Contributors

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Pennsylvania , US

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner is an American, Conservative rabbi who invites questions from those who are Jewish, those who are part of an interfaith family and anyone interested in Judaism. He has been an instructor and adviser to inter-faith couples and those converting to Judaism for 40 years. Rabbi Lerner founded two websites for the express purposes of Kiruv: (1) In-Reach to affiliated and identified members of the Jewish community in all of its congregations, arms and institutions -at www.jewishfreeware.org and (2) Outreach to dual-faith, unaffiliated and even disaffiliated individuals and families making user-friendly Jewish materials available to one and all through the web without fee at www.foundationforfamilyeducation.org.

Take Me Out to the Seder

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(sung to the tune of “Take me out to the ball game") Take us out of Egypt Free us from slavery Bake us some matzah in a haste Don't worry 'bout flavor-- Give no thought to taste. Oh it's rush, rush, rush, to the Red Sea If we don't cross it's a shame For it's ten plagues, Down and you're out At the Pesach history game

Dayeinu- A modern version

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(The following verses were written in 1988 by CLAL to continue the tradition of adding to the story of the Exodus, of making that ancient story a modern extension of our dream for a time when all of God's children will live together in peace and harmony.) Had God upheld us throughout two thousand year of Dispersion But not preserved our hope for return-- Dayenu Had God preserved our hope for return But not sent us leaders to make the dream...

The Afikoman Pledge

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(When the Afikoman is found, the following is an alternative or supplementary reading on the part of all Seder participants:) "Tonight we read together: Lo! This is the bread of poverty that our ancestors ate. Let all who are hungry come and eat! Let all who are in need share in the hope of Passover! This year we all are slaves, Next year may we all be free. Tonight, to redeem the Afikoman: We renew our commitment to help all who...

Commentary / Readings

Pesach in Bergan Belsen- 1944

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(To be recited when describing the Matzah and the Seder Plate.) The Jewish prisoners in the German concentration camp at Bergen Belsen did not have matzah for the observance of Pesach in 1944. Under the circumstances the sages at the camp permitted the eating of leavened bread for which occasion this benediction was composed: Our Father in heaven, behold it is evident and known to three that it is our desire to do they will and to celebrate the festival of...

Commentary / Readings

The Fifth Cup- in Thankfulness for Israel

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

THE FIFTH CUP - IN THANKFULNESS FOR ISRAEL (To be recited after drinking the fourth cup of wine at the conclusion of the Seder.) We read in the Talmud: These four cups correspond to the four expressions of redemption which the Torah uses in relating the events of Egypt: Vehotzeti and I shall bring forth: Vehitzalti and I shall save; Vegaalti and I shall redeem: Valakahti and I shall take. Rabbi Tarphon would add a fifth cup to correspond to Veheveti...

Commentary / Readings

The Glory of Pesach

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(From United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism collected materials by Rabbi Moshe Edelman) All three Pilgrim festivals (Pesach, Shavuot and Succot) contain elements which make of them complete joyous occasions. However, it is Pesach, more than the others, which combines all elements into a most harmonious and soul-satisfying whole. Pesach is a festival of the head. It calls upon the Jew to meditate on the ideal of freedom. It transports you back in history to the period of bondage in Egypt and...

Commentary / Readings

An Ethiopian Jew's Prayer

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(We celebrate the successful ingathering of Ethiopian Jews in the State of Israel for which they prayed and waited for so many years. We shall not forget their oppression and the modern miracle of their redemption even as they are rapidly becoming mainstream Israelis. We also want to preserve their heritage of values and liturgy.) Do not separate me, O Lord, from the chosen From the joy, from the light, from the splendor, Let me see, O Lord, the light of...

Matzah of Hope

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(The political and religious conditions for the Jews and for others who are oppressed have changed so quickly in our world. Discuss with the Seder participants how relevant this reading still is today and why it is or is not still necessary) (A fourth Matzah is added to the traditional three on the main Seder place and the following prayer is recited after "HA LACHMA ANYA" at the beginning of the Seder). This Is The Matzah of Hope: This matzah, which...

Maggid - Beginning

Let All Who Are Hungry

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(The following reading has been prepared by "MAZON: a Jewish response to hunger" to be read at "HA LACHMA ANYA":) "The words are a pledge, and the pledge is a privilege. Surrounded by the hungry and the homeless, we can redeem the pledge. This evening, so that the hungry may eat, we contribute to Mazon, A Jewish Response to Hunger, and we say, together: Barukh eloheinu sheb'tuvo he'vianu v'zikanu l'mitzvat matan mazon. Blessed is our God through whose goodness we have...

Prayer for Jewish Communities in Lands of Oppression

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

(To be recited after "HA LACHMA ANYA," "This is the bread of affliction" at the beginning of the Seder) Behold this matzah, the symbol of our affliction but also of our liberty. As we look at it let us remember our brethren everywhere who are in distress. On this festival of our freedom, may our hearts be turned to our brothers and sisters in Russia and in Arab lands who are not able to celebrate this Passover in the traditional, reclining...

Seder Questions and Answers

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

B. WHY DO WE WASH OUR HANDS PRIOR TO EATING THE VEGETABLES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEDER? The hand washing is to cleanse the fingertips before handling the vegetables and has no symbolic ritual meaning. Today, it is done merely to elicit questions from the children at the Seder. C. WHAT IS THE AFIKOMAN? It is a piece of the middle matzah set aside at the beginning of the seder (yachatz) as a substitute for the Paschal lamb and eaten...

The Meaning of Passover Symbols

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

WHY DO WE USE THE FOLLOWING? 1. Three Matzot placed separately in the sections of the special matzah cover, or in the folds of an ordinary napkin: Two of these symbolize the two loaves of bread over which a benediction is pronounced on Sabbaths and festivals. The third matzah emphasizes the unique role of the matzah in the Pesach ritual. The matzah is a symbol of the affliction of slaves in Egypt and a reminder of the haste of departure. An...

Dos and Don'ts at the Seder

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

DO start your preparations early enough. Make sure your house is sparkling clean, and your table as beautiful as possible. Invite as a guest someone who is far from his own home. DO have uniform Haggadot with good translations and perhaps transliteration for everyone at the table, in order that all can participate in the Seder without difficulty. These Haggadot are in addition to the decorative ones, or ones of special historical interest. Select, in advance, sections of the haggadot to...

Seder Checklist

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

FOR THE TABLE(S): Set out at least one Seder plate with: Karpas – celery sticks, potato pieces, cucumber Marror – grated horseradish Hazeret – bitter lettuce, Romaine Haroset – use a different recipe each Seder and for each Seder plate Zeroah – roasted bone or a roasted beet for vegetarians Beitzah – hard-boiled egg which is a little browned Small bowl(s) of saltwater should be conveniently placed near each Seder plate Set out a plate with a Matzah cover and three...

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner's Haggadah

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner's Haggadah

by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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