Customer Reviews

A Family Haggadah II

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My husband and I host a seder each year for a group of about 30 to 40 people. This year (2010), we used "A Family Haggadah II" for the first time. I found it very enjoyable and helpful. "Seder" means "order," and a good Haggadah is essential for following the order of Passover night. The clear illustrations of the Seder Plate were helpful for setting up our tables. Then we went around the tables, reading aloud from the Haggadah. We used the Hebrew text for the blessings and songs, and English text for the story. The headings in a large, blue font made it easy to keep track of where we were in the seder.

I thought the Haggadah did an excellent job of conveying the story of Passover and also the meanings behind the rituals. Several of our visitors were not familiar with Passover and this was a good way for them to learn about it. While we did not read aloud the supplementary material and notes, I was told by participants that they enjoyed reading that on their own. The books are well-constructed and slim, and small spills can be easily cleaned off the front and back covers. The affordable price meant we were able to provide a Haggadah for almost everyone at the tables. We plan to use them again for many years to come.

My family was pleased with our purchase of A Family Haddadah II: A Seder for All Ages. This hagaddah provides a contemporary translation of the Passover story and was positively received by both young adult and elder participents. It was a definite enhancement to this year's seders.

Although the page numbers don't match the old edition, you can use them together at a Seder. Some of the changes are interesting.

On the first two nights of Seder, Jews celebrate the exodus of Jews from Egypt. In Exodus 10:9 the flight of the Jewish people is expressed when Moshe replies in anger to the Pharaoh, "We will go with our young and our old, our sons and our daughters; and we will go with our flocks and herds; for we must celebrate a feast to Adonai." This Haggadah can be a nice introductory text for other religious sects who wish to educate themselves about the liturgy of the Seder service or used by a family during their celebration. This is a special time when everyone in the family will know the answer to the question, "why is this night different from all other nights?"

The word "seder means order." A family will be able to follow the order of the meal through the Haggadah. The Seder consists of fifteen parts: Kaddesh, Ur'chatz, Karpas, Yachatz, Maggid, Rachtzah, Motzi, Matzah, Maror, Korech, Shulchan Oreck, Tsafun, Barech, Hallel, and Nirtzah. An illustration of the seder plate is included with suggestions "to make the plate more beautiful," substitutions for vegetarians, and an "invitation" for Miriam to join the family at the table. A seder checklist is included at the beginning of the book in preparation for the celebration. There are several items such as the Afikomen Bag are on the optional list.

This wonderful, comprehensive Haggadah is the perfect choice for the family with pre-teen and teens in the home. The English and Hebrew parts of the service are on the right-hand pages. On the left hand can be found questions and commentary. There are many other points of interest the reader will find in these pages, including historical vignettes such as how Rabbi Israel Spira of Bluzhov held seder at Bergen-Belsen, freedom songs, the story of Passover, a discussion of slavery in Egypt and much more. This affordable Haggadah is rich in history and may well end up being a part of your family Seder tradition for years to come!