Thursday, April 17, 2008

The "Crash Course" Seder

Ideally, one should go slowly through the entire Haggadah, stopping at important points to teach valuable insights. However, there are invariably many unique situations (such as leading a seder for the uninitiated or wanting to involve young children) that will require the sensitivity of the leader to efficiently move through the Seder. Sometimes the best option is to do a Seder as usual and allow guests to come and leave as they please. Therefore, before one decides to use these leniencies, one should discuss the situation with your local rabbi. Below is a listing of the minimum amount that one must say from the Haggadah and still fulfill all the biblical and rabbinic requirements of the Seder.

NOTE: Page numbers are taken from the “Artscroll Family Haggadah.”

1. Pg. 19 Sing “Kadesh Urchatz” – the 15 steps of Seder

2. Pg. 20-21 Kiddush – the 1st cup of wine

3. Pg. 22-23 Urchatz, Karpas

4. Pg. 24-25 Yachatz / “Ha Lachma Anya” / “Ma Nishtana”

5. Pg. 26-27 Sing “Avadim Hayinu”

6. Pg. 30-31 Sing “Vehi SheAmda”

7. Pg. 32-33 Bold Lines of “Arami Oveid Avi” & “Vayarai’u”

8. Pg. 34-35 Bold Lines of “Vanitzak” & “Vayotzianu”

9. Pg. 36-37 Bold Line of “Dam VaAish”

10. Pg. 37-38 Bold Lines of Ten Plaques & “D’tzach Adash B’Achav”

11. Pg. 40-43 Sing a few Stanzas from the beginning and end of “Dayeinu”

If you are really pressed for time, you may skip steps # 6-11

12. Pg. 42-45 This is the most important: Read the section “Raban Gamliel” and the following 3 Paragraphs of Pesach, Matza, and Maror

13. Pg. 46-49 Read the 3 Paragraphs of “Halleluya”, “BeTzeis”, & the blessings (including the 2nd cup of wine)

14. Pg. 48-51 Rachtza, Motzi Matza, Maror, Korech

Eat the Meal & Afikoman

15. Pg. 54-64 Birchas Hamazon, 3rd Cup of Wine, and “Shfosh Chamoscha”

16. Sing any of the Selections From the Hallel such as:

Pg. 64-64 “Hashem Zecharanu”

Pg. 66-67 “Hodu LaHashem” / “Min Hameitzar”

Pg. 68-69 “Pisvh Li” / Ana Hashem” / “Ay-li Ata”

Pg. 70-71 Selected lines from “Hodu LaHashem”

Pg. 74-75 “Yishtabach”

17. Pg. 76-79 4th Cup of Wine, Sing “Chasal Siddur Pesach” & “Leshana Haba’ah”

18. Pg. 90-91 Sing “Chad Gadya”

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