The emotions of this entire, traumatic, and unprecedented time that we’re all experiencing during this pandemic, are not necessarily so different from the experiences of our ancestors at the time of the Exodus from Egypt. When the ancient Israelites sat quarantined inside their homes, around their dinner tables, on the eve of their redemption, they too were scared and anxious about what was occurring outside, and about what the future would bring. They didn’t have the answers at hand so they turned to their new traditions and faith in God. They ate symbolic foods, they recited meaningful words, and were surrounded by the people they loved most. The Passover seder as we know it today, was created as an improvisational tool to help us fulfill our obligation to literally “feel as if we too had left Egypt.”

Pineapple: A pineapple, whose exterior is hard, rough and protective of its sweet and delicious inside, reminds me of the physical appearance of our first responders in their surgical gowns, plastic face shields, and life-saving masks as they battle daily. The care, compassion and sweetness in their hearts to save lives is hidden beneath their protective armor. By placing a pineapple on or near our seder plate, we can express our gratitude for the great lengths that our first responders go to in order to keep us and our families healthy and safe every day. This pineapple symbolizes the hope that they will have all that they need to do their jobs safely.

Banana: The ripening of a banana has three distinct stages — when it is unripe and green; when it is perfectly yellow and delicious; and when it is overripe and spotted brown. As we go through these days of staying at home, we too go through distinct stages of how we handle the isolation and make efforts to stay connected to the outside world. Like bananas that soften as they ripen, we too, as a community, have softened and opened our hearts to new possibilities and opportunities to connect with one another. But also like bananas, whose peels remain intact to protect the fruit inside from exposure, regardless of its ripened-status, so too we continue to maintain our social distance as we work together to flatten the curve.


haggadah Section: Introduction