Prompt: What is a Passover Seder? 

Chat GPT: A Passover Seder is a ritual meal that is held on the first and/or second night of the Jewish holiday of Passover. The word "Seder" means "order" in Hebrew, and refers to the specific order of the ceremony that is followed.

During the Seder, participants retell the story of the Jewish people's exodus from Egypt, which is central to the Passover holiday. The Seder is structured around the reading of the Haggadah, a special text that tells the story of Passover and includes prayers, songs, and instructions for the various symbolic foods and rituals that are part of the meal.

The Seder plate is a key element of the Passover Seder. It contains six symbolic foods that represent different aspects of the story of Passover, such as bitter herbs to symbolize the bitterness of slavery, and a shank bone to represent the sacrificial lamb that the Jewish people ate before leaving Egypt.

Throughout the Seder, participants sing traditional songs, recite prayers, and engage in symbolic actions that help to bring the story of Passover to life. The goal of the Seder is to create a sense of connection to Jewish history and tradition, and to pass on the story of the Jewish people's liberation from slavery to future generations.

The seder officially begins with a physical act: lighting the candles.  In Jewish tradition, lighting candles and saying a blessing over them marks a time of transition, from the day that is ending to the one that is beginning, from ordinary time to sacred time.  Lighting the candles is an important part of our Passover celebration because their flickering light reminds us of the importance of keeping the fragile flame of freedom alive in the world.

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha'olam asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with laws and commanded us to light the festival lights.

As we light the festival candles, we acknowledge that as they brighten our Passover table, good thoughts, good words, and good deeds brighten our days.

Kadesh: Blessings over Cup #1 of wine and marking sacred time.

Urchatz: Ritually washing hands without offering a blessing.

Karpas: Eating green vegetable dipped in salt-water.

Yachatz: Breaking the middle matzah (of the ceremonial 3) to create the Afikoman.

Maggid: Telling the story. Why is this night different? 4 sons! 10 plagues! Enough already! Pascal lamb, matzah and bitter herb explanations. Cup #2.

Rachtzah: Ritually washing hands with a blessing before breaking bread.

Motzi: Blessing over bread.

Matzah: Blessing over matzah. Eat matzah.

Maror: Blessing over the bitter herbs. Eat bitter herbs.

Korech: Eating a sandwich of matzah and bitter herbs.

Shulchan Orech: Festive Meal.

Tzafun: Finding / ransoming / eating the Afikoman.

Barech: Blessing After Meals. Cup #3. Elijah.

Hallel: Singing psalms of praise. Cup #4.

Nirtzah: Seder ends. Next year in Jerusalem. Drinking songs.

Prompt: Write me a poetic introduction for a Passover Haggadah. 

Chat GPT: 

Gather 'round dear ones, it's that time of year

When the story of Passover draws near

A tale of triumph, of struggle and of pain

Of a people's freedom, hard-won again and again

With matzo and wine, we'll retell the tale

Of Moses, of Pharaoh, of the Red Sea's gale

Of plagues and miracles, of a nation's birth

And the lessons we've learned, passed down through the earth

We'll sing and we'll pray, we'll eat and we'll share

We'll remember the past, and show that we care

For the future that's yet to unfold in our hands

As we gather together, united as one band

So let us begin, this Passover night

With hearts full of joy, and spirits so bright

As we open our Haggadah, and join in the refrain

Of "Dayenu", "Let My People Go", and the blessings we proclaim.

Prompt: Can you re-write the blessing over the wine in Shakespearean English?

Chat GPT: Certainly, here's my attempt

Hark! Raise the cup, whose ruby glow

Doth shine like gems on monarch's brow,

Let man and maid, with joy aglow,

Give thanks and raise their voices now.

Beneath this crimson hue, we see

A symbol of God's love so free,

Who led our fathers from slavery,

To freedom's land, where we are free.

So let us drink, and blessings say,

To God, whose might did pave the way,

And on this sacred, joyous day,

Let grateful hearts forever sway.

LET’S MAKE THIS MOMENT SPECIAL!

Optional activity:

Take a selfie or a screenshot on Zoom. Post it to Facebook or Instagram with #Friendseder and tag us (@meetyouatthewell on Facebook or @friendseder on Instagram)! 

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Borei Pri HaGafen.

We acknowledge the Unity of All, and express gratitude for the fruit of the vine.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמַן הַזֶה

Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam Shehechiyanu V’kiyemanu V’higiyanu La’zman Ha’zeh.

We acknowledge the Unity of All, and express gratitude for being alive,

for having what we need, and for reaching this moment in time.

Drink Cup #1 of wine/juice.

Discussion Questions:

What elevates / differentiates moments for you? A particular food? Drink? Music? Scent? Clothing choice?

Prompt: Can you write me a haiku about washing your hands?

Chat GPT: 

Water flows serene,

Cleansing away dirt and grime,

Purity restored.

Prompt: How would you describe washing your hands to someone who has never seen water before?

Chat GPT: If I were to describe washing hands to someone who has never seen water before, I would use simple language and try to paint a vivid picture in their mind.

I might say something like: 

"Imagine that your hands are covered in dirt or sticky substance that makes them feel unclean. Now imagine a clear liquid, like raindrops falling from the sky, pouring over your hands. As the water flows over your skin, it takes away the dirt and stickiness, leaving your hands feeling fresh and pure. Washing your hands with water is a way to cleanse yourself, both physically and spiritually, and prepare for important rituals and gatherings."

I would also use hand gestures and facial expressions to emphasize the importance of the act, and perhaps show them how to cup their hands and let the water flow over them. By using simple language and vivid imagery, I hope to convey the concept of handwashing and its significance in a way that is relatable and understandable to someone who has never seen water before.

Prompt: Will you write me a song about Karpas?

Chat GPT: Sure, here's my attempt at a Karpas song!

The song can be sung to a variety of tunes, but I had a simple and upbeat melody in mind when writing it. If you're familiar with the tune of "Bingo" or "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain," those could work well with the rhythm and meter of the lyrics. But feel free to sing it to any tune that you think fits the mood and message of the song!

(Verse 1)

Oh Karpas, Karpas, on the Seder plate

A simple green, a symbol so great

We dip you in salt water and take a bite

And remember our ancestors' bitter plight

(Chorus)

Karpas, Karpas, we taste your greens

And recall the bitter times and what they mean

But with joy in our hearts, we celebrate

Our freedom and the hope that we create

(Verse 2)

Oh Karpas, Karpas, you represent

The springtime that brings new life, so heaven-sent

As we dip you in the water, we recall

The tears our ancestors shed, and how they'd fall

(Chorus)

Karpas, Karpas, we taste your greens

And recall the bitter times and what they mean

But with joy in our hearts, we celebrate

Our freedom and the hope that we create

(Bridge)

As we gather with our loved ones here

We honor our past and hold our future dear

With Karpas on the plate and in our hearts

We bless the journey that we've had thus far

(Chorus)

Karpas, Karpas, we taste your greens

And recall the bitter times and what they mean

But with joy in our hearts, we celebrate

Our freedom and the hope that we create.

Passover, like many of our holidays, combines the celebration of an event from our Jewish memory with a recognition of the cycles of nature. As we remember the liberation from Egypt, we also recognize the stirrings of spring and rebirth happening in the world around us. The symbols on our table bring together elements of both kinds of celebration.

We now take a vegetable, representing our joy at the dawning of spring after our long, cold winter, and dip it into salt water, a symbol of the tears our ancestors shed as slaves. Before we eat it, we recite a short blessing:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree ha-adama.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruits of the earth.

We look forward to spring and the reawakening of flowers and greenery. They haven’t been lost, just buried beneath the snow, getting ready for reappearance just when we most needed them.

Prompt: Pretend you're a university professor that's trying to entertain a bunch of bored 18-year-olds, and teach me about Yachatz.

Chat GPT: Well, well, well, 18-year-olds, I hope you are ready to learn about one of the most exciting parts of the Passover Seder - the Yachatz!

Now, I know that some of you may be thinking, "Yachatz? What's that?" But trust me, by the end of this lecture, you'll be Yachatz experts, and you'll be impressing your friends and family at your next Passover Seder.

So, let's get started. Yachatz is the third step of the Passover Seder, where the middle matzah on the Seder plate is broken in half. One half is set aside as the afikomen, which will be eaten at the end of the Seder. The other half is returned to the Seder plate.

But why do we break the matzah in half, you may ask? Well, breaking the matzah is a symbolic act that represents the division and fragmentation of the Jewish people during their time in slavery in Egypt. The broken matzah also represents the brokenness and suffering of humanity, and the hope for wholeness and redemption.

Now, here's where it gets even more interesting. The afikomen, which is the half of the matzah that is set aside, represents the future redemption of the Jewish people and the hope for a brighter future. The afikomen is hidden during the Seder, and the children present are encouraged to search for it. The one who finds the afikomen is then rewarded with a prize, which makes this part of the Seder particularly exciting for children (and adults who are young at heart).

So, there you have it, 18-year-olds. Yachatz is an important and meaningful step in the Passover Seder, and it symbolizes the hope for redemption and a brighter future. And, of course, it's also a fun and exciting part of the Seder, especially for those who are young at heart. So, let's break that matzah and get this Seder started!

A cubist painting of a family eating a Passover seder, designed by DALL E

Prompt: How do I tell the story of the Passover seder in 30 seconds?

ChatGPT: The Passover seder is a Jewish ritual that retells the story of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. During the seder, participants follow a specific order of 15 steps, which include reciting blessings, retelling the story of Exodus, eating symbolic foods, and singing traditional songs. The seder culminates in a festive meal that celebrates freedom and redemption.

Prompt: Tell the story of the exodus from Egypt as quickly as possible

ChatGPT: The Israelites were slaves in Egypt, but with the help of Moses, they were freed by God's miracles, including the ten plagues. They crossed the Red Sea, and God gave them the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. They wandered the desert for 40 years before finally reaching the land of Israel.

Prompt: What do you think are the four most important questions to ask?

Chat GPT:  As an AI language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs, but I can provide some common examples of what people may consider to be the four most important questions to ask:

1. Who am I? This question is fundamental to understanding one's identity and can help individuals to explore their values, beliefs, and purpose in life.
2. What is the meaning of life? This question is philosophical and asks individuals to reflect on the purpose of existence and their place in the world.
3. What is true? This question is epistemological and asks individuals to question the nature of knowledge and the validity of beliefs.
4. How should I live my life? This question is ethical and asks individuals to consider what actions are morally right or wrong and how to make decisions that align with their values and beliefs.

Of course, there are countless other questions that could be considered important, and the answers may vary depending on individual perspectives, cultures, and beliefs.

Prompt: How do those four questions relate to the four questions of Passover?

Chat GPT: The four questions of Passover and the four questions mentioned above can be related in the following ways:

1. Who am I? The question of "Who am I?" relates to the Passover question "Why is this night different from all other nights?" In both cases, individuals are seeking to understand their identity and the unique circumstances that set them apart from others.
2. What is the meaning of life? The Passover question "Why do we eat this unleavened bread?" can be seen as an exploration of the meaning of life. By refraining from eating leavened bread, individuals are reminded of the haste with which the Israelites had to leave Egypt and the importance of living a life of purpose and meaning.
3. What is true? The question of "What is true?" relates to the Passover question "Why do we dip twice?" By asking this question, individuals are prompted to question the nature of truth and the validity of their beliefs. By dipping twice, individuals are also reminded of the duality of life and the need to question their assumptions and biases.
4. How should I live my life? The Passover question "Why do we recline?" can be seen as an exploration of how individuals should live their lives. By reclining, individuals are reminded of the freedom that the Israelites gained from leaving Egypt and the importance of living a life of dignity and autonomy. Additionally, the question of "How should I live my life?" is implicit in all of the Passover questions, as the Seder is intended to prompt individuals to reflect on their values and beliefs and to live in accordance with them.

The formal telling of the story of Passover is framed as a discussion with lots of questions and answers. The tradition that the youngest person asks the questions reflects the centrality of involving everyone in the seder. The rabbis who created the set format for the seder gave us the Four Questions to help break the ice in case no one had their own questions. Asking questions is a core tradition in Jewish life. If everyone at your seder is around the same age, perhaps the person with the least seder experience can ask them – or everyone can sing them all together.

מַה נִּשְׁתַּנָּה הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מִכָּל הַלֵּילות

Ma nishtana halaila hazeh mikol haleilot?

Why is this night different from all other nights?

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכלין חָמֵץ וּמַצָּה  הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלּוֹ מצה  

Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin chameitz u-matzah. Halaila hazeh kulo matzah.

On all other nights we eat both leavened bread and matzah.
Tonight we only eat matzah.

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין שְׁאָר יְרָקוֹת הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה מָרוֹר

Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin shi’ar yirakot haleila hazeh maror.

On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables,
but tonight we eat bitter herbs.

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אֵין אָֽנוּ מַטְבִּילִין אֲפִילוּ פַּֽעַם אחָת  הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה שְׁתֵּי פְעמים

Shebichol haleilot ain anu matbilin afilu pa-am echat. Halaila hazeh shtei fi-amim.

On all other nights we aren’t expected to dip our vegetables one time.
Tonight we do it twice.

שֶׁבְּכָל הַלֵּילוֹת אָֽנוּ אוֹכְלִין בֵּין יוֹשְׁבִין וּבֵין מְסֻבִּין.  :הַלַּֽיְלָה הַזֶּה כֻּלָּֽנוּ מְסֻבין

Shebichol haleilot anu ochlin bein yoshvin uvein m’subin. Halaila hazeh kulanu m’subin.

On all other nights we eat either sitting normally or reclining.
Tonight we recline.

Prompt: Unrelated to Passover, if you had to put children into four categories, what categories would you choose?

Chat GPT:  As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions, but I can suggest some categories that are commonly used to describe children based on their behavior, development, or personality traits.

1. Introverted children: These children are often quiet, reflective, and prefer solitary activities. They may feel overwhelmed in large social settings and prefer small groups or one-on-one interactions.

2. Extroverted children: These children are often outgoing, talkative, and thrive in social situations. They enjoy being around people, making friends, and engaging in group activities.

3. Active children: These children have a lot of energy and love to move around. They may enjoy sports, running, jumping, dancing, or other physical activities. They may become restless or irritable if they are not given enough opportunities to expend their energy.

4. Creative children: These children have vivid imaginations and enjoy expressing themselves through art, music, storytelling, or other creative outlets. They may enjoy activities such as drawing, writing, playing music, or making crafts. They may become bored or disengaged if they are not given enough opportunities to express their creativity.

Prompt: Will you tell me the story of Passover in a series of passive-aggressive post-it notes?

Chat GPT: Sure thing, here goes.

Note 1: "Hey, just a friendly reminder that Passover is coming up. You know, that holiday where we celebrate the Jewish people's freedom from slavery in Egypt? It's a pretty big deal."

Note 2: "Oh, by the way, did you remember to buy the matzah yet? You know, the unleavened bread that we eat during Passover? No big deal if you forgot, I'm sure we can just eat bread crumbs instead."

Note 3: "Thanks for nothing. You didn't buy the matzah, and now we're stuck with nothing to eat during the Passover Seder. Way to go."

Note 4: "Oh, look, it's the Pharaoh! Just kidding, it's just our boss being a tyrant and making us work late again. Just like the Pharaoh enslaved the Jewish people, our boss enslaves us with endless work."

Note 5: "Finally, it's time for the Passover Seder. Let's read the Haggadah and remind ourselves of the Jewish people's suffering and redemption. Oh, and by the way, your matzah is burnt. Nice one."

Note 6: "Well, the Seder is over, and we survived another year. But, I'm not sure I can handle eating matzah for another week. Can we please just have some bread already?"

Note 7: "Wait, why are we still eating matzah? Oh right, it's because we're still celebrating Passover. I forgot, thanks for reminding me. Not that I could ever forget with all this matzah around."

Prompt: If you had to translate the 10 plagues into modern day plagues, what do you think they would be?

Chat GPT:  While there is no definitive answer to this question, here are some possible modern-day interpretations of the ten plagues. 

1. Water to Blood: Pollution of rivers, lakes, and oceans caused by human activity, such as industrial waste and oil spills.
2. Frogs: Invasive species taking over ecosystems, causing harm to native animals and plants.
3. Lice/Gnats: The spread of diseases carried by insects, such as malaria, West Nile virus, and Lyme disease.
4. Wild Animals: Habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity, leading to conflicts between humans and wildlife.
5. Pestilence/Livestock Epidemic: The spread of animal diseases, such as swine flu and avian flu, which can also infect humans.
6. Boils: Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as Ebola, COVID-19, and other pandemics.
7. Hail: Severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, caused by climate change and other environmental factors.
8. Locusts: Crop failures and food shortages caused by climate change, land degradation, and other factors.
9. Darkness: Light pollution and other environmental factors that disrupt natural rhythms, such as migration patterns and hibernation.
10. Death of the Firstborn: The disproportionate impact of environmental problems on vulnerable populations, such as low-income communities and communities of color.

Of course, these interpretations are subjective and open to debate, but they can serve as a starting point for reflecting on the relevance of the plagues to our modern world.

בְּכָל־דּוֹר וָדוֹר חַיָּב אָדָם לִרְאוֹת אֶת־עַצְמוֹ, כְּאִלּוּ הוּא יָצָא מִמִּצְרָֽיִם

B’chol dor vador chayav adam lirot et-atzmo, k’ilu hu yatzav mimitzrayim.

In every generation, everyone is obligated to see themselves as though they personally left Egypt.

The seder reminds us that it was not only our ancestors whom God redeemed; God redeemed us too along with them. That’s why the Torah says “God brought us out from there in order to lead us to and give us the land promised to our ancestors.”

---

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who redeemed us and our ancestors from Egypt, enabling us to reach this night and eat matzah and bitter herbs. May we continue to reach future holidays in peace and happiness.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the second glass of wine!

The Passover Symbols

We have now told the story of Passover… but wait! We’re not quite done. There are still some symbols on our seder plate we haven’t talked about yet. Rabban Gamliel would say that whoever didn’t explain the shank bone, matzah, and marror (or bitter herbs) hasn’t done Passover justice.

The shank bone represents the Pesach, the special lamb sacrifice made in the days of the Temple for the Passover holiday. It is called the pesach, from the Hebrew word meaning “to pass over,” because God passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt when visiting plagues upon our oppressors.

The matzah reminds us that when our ancestors were finally free to leave Egypt, there was no time to pack or prepare. Our ancestors grabbed whatever dough was made and set out on their journey, letting their dough bake into matzah as they fled.

The bitter herbs provide a visceral reminder of the bitterness of slavery, the life of hard labor our ancestors experienced in Egypt.

The Orange

Even after one has encountered the collection of seemingly unconnected foods on the seder plate year after year, it’s fun to ask what it’s all about. Since each item is supposed to spur discussion, it makes sense that adding something new has been one way to introduce contemporary issues to a seder.

So how was it that the orange found its place on the seder plate as a Passover symbol of feminism and women’s rights?

The most familiar version of the story features Susannah Heschel, daughter of Abraham Joshua Heschel and scholar in her own right, giving a speech about the ordination of women clergy. From the audience, a man declared, “A woman belongs on the bima like an orange belongs on the seder plate!” However, Heschel herself tells a different story.

During a visit to Oberlin College in the early 1980s, she read a feminist Haggadah that called for placing a piece of bread on the seder plate as a symbol of the need to include gays and lesbians in Jewish life. Heschel liked the idea of putting something new on the seder plate to represent suppressed voices, but she was uncomfortable with using chametz, which she felt would invalidate the very ritual it was meant to enhance. She chose instead to add an orange and to interpret it as a symbol of all marginalized populations.

Miriam’s Cup

A decade later, the ritual of Miriam’s Cup emerged as another way to honor women during the seder. Miriam’s Cup builds upon the message of the orange, transforming the seder into an empowering and inclusive experience.

Although Miriam, a prophet and the sister of Moses, is never mentioned in the traditional Haggadah text, she is one of the central figures in the Exodus story.

According to Jewish feminist writer Tamara Cohen, the practice of filling a goblet with water to symbolize Miriam’s inclusion in the seder originated at a Rosh Chodesh group in Boston in 1989. The idea resonated with many people and quickly spread.

Miriam has long been associated with water. The rabbis attribute to Miriam the well that traveled with the Israelites throughout their wandering in the desert. In the Book of Numbers, the well dries up immediately following Miriam’s death. Of course, water played a role in Miriam’s life from the first time we meet her, watching over the infant Moses on the Nile, through her triumphant crossing of the Red Sea.

There is no agreed-upon ritual for incorporating Miriam’s Cup into the seder, but there are three moments in the seder that work particularly well with Miriam’s story.

1) As Moses’s sister, Miriam protected him as an infant and made sure he was safely received by Pharaoh’s daughter. Some seders highlight this moment by invoking her name at the start of the Maggid section when we begin telling the Passover story.

2) Other seders, such as this one, incorporate Miriam’s cup when we sing songs of praise during the Maggid and later during the Hallel as a reminder that Miriam led the Israelites in song and dance during the Exodus.

3) Still others place Miriam’s Cup alongside the cup we put out for Elijah.

Just as there is no set time in the seder to use Miriam’s Cup, there is no set ritual or liturgy either. Some fill the cup with water at the start of the seder; others fill the cup during the seder. Some sing Debbie Friedman’s “Miriam’s Song”; others sing “Miriam Ha-Neviah.” As with all seder symbols, Miriam’s Cup is most effective when it inspires discussion.

What does Miriam mean to you? How do all of her roles, as sister, protector, prophet, leader, singer, and dancer, contribute to our understanding of the Exodus story? Who are the Miriams of today?

The plagues and our subsequent redemption from Egypt are but one example of the care God has shown for us in our history. Had God but done any one of these kindnesses, it would have been enough – dayeinu.

אִלּוּ הוֹצִיאָֽנוּ מִמִּצְרַֽיִם, דַּיֵּנוּ

Ilu hotzi- hotzianu, Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim Hotzianu mi-mitzrayim, Dayeinu

If God had only taken us out of Egypt, that would have been enough!

אִלּוּ נָתַן לָֽנוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה, דַּיֵּנוּ

Ilu natan natan lanu, natan lanu et ha-Torah, Natan lanu et ha-Torah , Dayeinu

If God had only given us the Torah, that would have been enough.

 The complete lyrics to Dayeinu tell the entire story of the Exodus from Egypt as a series of miracles God performed for us. (See the Additional Readings if you want to read or sing them all.)

Dayeinu also reminds us that each of our lives is the cumulative result of many blessings, small and large. 

Prompt: Reimagine Dayenu in the style of a Peloton instructor giving an inspirational speech. 

Chat GPT:

Alright Peloton tribe, it's time to saddle up and get ready to ride! Today's class is all about gratitude and we're going to start by celebrating with the traditional Passover song, Dayenu!

Now, I know you may be thinking, what does this have to do with our workout? But let me tell you, gratitude is a powerful motivator. When we take a moment to reflect on how far we've come and all that we have, it gives us the energy and strength to keep pushing forward.

So as we ride to the beat, I want you to focus on each line of the Dayenu song and think about what you're grateful for. Maybe it's your health, your family, your friends, or your ability to ride this bike. Whatever it is, hold on to that feeling and let it fuel you through this workout.

And remember, just like the Israelites in the song, we've come a long way to get here. We've faced challenges and obstacles, but we've persevered and we're stronger because of it. So let's show our gratitude by giving it our all today.

Are you ready? Let's do this, Peloton tribe! Dayenu, dayenu, we're grateful for this ride! Let's ride!

Matzah in a stained glass window, designed by DALL E 

The blessing over the meal and matzah | motzi matzah | מוֹצִיא מַצָּה

The familiar hamotzi blessing marks the formal start of the meal. Because we are using matzah instead of bread, we add a blessing celebrating this mitzvah.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶֽחֶם מִן הָאָֽרֶץ

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, hamotzi lechem min ha-aretz.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who brings bread from the land.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתַָיו וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל אֲכִילַת מַצָּה

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat matzah.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who made us holy through obligations, commanding us to eat matzah.

Distribute and eat the top and middle matzah for everyone to eat.

Remembering the bitterness of our experience in Egypt and the bitterness we may still feel today, we eat horseradish or another intensely-flavored herb. Feel free to share a space of bitterness you're bringing to the table today. Speaking our bitterness helps release it like the tears we cry when eating the horseradish. 

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Ruach ha-olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu al achilat maror.

Blessed are You, Spirit of the universe who commands us to eat bitter herbs.

With Koreich we make a ceremonial sandwich in honor of a legendary sandwich assembled during Talmudic times. At least Jewish people come by our food-centric customs honestly. 

We know, Johnny. Pizza is basically the greatest sandwich combo, but that’s not what Koreich is. First of all, we use matzah, because, hello, it’s a seder. OK?
 

Secondly, we use maror, because we enjoy pain. Oops, I mean, we are supposed to symbolically remember our ancestors’ pain in Egypt. There’s also charoset, a sweet chutney-ish side dish made from some of the following: apples, wine, raisins, dates, nuts and various other things; the recipe kind of depends on where you’re from. But basically, people put charoset on their maror and often in the Korech sandwich, which helps with the bite. It’s not pizza, but it’s something.

Prompt: Pretend you’re an announcer at the world cup and narrate the search for the afikomen

Chat GPT: 

Welcome to the Afikomen Cup, the most exciting competition in the world of matzah-finding! I'm your commentator, and we're here live to bring you all the action from the search for the afikomen.

The crowd is on their feet, cheering on their favorite competitors as they race to find the hidden matzah. And it looks like we're off to a fast start! Moishe, Tova, and Rebecca are all charging out of the starting gate, determined to be the first to find the afikomen.

Moishe is making a bold move, diving under the couch in search of the matzah. But Tova is not far behind, frantically searching through the living room furniture. And Rebecca is taking a more measured approach, slowly but surely scouring the kitchen for any sign of the matzah.

The tension is palpable as the competitors continue their search. It's a race against the clock, and every second counts. The crowd is cheering them on, willing them to find the afikomen and claim the prize.

Wait, what's this? Moishe has found a clue! He's spotted a crumb on the carpet, and he's following it to its source. Tova is hot on his heels, and Rebecca is not far behind.

It's anyone's game at this point, folks! The competitors are closing in on the afikomen, and the tension is reaching its peak. And... there it is! Rebecca has found the afikomen, and the crowd goes wild!

What an incredible search for the afikomen! These competitors gave it their all, and Rebecca emerged victorious. Thank you for joining us for the Afikomen Cup, and we'll see you next year for another thrilling competition!

Moses and Miriam in Egypt in the style of Kehinde Wiley, designed by DALL E 

Refill everyone’s wine glass.

We now say grace after the meal, thanking God for the food we’ve eaten. On Passover, this becomes something like an extended toast to God, culminating with drinking our third glass of wine for the evening:

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, whose goodness sustains the world. You are the origin of love and compassion, the source of bread for all. Thanks to You, we need never lack for food; You provide food enough for everyone. We praise God, source of food for everyone.

As it says in the Torah: When you have eaten and are satisfied, give praise to your God who has given you this good earth. We praise God for the earth and for its sustenance.

Renew our spiritual center in our time. We praise God, who centers us.

May the source of peace grant peace to us, to the Jewish people, and to the entire world. Amen.

The Third Glass of Wine

The blessing over the meal is immediately followed by another blessing over the wine:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the third glass of wine!

Prompt: Write an intro speech from Elijah as though he were a politician seeking reelection.

Chat GPT: Here's a possible intro speech from Elijah as though he were a politician seeking reelection.

My fellow celebrants, it is an honor to be here with you on this auspicious occasion. As you know, I am Elijah, and I am seeking reelection to continue serving you as your savior and protector.

Over the years, I have fought tirelessly for your rights and your freedoms. I have stood up to tyranny and oppression, and I have never wavered in my commitment to your wellbeing.

But we all know that the fight is never over. There are always new challenges, new threats, new enemies lurking in the shadows. And that is why I am here today, to ask for your support once again.

Together, we can overcome any obstacle, any adversary, any hardship. Together, we can build a brighter future for ourselves and for our children. But it won't be easy. We will have to be strong, we will have to be resilient, we will have to be united.

So I ask you, my friends, my fellow warriors, to join me in this battle. To raise your voices in triumph and defiance. To drink from this cup of courage and determination, and to march forward into the future with hope and confidence.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can create a world where justice and righteousness reign. So let us raise our glasses high, and let us toast to a better tomorrow. 

Thank you, and may God bless us all.

Singing songs that praise God | hallel | הַלֵּל

This is the time set aside for singing. Some of us might sing traditional prayers from the Book of Psalms. Others take this moment for favorites like Chad Gadya & Who Knows One, which you can find in the appendix. To celebrate the theme of freedom, we might sing songs from the civil rights movement. Or perhaps your crazy Uncle Frank has some parody lyrics about Passover to the tunes from a musical. We’re at least three glasses of wine into the night, so just roll with it.

Fourth Glass of Wine

As we come to the end of the seder, we drink one more glass of wine. With this final cup, we give thanks for the experience of celebrating Passover together, for the traditions that help inform our daily lives and guide our actions and aspirations.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, borei p’ree hagafen.

We praise God, Ruler of Everything, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Drink the fourth and final glass of wine! 

What is a Miriam’s Cup?

A Miriam’s Cup is a new ritual object that is placed on the seder table beside the Cup of Elijah. Miriam’s Cup is filled with water. It serves as a symbol of Miriam’s Well, which was the source of water for the Israelites in the desert. Putting a Miriam’s Cup on your table is a way of making your seder more inclusive.

It is also a way of drawing attention to the importance of Miriam and the other women of the Exodus story, women who have sometimes been overlooked but about whom our tradition says, "If it wasn’t for the righteousness of women of that generation we would not have been redeemed from Egypt" (Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 9b).

There are many legends about Miriam’s well. It is said to have been a magical source of water that followed the Israelites for 40 years because of the merit of Miriam. The waters of this well were said to be healing and sustaining. Thus Miriam’s Cup is a symbol of all that sustains us through our own journeys, while Elijah’s Cup is a symbol of a future Messianic time.

This is the Cup of Miriam, the cup of living waters. Let us remember the Exodus from Egypt. These are the living waters, God’s gift to Miriam, which gave new life to Israel as we struggled with ourselves in the wilderness. Blessed are You God, Who brings us from the narrows into the wilderness, sustains us with endless possibilities, and enables us to reach a new place."

Miriam's cup should be passed around the table allowing each participant to pour a little water form their glass into Miriam's cup.  This symbolizes the support of notable Jewish women throughout our history which are often not spoken about during our times of remembrance. 

Prompt: Write a speech for the seder host to read at the end of the seder as though they were an Oscar-award winner.

Chat GPT: 

Thank you, thank you so much! I am truly honored to be standing here tonight as your seder host. I couldn't have asked for a better audience to share this night with.

Tonight, we celebrated the Passover seder, a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. It is a celebration of freedom, of perseverance, and of hope. And I am so grateful to have been able to share this experience with all of you.

But this seder would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone who helped make it happen. From the cleaning and preparation to the cooking and setting of the table, every detail was carefully planned and executed.

And to all of you who joined us tonight, I am so grateful for your presence and your willingness to participate in this beautiful tradition. Your questions, your stories, and your laughter all helped to make this night a truly memorable one.

So, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each and every one of you for making this seder a night to remember. May we all continue to celebrate freedom, persevere through challenges, and hold onto hope for a brighter future.

Thank you, and good night!

Prompt: The passover seder just ended. You're a Jewish mom guilting your kids into staying to help clean up, but also tying in the common themes of getting married and producing grandkids. Go.

Chat GPT: 

Alright, alright, everyone, the seder is over, but the night is not yet done! It's time to clean up and put everything away. I know you're all tired, but think of it this way: if you don't help me clean up, you're basically telling me that you don't care about your dear old mother.

And while we're on the subject of caring, have any of you thought about getting married and giving me some grandchildren? I mean, who's going to be here to clean up after me when I'm old and gray? You can't expect me to do it all myself, can you?

I'm just saying, it wouldn't kill you to take some responsibility and show me that you care about your family. Think about how proud your Bubbe would be if she saw you cleaning up after the seder like good Jewish children. And if you happen to meet someone nice at the seder tonight, all the better!

So let's get to work, and maybe, just maybe, by this time next year, we'll have some more little ones running around the seder table. And who knows, maybe they'll even help us clean up!

Prompt: Can you rewrite Chad Gadya in a comedic and condensed way?

Chat GPT: Sure, here's a possible comedic and condensed version of Chad Gadya:

"Dad bought a goat, cat ate the goat, dog bit the cat, stick hit the dog, fire burned the stick, water quenched the fire, ox drank the water, butcher slaughtered the ox, Angel of Death killed the butcher, God smote the Angel of Death. The end. Who said Jewish folk songs can't be funny?"

And finally, to truly say "Next Year in Miami," there’s the classic theme song “Thank You For Being a Friend.” Because duh.

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23GrEhLUF_k