Crypto-Jewish Seder

Yesterday morning our Edot students participated in a re-enactment of a Crypto-Jewish seder. The Crypto-Jews (also referred to as conversos, New Christians, and Marranos) had no rabbis, Jewish calendars, Haggadot, or Siddurim (prayer books) to teach or remind them of the rituals involved in the Passover seder ceremony. These Jews who opted to convert to Catholicism in order to be allowed to stay in Spain in 1492, but who continued to practice Judaism secretly (as did their descendants), soon forgot many of the Passover seder rituals. They remembered the names of each of the 15 rituals of the seder, thanks to the fact that these names rhyme and were put to many tunes. But they forgot what many of the rituals were that accompanied each step. Thankfully, they could read the Exodus story in the Bible, since the 39 books of the Hebrew Bible (Tana'ch) are included in the Catholic Bible. And so they were able to re-enact the Exodus from Egypt during their secret seders, creating their own rituals as they acted out the story. Below are some photos and videos we captured of the event:

We set up two tables facing each other, with an open "stage" area in between. Here I am dressed as the Crypto-Jews did, all in white for the seder, welcoming the participants.

Here is the second table. Where is Leonardo da Vinci when you need him - I couldn't help thinking of his painting "The Last Supper" looking at each table. The "last supper" was, of course, a Passover seder.

"L'hadleek ner shel yom tov" ("to light the festival candle"). Two students at each table "lit" the holiday candles (the candles and candlesticks are props from our Hebrew Through Movement program).

The dried apricots scattered over each table symbolize the manna God provided the Israelites in the wilderness

The photo's a bit blurred, but we managed to catch three of our "Moses'es" warning all participants to be quiet so as not to be discovered by Inquisition soldiers.

With their rods to use as walking sticks and sacks slung over their shoulders (containing half of the matza we divided during the "Yachatz" part of the ceremony), our 3 "Moses'es" lead the way to the Promised Land...

... with the Israelites quickly joining them. "Where are you going?" the seder participants ask. "To Jerusalem" the Israelites joyfully respond.

Moses pointing to the matzas on the table, sharing their symbolic meaning

Preparing to eat the "maror" (Romaine lettuce leaves)

Notice that the roasted egg and charoset are missing on the seder plate. The egg was eaten during the meal by the Crypto-Jews, in the form of "huevos haminados" (eggs boiled for several hours in onion skins and vinegar - the original dyed eggs), as was the charoset, in the form of balls. They were not included on the seder plate.

Drinking one of the 4 cups of wine (grape juice, in our seder)

Re-creating the crossing through the Reed Sea. Waves stand to each side as the Israelites safely and joyfully  pass through...

...but close over the Egyptians.

As "free" people, we sing the Crypto-Jewish (Ladino) version of "Chad Gadya" - "Un Cavritico" (which Joel taught us last Sunday and which you can hear on my April 7th post)

 
There was one point during the seder (just after the third cup of wine), when we had an uninvited guest appear - he barged in just as I was opening the door for the Prophet Elijah.

Thankfully, he could find no wrong-doing (believing we were good Catholics holding an Easter feast, as many Crypto-Jews pretended), and left.

Hopefully, our Edot students will share what they learned about the Crypto-Jewish experience in Spain with their families and friends during their own seders this evening.

CHAG PESACH SAMEACH - HAPPY PASSOVER