The Seder

“The Seder” © D. Yael Bernhard

Passover is the great preserver. Like a thread weaving through a tapestry of time, it binds all Jews to one common root: the story of Exodus. No matter where Jews have wandered and lived, they hold in common this timeless tale told at the Passover seder. Held in the privacy of homes, the ritual meal prevails among secular and orthodox Jews alike, and has survived the persecutions and pogroms that have caused massive shifts of population and geography over the centuries. It’s a constant which has enabled Jewish tradition itself to endure and evolve over an immense span of time.

We are a story-telling species, and the story of Exodus holds special meaning for both Jews and Christians. Its core theme of liberation is followed by revelation at Mt. Sinai, and then a long, long journey through the wilderness from slavery to independence, from powerlessness to responsibility, from lawlessness to the pursuit of justice.

By participating in the seder, Jews affirm their connection to this foundational narrative and carry it forward, keeping the tradition alive. Celebrated year after year, the passing of generations is also marked by the seder, as those who are no longer with us are remembered. My seed idea for this painting was to make a mandala, with family members past and present gathered round the table, merging into each other in a timeless state in which the edges of the table begin to dissolve. Just as Passover provides architecture for the holiday gathering, the seder table provides visual structure for the mandala, with the Pesach plate at its center – but it’s not a rigidly fixed form, for within the order of the seder there is also room for minhagim (individual customs) to vary from place to place – and for the boundaries of time to shift and overlap. The paradox of Passover is that it is both individual and collective, both constant and changing, both past and present.

This painting is only a small color study for a larger, more developed work of art. I’ve been waiting for that future moment to arrive when it will be time to bring the mandala to completion. Tonight is the sixth night of Passover, and as I reflect upon the holiday and the never-ending need for liberation, I think of my own ancestors who I would like to bring to the table, if only symbolically. I think of the Israeli hostages in Gaza, and those who have recently perished at the hands of tyranny. I think of the innocent children and ignorant bystanders caught in the crossfire of violence; and those who have died defending the freedom and safety of their people. With a heavy heart, I think of the rising tide of antisemitism in this country, and the crucial need for education – or re-education – the only viable longterm solution. Passover reminds me of the tragedies and triumphs of the past, and of the imperative to keep striving for a better future.

Passover is a spring holiday, a time of turning over soil and planting new seeds. Fresh beginnings emerge from the ancient story of oppression and miracles. Once again, we are rescued from evil, from our own human folly and greed, and emerge into freedom and hope. It’s a welcome pivot in the wheel of human experience.

To all my Jewish readers, a zissen Pesach!

D. Yael Bernhard

https://dyaelbernhard.com

Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!