Evening journal., 1920-04-02
'SEDER SERVICE
ISEXPLAINED
Rabbi David B. Swiren Tells
of Origin of Religious
Festival

The April issue Of the News Letter"
the official publication Of the Y. NJ. H.
a. contains the following article by
Rabbi David B. Swiren, OF the Adas
Kodesch Synagogue
THE Sedar service is the pride OF
our people, full Of life and fascination,
which infuse new hope into every
Jewish heart. 1t IS not at all new ia
us. It dates from ancient times. It was
instituted as a memorial Of the de-
parture OF the lsraelites from Egypt.
In years bygone, when our people
lived on their own soil, in the Holy
Land, the Seder service was the mos1
charming. the most inspiring cere-
mony. Within the compass Of one
city, the City Of Jerusalem, all cele-
brated this unrivaled ceremony. King
and peasant. high priest and laborer,
master and slave, rich and poor, edu-
Gated and uneducated, all OF them fol-
lowed out the same order OF service,
the same Seder. The physical and the
moral, the intellectual and the spirit
nal elements blended into one harmon
ious whole All of them partook Of the
same dishes and banqueted on the same
fare.
"All OF them were made to feel as
though they were one large family
and gathered to celebrate family fes-
tival There was none who had not
enjoyed the Passover services. Even
the poor were not deprived Of the
seder. On the day preceding Passover.
Tie streets Of Jerusalem were ringing
with the hearty invitation az whoever
Is in nerd let him come in and partake
OF the Passover festivities. The doors
OF every Jewish house stood wide open
an,l BE poor weTs readily 2 limited and
10 distinction was felt between hest
md guest.
.The Paschal Sacrifice, which consti-
tuled one OF the main features OF the
Seder service, helped much TO brins
the poor closer to the rich. The Pas
chal Sacrifice consisted OF a lamb,
whose blood was sprinkled on the al
tar and whose flesh was eaten at
home The flesh was to be consumed
entirely before dawn. As each fam
lily was in duty bound TO offer a whole
lamb the small family found IL i'm
possible 70 consume a whole lamb IN
one single night. Hence, the small
families were only TOO happy 70 in
vite some poor Jews to the Seder
table In The course OF time the poor
We're looked upon as members OF the
family, and the spirit Of benevolence
and brotherhood prevailed every
where.
"Of course. during our wanderings In
foreign lands. many OF - our ancient
ceremonies disappeared and with them
was lost much Of the charm and in
spiratiOn OF the Seder. Yet the oeder
service Is still unequaled. No other
ceremony can compare with 1t and no
other people can boast Of it. II is still
full of life and vigor, charm and inspir-
alton. It is still marked by a spirit Of
benevolence and brotherhood. The
bread of poverty, the Mszah and the
bitter herbs which still constitute
GONE OF the main features Of the Seder
are still maintained.
"As the wealthy eat the same food
as the poor, a spirit OF brotherhood
seizes upon their hearts. They all come
to the realization that there is, after
all. no real distinction between those
who have accumulated wealth and
those who earn but a scanty livelihood.
They are all made to feel that God Is
the Lord OF all, alike Of the poor and
the rich. Hymns OF redemption all
merrlly sing, Queen is each mother.
each father a king"
"And the rising generation TO par
take the Seder service. They, too,
taste of the Matzah and OF the bitter
herbs. They. ask questions and the
father replies: They drink wine and
chant the Psalms OF Praise The Seder
service reviyes old memories and re-
iuyinates us. II not only recalls TO our
minds our past, but bids us fortify our
selves for the future. II strengthens our
spirit of brotherhood and infuses new
hope within us. II calls forth our
noblest sentiments and inspires US with
the loftiest thoughts.
therefore. even II we were all
learned. all having knowledge in the
laws. IL nevertheless would be incum-
bent upon us 70 recount the departure
from Egypt. In other words, even IL
we had reached the highest point Of
intelligence. we would still be bound
10 observe the Seder. For so long as
we, desire TO remain Jews and act in
Ihe real Jewish spirit. so long we must
retain this sublime ceremony. So long
as we wish 20 bear worthily the name
Of Jew. so long we must maintain this
Inspiring order Of service