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At this point in the Seder, traditional Jews would open the door and literally shout angry words at their enemies: " Sh'foch ha-Matcha... May God pour out His wrath on them!" It was directed toward those who had persecuted them and had accused the Jewish community of a blood libel -- of making matzoh with the blood of Christian children. Opening the door at this juncture gave the Jewish family the excuse to open the door to show that there was...

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By Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons, president and chairman respectively of the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, founded in 1989. Edits by Brandi Thompson Ullian. Courtesy of Huffington Post. At the Passover Seder, when we recall the tale of the Ten Plagues visited upon the ancient Egyptians in the Bible, it is important to remember that not all of the plagues manifested themselves in the form of physical afflictions. Rabbinic sages explain that the ninth plague -- the plague...

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To the tune of “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift: I stay up too late Got 4 cups on my brain That’s what people say, nuu-nuuu That’s what people say, nuu-nuuu I go on too many rants But I can’t make any sense At least that’s what people say, nuu nuuu That’s what people say, nuu nuuu But I keep leaning Can’t stop, won’t stop eating It’s like I got this freedom In my mind Singing, “Dayenu all night.” ‘Cause the...

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As we now transition from the formal telling of the Passover story to the celebratory meal, we once again wash our hands to prepare ourselves. In Judaism, a good meal together with friends and family is itself a sacred act, so we prepare for it just as we prepared for our holiday ritual, recalling the way ancient priests once prepared for service in the Temple. Some people distinguish between washing to prepare for prayer and washing to prepare for food by...

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(to the tune of “I Could Have Danced All Night”) I could have eaten more, I could have eaten more, but it’s afikomen time. The Seder rituals and all those victuals, the evening was sublime. I had my matzo with charoset and matzo dipped in chocolate too. I drank down all my wine and now I’m feeling fine. How good to share this meal with you!

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to the tune of “Hey Jude” Hey, Jews, don’t be afraid. You were made to Escape Mitzrayim. In Sinai, the Lord will help you to live And He will give you all some mayim. Hey, Jews, it’s time to start. God will part all The Red Sea waters. Remember, pack matzah and be real brave. God’s gonna save your sons and daughters. The Lord will free you from your pain, The whip, the chain. Have faith, and you’ll all be happy...

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By Rabbi Marc Schneier and Russell Simmons, president and chairman respectively of the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, founded in 1989. Edits by Brandi Thompson Ullian. Courtesy of Huffington Post. At the Passover Seder, when we recall the tale of the Ten Plagues visited upon the ancient Egyptians in the Bible, it is important to remember that not all of the plagues manifested themselves in the form of physical afflictions. Rabbinic sages explain that the ninth plague -- the plague...

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Passover is an educational holiday, but it can be a little -- or a lot! -- confusing for people who haven't celebrated it their whole lives. This Haggadah was created to both instruct and celebrate the holiday according to a blended tradition of Judaism and Humanism, touch upon themes of equality as they relate to all people, celebrate breaking the bonds of that which enslaved us in history and still enslaves us in the present day, and understand the message of...