic pins and ball. There are foam dart board games as well as magnetic fishing. Some other hands on games especially for younger kids are Hungry Hippos, Ants in the Pants, Don't Break the Ice and Mouse Trap. Keep in mind that the kids need to (try to) stay awake until they find the afekomin and everyone exclaims שנה הבאה בירושלים! (Next year in Jerusalem).

Tip Number 9 says Reward good behavior and suggests that parents (and wise hosts) Go to a dollar store and buy small toys and trinkets to give to your child at certain intervals for good behavior. Some good choices might be Slinkys and coloring books. You'll need a prize for whoever finds the afekomin anyway, but it's wise to have something for all the children of all ages.

Finally, Health Central recommends having what it calls a Cool Down Zone,, a place where the child can temporarily "get away from it all." There might be an "antsy" adult that would be prefect as a chaperone to read age-appropriate books or help with puzzles, flash cards, etc.