Seder considerations

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on families to celebrate the Seder alone due to the corona pandemic and the fear of accelerated rates of infection (January 31). But this may only make a bad situation worse and underline the unhappy dilemma we are all in. Zoom or no Zoom, it will be difficult to celebrate under these conditions of isolation.

I and some others have a better idea: delay Passover until after the corona crisis subsides. Think how marvelously symbolic the Seder will then become. Just like the Israelites escaped from the Pharoah, they have now escaped from the dreaded corona. Creative families will be able to create other analogies with their youngsters and oldsters for matzah, the four questions by the youngest, Eliyahu’s visit, etc. What fun – and even meaningful.

SHALOM GUREVICH

Beersheba

Many of us are searching for ways to deal with some of the consequences of the incredible plague that threatens us. One issue is the observing of the Passover Seder either completely alone or cut off from friends and family. There has been much discussion and debate about having virtual Sedarim via Zoom, Hangouts, Meet, Skype, etc.

We have decided on a different approach, one that is very familiar to those who have experienced Passover in the Diaspora. My wife, Chaya, came up with the wonderful suggestion that, on the second night of Pesach we have an abbreviated (because of the time limitations of some of the programs) virtual Seder with our children and grandchildren, all of whom are Israeli and in Israel. That is, after all, when the second Seder takes place overseas. We can have our family Seder and, if we want, we can also interpret it as a way of identifying with world Jewry. CHAIM I. WAXMAN

Jerusalem