Which Son are You?

The purpose of this email is to separate the "men" from the "boys".... Please forward, like, tweet....
In honor of Yoseph Seinfeld, who turns 13 years old today.

Last night I attended my first "bo-bayom" party. Imagine a mini-wedding with 40 kids dancing with skill and abandon.

What greater simcha (joy) is there for a parent than seeing their child b'simcha (happy)?

In his speech our son talked about two rather opposite qualities:

a. Zerizut - acting with alacrity, not being lazy
b. Kavana - acting deliberately, not hastily

First question for your table: Are these two qualities mutually-opposed, or is it possible to cultivate them both simultaneously?

(If you would like a copy of his entire speech, shoot me an email.)

Over the past couple weeks, you've had some encouragement and suggestions about making your own Seder.

And you've heard the pitch for the new Art of Amazement Haggada.

Is there anything else to say about Pesach?

Can you name the "Four Sons" of the Haggada (often modernized to the "Four Children")?

A. The wise child - "I want to learn as much Jewish wisdom as I can"
B. The wicked child - "I've learned a lot, I know enough."
C. The simple child - "What is Jewish wisdom?"
D. The one too young to ask.

Two more questions for your table:

2. Which of the four are you?
3. Which of the four is the Haggada speaking to?


Shabbat Shalom and Happy Passover


Like this post? How about putting your gelt where your gab is: Like it, tweet it, or just forward it.

To Lead or Not to Lead, That is the Question

The purpose of this blog is to put a little order back into Friday night dinner.... Please forward, like, tweet or at least print and share.

Out of the blue yesterday a call came in from a sixty-something man who told me he was planning to make a Seder for the first time in his life.

He had Googled "how to run a Seder" and stumbled upon my article, "The Art of Leading an Amazing Seder", and from there tracked me down.

The first question of the week for your table:

Does it really matter (doing your own Seder v. being a guest at someone else's)?

We sympathize with those who feel that making your own Seder just seems so overwhelming.

But if you have children (even grown) or grandchildren, then making your own Seder really is a big deal.

The basic premise of the Seder is the older generation telling the younger generation why it matters that we're Jewish.

And we ritualize it, we make it fun, we invent variations, but in the end the message is the same: it matters that we're Jewish.

It matters so much that we're going to the effort to make our own Seder.

I mean, even Groucho did it.

Think about it.

And then get busy. You might start here or here or even here.

Or here? or here....or here... or here for sure.

(And if you already have Seder plans, you could always try this.)

Shabbat Shalom!

PS - If you are wondering what's going on with the Art of Amazement Haggada - we've been putting a lot of time into a new 2017 edition. I hope to be able to announce it next week in this space.

PPS - SPEAKING OF JEWISH IDENTITY, Did you know you can gift the Amazing Jewish-Fact-a-Day Calendar app (or use this link).  No matter how Jewishly literate, guaranteed to larn you something new! So if you know someone who is Jewish, send them the app!


PPPS - Did you find the hidden link?


Like this post? How about putting your gelt where your gab is: Like it, tweet it, or just forward it.

A Daga Hagada

The goal of this email is to turn the dinner table into a "deep-talk-table"... Please print and share.

There are a lot of things to be afraid of in this world.

Especially if you read the news.

Airplanes, landslides, revolutions, disease.

Many of these fears have offical names:

Airplanes — aviophobia

Revolutions —

Disease — panthophobia

Global warming — kalimeraphobia

Fear of fear itself is called phobophobia.

One of my kids seems to have lachanophobia — fear of vegetables.

Interestingly, there is no official name for "fear of mudslides" but perhaps it's included in alpinephobia.

Question for your table: Can you guess what someone suffering aibohphobia is afraid of?

(Hint, it's a joke; unlike arachibutyrophobia – fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth — a term invented for a Peanut's strip but now evidently taken seriously.)

This time of year, a lot of people develop Pesachphobia, also known as haggadaphobia and sometimes referred to as sederphobia.

As a remedy for this irrational fear, I'm pleased to announce the publication of the fully-revised 2014 edition of the Art of Amazement Haggada.

This email is going out late because I was hoping the new edition would be available today. Alas, it's ready but not available online ... probably won't be available until Sunday. But that should still give you time to get it for this year's Seder. I hope and believe you will enjoy it. Please forgive me in advance for the extra email that will go out then...

In the meantime, I'll leave you with a final question for your table:

Where does fear come from?


Shabbat Shalom

PS - My "Judaism, Christianity, Islam" seminar is now online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpRNpMr2-4U
PPS - Our public service site bestjewishkidsbooks.com has been stocked with links to great Pesach books and gifts, even matzah!
PPPS - Enjoyed this email? Like it, tweet it, or just share it with someone who might enjoy it.

HaHa! Haggada

The purpose of this email is to prod your family and friends toward some meaningful banter at the Shabbat meals. Please print and share.

Today's question for your table is: What was the best Seder you ever attended? What made it so?
At last count, there were 1,733 different haggadahs and 202 "haggadas" for sale on Amazon.

Aren't they all basically the same?

Ever hear about a "new" haggada that turned out to be the same old thing as every other haggada out there, just with new artwork?

Today we — yes, that's the editorial "we" —  have a treat for you.

Fifteen years in the making, the Art of Amazement Haggada is now in print.

Some may recall that it was available for download last year.

But who has room for a stack of 8x11 pages on their Seder table?

Who can afford the ink?

The new edition is a small size and you have the option of getting it with a spiral binding, so it will lie flat.

How cool is that?

OK, that's the boring stuff.

How is this haggada different from all other haggadas?

All other haggadas have the standard text with some commentary at the bottom or in the margins.
This haggada imbeds the midrashic color right into the text.'

All other haggadas are one-size-fits-all.
This haggada is designed for the person leading the Seder, to turn you into a master storyteller.

All other haggadas focus on the rules of running a Seder.
This haggada assumes you know how to arrange the Seder Plate (and if you don't remember, you'll know where to look it up), and instead offers tips and tricks for keeping kids and adults engaged and involved in the Seder.

All other haggadas give you a feeling of inadequacy or disconnect when you get to passages you don't understand or relate to.
This haggada gently suggests that you skip certain sections if you find them difficult to relate to.

All other haggadas (or most other haggadas) offer the interpretations of a single point of view.
This haggada gives you the unembellished classic midrash. For instance, did you know that when the river turned to blood, so did every bottle of water in the homes of the Egyptians. So what did they drink?

Regardless of your level of religiosity, this haggada offers the liveliest, most engaging Pesach storytelling. That's what it's all about.

Spiral-bound version is available today here: http://tinyurl.com/AmazementHaggadaSpiral

That's right... You can order it today and select the cheapest shipping and it will still arrive in time for Pesach.

Regular binding should be available on Amazon in a few days.

Sorry if this sounds like a sales pitch. If you know me, you know this was a labor of love.

Don't forget, I already gave you a great question for your table:

What was the best Seder you ever attended? What made it so?


Shabbat Shalom

PS - Passover begins in 2 weeks and change, on Monday March 25.

PPS - To my friends in the Bay Area: hope to see you Monday or Tuesday next week.

PPPS - Want to make your Table Talk rabbi happy? Like it, tweet it, or just forward it to someone who might enjoy it.


Oh, yeah, one other thing - please remember, don't forget, when looking for 10-Plagues toys, other Passover books, even matzah, start your search here:
http://bestjewishkidsbooks.com

Your rabbi will be proud of you.

Running Out of Time

Dedicated to Steve Goldstein, a great friend of many who knew the true meaning of freedom. May his memory be a blessing.

Our new spring bulletin: Click here

Downloadable Haggada: Click here

Full 2012 Pesach Kit: Click here

The great Google-Exodus spoof (2.2 million views): Click here

(FYI, two people today contacted me asking if they know anyone looking for a place at a Seder. If you know of any such person, including yourself, there are families in every community who would like to host you - please contact me ASAP.)

I suppose you'd like a question for your table.... How is this Seder this year going to be different from all other Seders of past years?

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach - Happy Passover!

Your Pesach Kit

Why is this week's blog different from all other weeks?


Because this year I am happy to announce the all-new completely-revised and updated and totally awesome Art of Amazement Haggada and Passover Kit.

If you saw this last year or any previous years, there is no comparison.

There are two options:

1. The Art of Amazement Haggada - Leader's Edition

Finally, a truly revolutionary Passover Haggada that will give your family and guests a fresh, connected, inspiring connection to the Seder!

If you are leading a Seder, use this in conjunction with any other Haggadas. It is designed to work regardless of which haggadas the others are using.

How is the Art of Amazement Haggada different?
1. Simple
2. We added transliterations and translations of all the stuff you want to say in Hebrew
3. We cut out the boring stuff.

How is the Leader's Edition different?
1. Peppered with questions to throw out, like a Teacher's Edition of a textbook
2. An incredibly detailed script based on the classic MIdrash that will turn you into an amazing storyteller and keep everyone spellbound
3. A list of 8 tips and tricks to keep everyone of all ages engaged

Click here to download a sample of the leader's edition.
Click here to get the full leader's edition.


2. The 2012 JSL Passover Kit

Full kit includes: Leader’s Haggada, General Haggada, Pesach Supplement, Pesach Charades, Pesach Cards, Pesach Bingo, Article on “Jews and Food”, Coloring Page

Click here to get the full 2012 Passover Kit.

Finally, if you're looking for the easiest way to get matzah, plague-kits, Pesach treats, Pesach books, etc., we've selected the best for you here:

http://bestjewishkidsbooks.com

There is a chance that the Pesach rush next week will prevent me from sending another message then. In case you don't hear from me, here's wishing you and yours a happy and meaningful Passover.

In the meantime,

Shabbat Shalom.

Is Life a Game?

BBC NEWS
Chinese gamer sentenced to life

A Shanghai online gamer has been given a suspended death sentence for
killing a fellow gamer. Qiu Chengwei stabbed Zhu Caoyuan in the chest when he found out he had sold his virtual sword for 7,200 Yuan (£473). The sword, which Mr Qiu had lent to Mr Zhu, was won in the popular online game Legend of Mir 3. Attempts to take the dispute to the police failed because there is currently no law in China to protect virtual property.

(If you care to read the details of this macabre story, click here.)

Question for your table: What does this story have to do with Passover?

There are probably many answers to the question. You could talk about values, you could talk about the rule of law and the Torah.

I'd like to suggest focusing on a different angle - virtual reality.

Many of us relate to the Passover story like a fantasy. It's a great story, but did it ever happen? And according to these details? And even if it did, why is it so important to tell the story once a year?

Question #2 - have you ever experienced a Pesach story-telling which was so engaging, you got so into it, that you forgot you were sitting in someone's dining room?

That's the goal, even if you are at someone's Seder who is not so engaging, even if you are all alone, to get yourself so into the details of the story, that you empathize with all the characters (even the drowning Egyptians).

To do so let's be frank, requires a bit of preparation. If you haven't got some new books and gadgets, it's still not too late for 2-day shipping, go to bestjewishkidsbooks.com and search for "Passover" or "Pesach".

If you have all the gear you need, don't forget to carve out an hour or two on Sunday to read through the Haggada, think about how you're going to make the Seder a vivid virtual reality, whether you be leader or follower.

Shabbat Shalom and wishing you a connected, happy Pesach

PS - if you had trouble downloading my free 2011 Pesach kit, send me an email and I'll send it directly, it's not a large file.

PPS - posted this video last year, it's so good, worth watching every year to get you in the mood.


PPS - here's a new one for this year:

Black to the Future

Looking for a new question to stump everyone with at your Passover seder?

Here's the question:

What did ancient Egyptians call their country?

Jews called it "Mitzrayim" - i.e., the land of boundaries, limitations (hence, we re-enact leaving Mitrayim)

Romans called it "Egypt" - which was derived from the local name for Memphis.

What did Egyptians call it?

A: Kemet - the "black land" - perhaps because the Nile-enriched soil was so lusciously dark. Or perhaps for some other reason?

Now, if you or anyone you know are looking for fresh inspiration for Pesach this year...

Look at these two short, entertaining vids. The first one nicely reminds us why we're doing this. The second one will get you pumped up to make it great.






Shabbat Shalom and Happy Passover.

PS - If you would like my free Passover Kit, including a modifiable Art of Amazement Haggada in .doc format, send an email and I'll try to get it to you by Sunday morning.

PPS - This blog will be busy leaving Mitzrayim… see you in 2 weeks.

Dreaming of Cappadocia

Dedicated in honor of Michael Doctor’s 8th Year in remission. “Ad meah v’esreem” - May he live til 120.


Just spoke to someone dear to me who is visiting Cappadocia, the central part of Turkey, a place of marvelous, mystical fairytale landscapes.

She was pleased to hear about all the Talmudic references to Cappadocia. Such as Rabbi Akiva’s recounting his travels there, and the Gentile who asked R. Ishmael to interpret his dream that “my father left me some money in Cappadocia”.

Today there is precious little evidence of 1,000 years of Jewish life in Cappadocia. Yet you can be sure that the Jews who lived there ate unleavened bread on the first full moon after spring equinox.

Next Wednesday is of course our annual Independence Day, the Jewish 4th-of-July.

If you are younger than 84, it will truly a Passover that is different than all other Passovers.

Every 28 years the “Blessing of the Sun” comes along, and the last time this happened erev-Passover was in 1925.

What is the “Blessing of the Sun”?
Why is it only every 28 years?
What does it have to do with Passover?

And since we’re asking all these questions, what’s the secret to a memorable Passover?

What is the Blessing of the Sun
If you want to participate....Wednesday morning, April 8, preferably as close to sunrise as possible, first contemplate how awesome the sun is. If you think about it, it almost defies our appreciation. It’s 1,000,000 times the size of the earth. It’s exactly the right temperature and distance from us for us to live comfortably. It gives us our food. glance briefly at the sun and make the bracha: Baruch Atoh Adonoy Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Osay Ma’aseh V’ray-shees.

It isn’t hard to understand why people of old and late worship the sun. Normally we call the sun “shemesh” which means “servant” - we look at it as no greater or lesser than any of the other phenomena in the world that serve our spiritual mission. Once every 28 years we call it “chama” (hot one) as in “Birchat ha-Chama” to really contemplate its majesty and perfection.

Why 28 years
The Torah says that the sun was created on the 4th day, i.e., Wednesday. Whether you are a fundamentalist and believe this to be literally true, or a modernist and believe this to be figurative, or a skeptic and believe this to be pure mythology, its actually not supposed to be read as history. There’s a message there. The message is that the world was created and didn’t just come to be. I don’t really care what “day” it happened on. But by identifying a specific day, we now have a tangible way of relating to the concept of creation. We can now commemorate its anniversary. 28 years is simply the mathematical fact of a 7-day week and a 365.25-day year – it takes that long for the sunrise on Wednesday morning to appear exactly the same.

On a deeper level...
28 = 7x4. 7 is the number of physicality. 7 colors in the rainbow. 7 notes on a major scale. 7 levels of animal and mineral classification. Etc.
4 is the cycle of exiles and redemptions. That’s why we have 4 cups at the Seder.
Ergo, going through four cycles of seven gives you one complete cycle of physicality-sprituality.

If you think about it, that makes most sense if you experience the entire 28 years. That means that if you’re like me and this is your first meaningful Birkas Hachama, it will be most meaningful 28 years from now, when you complete the cycle again. (Let’s hope we’re still all around then!)

What does it have to do with Passover?

Well, I’ve already explained this: 4 exiles, 4 redemptions, 4 cups of wine. Jewish history has been places, and is evidently going places. But it isn’t a show to watch nor a museum to visit. It’s a stage and you and I are actors in’t.


Dramatize your seder. This is the greatest Passover secret, for turning a dream into a memory.

We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep. (The Tempest)

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. (As You Like It)


Shabbat Shalom and Happy Pesach

(will not be blogging until after the holiday)


PS – If you did not get your free editable Art of Amazement Pesach kit, send me an email.

Click here for Rabbi Fohrman Exodus videos.