Once we used to leave an empty seat for Eliyahu Hanavi, for Elijah the
Prophet, at the Seder table. Tradition tells us that Elijah will come on
Pesach to herald the coming of the Messiah. So we set a place for him
and pour out a cup of wine, in case this year he comes. Over the years
there are many traditions that have evolved regarding an empty chair at
the Passover Seder table.
Do you remember Seder night over 50 years ago?
We had empty seats at our family Seders after the Nazi Holocaust.
Do you remember Seder night 20 years ago?
We had empty seats in our homes for a Jew in Soviet Russia.
Do you remember Seder night 15 years ago?
We had empty seats in our home for a Jew in Iraq or Iran.
This year, a high percentage of young Jews are being lost to apathy and
assimilation. Shouldn't we still leave empty seats at our Seder tables?
Please take a moment at your family Seder to join in this prayer, written
by Rabbi Naftali Schiff.
Dear G-d,
Thank You for allowing us to enjoy another Seder night together with our family and friends. Just as our family joins together on Seder night, bridging all distances and differences, please help the Jewish people to heal the rifts of internal dissent. Please infuse us with the knowledge and inspire us with the awareness that Jewish people all over the world are part of our family. Together we have survived the turmoil of 3,300 years, making a difference to civilization wherever we go. Today we are losing every second Jewish child to the ravages of apathy and assimilation.Dear G-d,
Help us to bring these young Jews back to us, back to You. They are our children. They are our grandchildren. They are our future. Fortify us with the resolve and the commitment to reach out to them, to relate the beauty and relevance of our precious heritage -- so that together, all Jews can forge our common destiny. Next year, please G-d, let there be no empty seats at our family Seder.