Over Passover? Make your Seder More Than Be-seder
DAL-E depicting my dinner (first attempt) (maybe i should make another)
This isn’t your Bubby's Seder, nor is it Uncle Ronen’s—this is the Passover Makeover!
Passover isn't just another dinner; it's meant to stand out—more festive, more reflective, and certainly more fun than your run-of-the-mill meal. But let's be honest, sometimes tradition feels a bit too... traditional. It’s easy to blindly read scripture, but it’s harder to interpret personal relationships to text. It's high time we spiced up our Seder. Why stick to the script when you can write your own?
Let's give the Seder a fabulous facelift. Welcome to the Passover Makeover!
Jewish traditions vary widely from one household to another, reflecting the rich tapestry of Jewish cultural heritage. For Passover, Mizrahi Jews playfully whip each other with scallions during the singing of "Dayenu," while Ashkenasi Jews might strictly avoid rice, legumes and other ‘carb-y’, ‘rise-y’ foods. Let’s keep building off these traditions.
Since the 1980s, some liberal households place an orange on their already crowded Seder plate, to symbolize inclusivity. Why stop there? Let’s dramatically throw away the orange peels, over our shoulders, casting out what no longer serves our community! Teach children about the Paradox of Tolerance by symbolically shredding the bitter peels of bigotry and self-hatred. That's a tradition with a twist!
Just imagine, “This peel represents the Kapos at JVP, who performatively distort our religion for political means! Be gone Shanda Jews! This peel represents the ‘pick me’ Jews, who never once identifyied as Jewish, until it became convenient for their politics. Be gone ‘pick me Jews! Your grandparents are ashamed of you.’
Most households are familiar with the four differences outlined in the Haggadah that distinguish the Seder from other nights. Here’s the brief rundown, with each twist on how we to truly embrace these distinctions.
First, the prohibition of Chametz (leavened bread) teaches us the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt. No wheat, rye, barley, oats or spelt. Why? Because it’s not allowed to ferment and rise. Just ignore the reality that most food rises when wet, or you’ll be stuck with us Ashkenasis, avoiding an elongated, equally non-comprehensive list of foods.
Matzah may be the star of the show, but few dream about this dry, crumbly cracker all year. The Ultra Orthodox themselves do not eat matzah daily. Yet the secular and Modern Orthodox obsess over the flavor-less snack. They drench Matzah with tomato sauce and cheese, or layers of chocolate and wine, or even deep fry it with eggs. Who are you tricking here? Your stomachs will remain constipated for more than eight nights over this, “I Definitely Can Believe It’s Not Bread” obsession.
In our modern take, you crunch through just a bit of Matzah quickly, like you're actually on the run. Don’t clean up the crumbs. Wash it down the cool way, with a squeezable Gatorade bottle.
Second, the tradition of bitter herbs, intended to remind us of the bitterness of slavery. Yet in many Western diets, romaine lettuce is pretty standard fare, and horseradish is associated with knock off wasabi. Let’s jazz it up with an Asian-inspired spicy salad, like the fiery Tiger Salad from NYC’s Xi'an Famous Foods. That's a refreshing take that will wake up any Seder table. (Recipes are included below.)
Third, there’s the least understood dichotomy: a mysterious seating rule. I suppose most families don’t consider this rule at all. Every year, I debate my family on this particularity anyways.
Is it about sitting in a circle? That’s what the Hebrew Hagadah translation sounds like. There’s no clear mention of reclining. I just can’t imagine we are supposed to have a rectangular table for 357 days of the year, then suddenly pull out the round table for Seders.
The Talmud teaches that we recline during Passover meals to symbolize freedom, a stark contrast to the oppression our ancestors faced. In observant Jewish practice, there are traditions of reclining to the left side during certain parts of the meal, like when drinking wine and eating matzah. This comes from Talmud, the ultimate evidence of endless Jewish debate and disagreement. In the Talmud, Tractate Pesachim, 108a, the Hebrew text from the Talmud says:
כָּל שָׁעָה שֶׁאָדָם אוֹכֵל צָרִיךְ שֶׁיַּטּוֹת, חוּץ מִבִּזְמַן הַזֶּה, שֶׁאֵין אוֹכְלִין אוֹתוֹ אֶלָּא מַטּוֹתִין, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהוּא לֶחֶם חֵרוּת
or, "Whenever a person eats, he may recline or not, but during this time (Passover Seder), we eat it (the matzah) only while reclining, because it is the bread of freedom."
Reclining at the Seder is a deliberate act. I say we lean into it. Out with the rigid chairs! Grab our cushion and recline like royalty. Imagine laying on plush carpets and cozy couches, with Bubby ruling like a queen and Uncle Ronen lounging like a king, fed grapes off the vine, surrounded by a fortress of pillows. Now that’s what I call Freedom, volume 5784. In the new Seder, freedom means comfort, and comfort is king.
Fourth and finally, there’s the favorite difference among the Jewish sot: the Four Cups of Wine. Each cup represents an expression of redemption promised by G-d. This highlights the celebratory and redemptive nature of the meal.
I went to Chabbad growing up, so four cups of wine… and a few shots of vodka… and then maybe another glass of wine… doesn’t seem all too unique. At many Shabbats, the wine, often manischewitz, is too sweet, as if someone poured sugar into it. As Frasier would say, “It’s dreadful!”
Why not make it truly special? The final tradition should remind you of a “flight of beers” from a hipster brewery. Serve the wine in a reverse order—starting with the robust reds and ending with the sweet whites, perfectly pairing with our story. Now, that's a celebration of freedom!
As we head into this year's festivities, let’s not just recount the story of Exodus; let’s live it with every spicy bite, every relaxed recline, and every sip of wine. This Passover, make your Seder more than just beseder—make it unforgettable. These are, of course, examples for you to play on. Now, let’s dive into some recipes to bring this makeover to life!
The Menu
Asian-Inspired Bitter Herb Salad (Tiger Salad)
Forget the mundane bitter herbs. This year, we take a leaf from the vibrant, spicy world of Xi'an Famous Foods to create a Tiger Salad that truly bites back. It's not just about fulfilling a ritual; it's about enjoying it!
Ingredients: 2 cups of thinly sliced kohlrabi, 1 cup of julienned carrots, 2 cups of sliced cucumbers, 1 cup of fresh mint, 1 cup of cilantro, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped horseradish.
Dressing: Combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce (Kosher for Passover), 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon of honey in a bowl.
Preparation: Toss all vegetables and herbs in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with dressing and mix well. Serve chilled.
Asian-Persian Matzah Ball Soup
Start your Seder with a bowl of warmth that marries Persian zest with Asian subtlety.
Broth: Make a chicken broth infused with saffron and turmeric, then add a hint of ginger and star anise for that Asian undertone.
Matzah Balls: Mix matzah meal with beaten eggs, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Roll into balls and drop them into the simmering broth until they float and are fluffy.
Serve with: A sprinkle of chopped scallions and a few drops of sesame oil for an unforgettable finish.
Dessert: Saffron-Infused Passover Cheesecake
End on a high note with a cheesecake that breaks all the rules—except the kosher ones.
Crust: Crushed almond macaroons, mixed with coconut oil, pressed into the bottom of a pan.
Filling: Blend cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and a pinch of saffron for an exotic flavor.
Cooking: Bake at 325°F until just set, about 45 minutes. Cool and then refrigerate overnight.
Topping: Garnish with pistachios and a drizzle of honey before serving.
This Passover, let’s not just recount the story of liberation; let’s embody it with every bite, every recline, and every tossed orange peel. Here’s to a Seder that truly makes you feel free—free to enjoy, free to innovate, and free to recline (a lot)! Chag Sameach!
