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A Seder of Chaos

© Beth Lewis

Passover with my extended family is a classic mixture of joy and chaos that you have to see to believe. As Passover approaches, preparations begin and expectations heighten for the family traditions of simcha and supper. After solving the eternal problem of whose home will host the Seder, we must next solve the problem of securing enough chairs to seat all of the guests. For us, even the smallest family gathering is at least thirty people, and the event of Passover quickly adds at least a dozen more. The joy and warmth of my husband's family, in combination with my mother-in-law's out-of-this-world Matzah Ball Soup, is enough to attract even the most distant acquaintance to our Seder table. I can't say I blame them.

The card tables are placed end to end extending the entire length of the living room. The beautifully dressed table is adorned with Haggadahs of at least three different types. The wine glasses are full and the Seder Plate awaits action. Typically, a Rabbi who is a friend of the family leads the Seder rituals, choosing participants and helping guests follow along.

The kitchen bustles with female activity, filling dozens of soup bowls with Matzoh Balls and putting the finishing touches on the extravagant and sure-to-be delicious meal. At the table, mouths water while crunching on dry matzah, offering a little taste of the coming week's diet.

Now, you might be thinking, "This doesn't sound too chaotic. What was she talking about?" Well, just imagine almost everyone talking at once, making exuberant comments to the group or complaining about their hunger. Young adults reminisce out loud about what Seders were like when they were children. Adults fight over who gets to recite which part of the Seder. Each guest is commanded to drink four glasses of wine, as part of the observance of Pesach. The alcohol, in combination with the normal hyperactivity of the family, makes for quite an energetic and unpredictable scene.

And then there are the accidents. For example, last year our Seder routine was interrupted by the fire alarm as the lamb caught fire in the oven. No one was hurt, but this event will certainly go down in Lewis family history as unforgettable, yet fairly typical, Seder fun.

I don't know if other Jewish families experience their Seders in quite the same chaotic way, but I imagine there is an element of craziness to all Jewish gatherings. Our traditions emphasize joy in God, appreciation of family, and an inflated adoration of great food - all things to get excited about! I recently heard the following summary of Jewish holiday observance:

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