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Ping. The last desperate attempt of uncovering the fate of the 239 passengers of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370 that has kept the world in suspense with bated breath. 

In a coincidence bordering on the miraculous, advance ‘ping detector’ ships and towed submarines detected a ping signal consistent with that of the Malaysian Flight for just ninety seconds. The black box of the airplane has battery power to send aping signal every second for thirty days. It seems that this week’s ninety second signal was in the last ninety seconds of the battery of the black box! 

As I collect my thoughts top prepare for a more meaningful Passover Seder this year, I realise that each and every Jew too, has a ping signal, a homing device. Unlike the black box of lost airplanes, it might go many months or years without emitting a signal. But the battery never dies out. 

A Jew might live a life of decadence and G-dlessness for eighty or ninety years, but the time will come, later if not sooner, that his guilty conscience will start to beep. The Yiddishe neshoma, also known as the pintele yid, the Jewish Core, cannot and will not be forgotten. It will do whatever it takes to be noticed. 

At the Seder we speak of four sons: the wise one the chilled out one, the simple one and the one who doesn’t know how what’s going on. All these four kinds of Jews at least are present at the Seder table. There is a fifth kind of Jew, who doesn’t even know that tonight is Passover. 

Though he might not even realise it himself, he has a Pintele yid inside  that desperately wants to be found. We all know this fifth son. We’re just too embarrassed to invite him to our Seder. 

Think of him as MH370. He is lost at sea and is yearning to be found. Reach out to him with love. Invite him to your Seder. It’s never too late to come home! 

Wishing you a wholesome and meaningful journey ‘Out of Egypt’!

The Seder is so important to us, yet sometimes we find ourselves mystified as to what is actually going on. We have compiled this simple, straightforward and relevant guide to the Seder with brief explanations of the proceedings designed to infuse meaning and to stimulate conversation at your Seder table.

Please let us know how it went at your Seder. We would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Wishing you a joyous and meaningful Seder experience,

Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler 
www.JewishGardens.com

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Why are we going on about these ancient People?!

The Seder is not just a heart warming tradition or an ancient ritual. It's actually deeply relevant to each and everyone of us.

You see, the word Egypt in Hebrew translates as Bondage. We all approach the Seder as slaves in Egypt- People who are struggling with inhibitions, fears, habits, cynicism or prejudices. We all are addicted to something: Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol, others to money, fame or lust. Still others are addicted to food, shopping or even to incessantly checking their cell phones constantly (they're the ones reaching for their phones as you read this :-)).

Now that we've realized that the Seder is actually all about yourself and how you can become a better, happier person, we can begin the journey 'out of Egypt', the epic oddysey which is the Seder.

The 15 Step program:

Just as alcoholics have a 12 Step program, People sitting around the Seder table facing their own struggles, need to experience the 15 step program, which is the Seder Guide to personal freedom and self improvement. Here goes:

1. Kadesh (sanctify the evening through Kiddush)= CREATE A SPACE FOR CHANGE 
   
   Designate a special space in your life that is void from all the static, to allow for real change. 
   
   
2. U'rchatz (hand washing)=CHANGE THE WAY YOU BEHAVE 
   
   Clean your hands from dirty behavior- must cease bad habits asap to allow for real change to follow. 
   
   
3. Karpas (dipping vegetable in salt water): CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK 
   
   The vegetable comes from the ground like the the body was created originally from earth. Water is a metaphor for Torah. The vegetable is dipped in water to show us that we can't allow our bodies, addiction and tendencies to rule us, we must rule over them and utilize them for greater good! 
   
   
4. Yachatz (Breaking the Matza in two): CHANGING THE FOUNDATION 
   
   Humility is the key to change- thinking you're perfect ( a complete Matza) is the root of the problem. 
   
   
5. Magid (Reading the Haggadah Story): CHANGE YOUR INTAKE AND ENVIRONMENT 
   
   Study, study, study! 
   
   
6. Rachtza (Wash again): CAUTION 
   
   Don't become arrogant after study. This is the bane of the wise! Cleanse yourself from negativity after you have grown in wisdom. 
   
   
7. Motzi (extracting the Matza for all to see): FOCUS ON POSITIVE ACTION- NOT JUST NEGATION OF BAD HABITS 
   
   Extract the good in everything you encounter, now you're ready to start changing the world. 
   
   
8. Matza (Bread that doesn't rise): EXPERIENCE HUMILITY 
   
   The greatest catalyst of change is humility, cannot be overemphasized 
   
   
9. Maror (Bitter Herbs): CATALYST TO KEEP YOU MOVING FORWARD 
   
   Whilst depression makes you down, Bitterness over the past is the great motivator. Make sure you are not depressed, but bitter. 
   
   
10. Korech (Sandwich of Bitter Herb, Bland Matzah and Delicious Passover roast)- SAGE ADVICE FOR THE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD 
    
    Realize that life is a mixture of rich, bland and bitter. Don't give up when you're having a tough moment. This too shall pass 
    
    
11. Shulchan Orech (Eat the Meal): ENERGIZE
    
    Learn to enjoy life. Eat with zest. G-d put us here for a reason- savor and relish every minute for it's Divine purpose! 
    
    
12. Tzafun (Revealing the Hidden Afikoman): COURAGE TO FACE YOUR PAST 
    
    Don't be afraid of hidden skeletons and dirty laundry that will come to the open as you detox. Develop the tools and self confidence to be able to handle that. 
    
    
13. Beirach (Grace after Meals): CONNECTION TO G-D 
    
    Don't be ungrateful. Remember to thank G-d for all your blessings. Show gratitude. it makes you a more wholesome human being. 
    
    
14. Halel (Songs of Praise): VERBAL AFFIRMATION
    
    Kabbalah teaches us the incredibly power of speech: Words become things. Speak of joy and faith and you will find personal redemption. 
    
    
15. Nirzah (Endorsement of your Seder by G-d): VALIDATION
    
    Realise how important you are before G-d. He cares about your every next move!! Nothing is small in His eyes becuase you are the apple of his eye!

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In case you're rushing, these are the most important Mitzvahs of the Night, so try and make sure to fulfill them before you go:

• Tell the story of Exodus (the more the better)
• Eat at least half a shmurah matza or full machine matza
• Drink 4 cups of kosher wine
• Eat a bitter vegetable
• Eat a meal
• Sing songs of praise
• All the above after nightfall (8:20pm in Palm Beach Gardens)
• Repeat all the above on Tuesday Night,because the path to a better you doesn't happen inone sitting,it's all about consistency!