we have been observing since that night of tumult as we fled from Egypt .
Maggid , Rachtzah , Motzi Matzah , we sing , as we painstakingly tell the story of pain and redemption , slavery and freedom , taking what feels shattered and reassembling into a clear picture that restores narrative coherence .
Maror Korech Shulchan Orech : Some years , we relate better to the sweetness of the charoset , but in others , it feels integrating to match the maelstrom inside with the bitterness of the maror . We eat , recognizing that even when the world doesn ’ t make sense , we need to endure .
Tzafun Barekh Hallel Nirtzah : the meaning and solutions seem hidden now , and in response we engage in a practice of gratitude for what might have at this moment . There is comfort in familiar liturgy and songs , traditions that tie us to less fraught times and evoke connections to family . As we call out from the narrow place , we pray that while today we might be shattered , perhaps next year we will have some comfort of coherence again .
Rabbi Beth Naditch is an ACPE Certified Educator / Rabbi at Hebrew Senior Life in Massachusetts .
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