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Remember, retell, recreate, and relive the Exodus experience—with the stories, rituals, foods, and songs of Pesah.
This revised and expanded edition of the classic spiritual sourcebook offers updated information, more ideas, and new resources for every aspect of the Festival of Freedom.
An inspiring and practical how-to guide, Passover clearly explains all the vital information that you need to fully honor—and to fully enjoy—this sacred celebration, including:
- History and meaning
- How to prepare, from shopping to kashering to selecting a Haggadah
- Rituals, prayers, and blessings (step by step)
- Songs and prayers in English and Hebrew (with clear transliterations)
- Innovative and imaginative new traditions to enliven your celebration
- Firsthand explanations and ideas from a variety of perspectives
- New information and ideas about how to involve everyone—from toddlers to teens to grandparents—in a meaningful Seder experience
Enriched by real-life voices sharing practical, useful suggestions and advice, this creative resource helps us to reacquaint ourselves with time-tested traditions and discover old and new ways to celebrate the birth and continuous renewal of the Jewish people.
"An excellent way to begin [Passover] preparations.... Filled with information ... with something to add to pretty much any Passover observance."
—Chicago Jewish Star
"Regardless of your level of knowledge and expertise on Passover, you will find this book THE book.... User-friendly.... Teaches ... how to personalize your seder ceremony so that it reflects both the tradition and your own interpretation of it."
—National Jewish Post & Opinion
“If this book only gave us detailed, step-by-step loving guidance on how to carry out every stage of the Seder—Dayyenu! If this book only gave us a guide to all the concepts in the Seder and how to connect this meal to the core religion and ethics of Judaism—Dayyenu! If this book only gave us some of the most creative and fun ways of celebrating the Seder and involving guests and family—Dayyenu! But in fact, Passover does all this and much, much more. Highly recommended!”
—Dr. Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, president, Jewish Life Network and founding president of CLAL—The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
“Everything you wanted to know about observing Passover.... There is so much helpful information in here that both novices and veterans in Seder-leading will be inspired.”
—Ottawa Jewish Bulletin
“Unfolds with section after section of practical tips for creating memorable—and more spiritually focused—Passover celebrations.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Fitted to the needs and wants of Jews who come from the periphery and seek to enter the center of Jewish life, this book combines the author's intelligence as a Jewish educator and his experience as a father. Sprinkled with anecdote, aphorisms and good humor, it patiently guides the reader to significant practice: what to do, why it is done and how to answer.”
—Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, Valley Beth Shalom, Encino, California
“A veritable encyclopedia of Passover and the Seder meal.... Heartily recommended.”
—Church & Synagogue Library Association
“Ron Wolfson is a master educator and Passover ... shows him at his best.... Leaving no detail unmentioned or unexplained, Wolfson enables his reader to celebrate Pesach practically, emotionally, spiritually and correctly, and to have a great time while doing so.”
—Union of Liberal & Progressive Synagogues Newsletter
Preface
Foreword
Using This Text
PART I: The Passover Seder
1. The Art of Passover: On "Making" Pesah
2. Seder Shel Pesah (The Passover Seder)
ACT ONE: The Beginning
3. Hadlakat Neirot (Candlelighting)
4. Kadesh, Urhatz (A Mnemonic)
5. Kadesh (The First Cup of Wine)
6. Urhatz (Wash Hands)
7. Karpas (Appetizer)
8. Yahatz (Break the Middle Matzah)
9. Ha Lahma Anya (Invitation)
ACT TWO: Maggid—The Tellings
Overview
10. The First Telling
Mah Nishtanah (The Four Questions)
Avadim Hayinu (We Were Slaves)
Barukh Hamakom (Praised Be He)
11. The Second Telling
Arba'ah Vanim (The Four Children)
Mitehilah Ovdei Avodah Zarah (We Were Idol-Worshippers)
Barukh Shomer/V’hi She-Amdah (Praised Be the Guardian)
12. The Third Telling
Tzei u-L’mad (Go and Learn)
Arami Oved Avi (My Father)
Eser Makot (Ten Plagues)
Dayyenu (Enough!)
13. The Fourth Telling
Rabban Gamliel Hayah Omer (Pesah, Matzah, Maror)
B’khol Dor va-Dor (In Every Generation)
L’fikhakh (Therefore, We Praise)
Halleluyah (Halleluyah)
Kos Sheini (The Second Cup of Wine)
ACT THREE: The Feast
14. Preparing to Eat: Rohtzah, Motzi/Matzah, Maror, Korekh
15. Shulhan Orekh (The Feast)
16. Tzafun (Dessert)
17. Barekh (Blessings after Food)
18. Kos Sh’lishi (The Third Cup of Wine)
ACT FOUR: Redemption
19. Shfokh Hamatkha/Eliyahu Ha-Navi (Pour Out Your Anger/Elijah the Prophet)
20. Hallel (Songs of Praise)
21. Zemirot (Songs)
22. Sefirat Ha-Omer (Counting the Omer)
23. Kos R’vi’i/Nirtzah (The Fourth Cup of Wine/Acceptance)
PART II: Preparing for Passover
24. Learning to Make Pesah
25. Organizing the Seder Service
26. Kosher for Pesah
27. The Passover Changeover
28. The Kitchen Changeover
29. The Rituals of Pesah Preparation
30. Preparing the Seder Table
31. After Pesah
Afterword
Selected Bibliography