Seder night is all about unlocking the art of creativity. Here’s a simple way to spice up your seder night with a dramatic flavor. If you look closely, much of the Hagaddah is written like a script, and you could ask everyone to read a part: 

NARRATOR:

It happened that Rabbi Eliezer, Rabbi Yehoshua, Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah, Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarphon were reclining [at a seder] in B'nei Berak. They were discussing the exodus from Egypt all that night, until their students came and told them: 

STUDENTS: Our Masters! The time has come for reciting the morning Shema!

NARRATOR:  Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah said: 

RABBI ELAZAR:I am like a man of seventy years old, yet I did not succeed in proving that the exodus from Egypt must be mentioned at night-until Ben Zoma explained it: 

BEN ZOMA:    It is said, `That you may remember the day you left Egypt all the days of your life;'

RABBI ELAZAR: Now `the days of your life' refers to the days, and the additional word `all' indicates the inclusion of the nights!"

Now you’ve started the script reading, it’s time to ask each of the actors questions about their character. Encourage everyone to make up their answers but stay in character – this is the art of CREATING MIDRASH. Here are some questions that you can ask them. The only rule…enjoy it!

• What did Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah look like? Describe him. Did you like him?

• What was it like living under the Romans?

• I’ve heard that you are all hiding in the cave whilst on the run – please can you describe the cave to me?

• What did you used to do before the Romans came to Israel?

• Your students have just come in to tell you it’s time to say the Shema – why didn’t you realize? 

• Please could you stand on one foot and tell the whole story of leaving Egypt in as few words as possible? (you can sing it if you’d like).

 Marcus J Freed is a studio-trained yogi, yeshiva-trained educator, published author and classically-trained actor.   Check out more Kosher Sutras at www.bibliyoga.com or email [email protected] to receive your free weekly Kosher Sutra. Discover more about his general programs at www.marcusjfreed.com.


haggadah Section: Commentary / Readings
Source: Bibliyoga.com