Seder...anyone?

[archibaldcrane]

An old friend of mine from high school who lives here in LA now invited me over for her Passover Seder event tonight. She said "it'll be really fun, it's my favorite holiday event".

Not being Jewish, I've never been to a Seder before, and I've heard stories everywhere from a 3-hour boring service to a great feast and wine-drinking orgy. (well, not orgy, but lots of wine-drinking anyway, apparently everyone has to drink 4 glasses for the service or something?)

I had no idea that non-Jews were even invited to these, but there's a few of us Gentiles invited. Everyone (I think) is in their 20's, and there's no family involved, just friends (we're almost all transplants to LA). I'll be bringing a couple bottles of wine.

So, is this going to suck or will it be fun? Opinions from Jews and non-Jews sought.

[Davricle]

Honestly it really depends. There are prayer readings and certain traditions that every Passover Seder will have, so you gotta get thru that. However, whoever is hosting the seder can convey these portions however they feel, and they can make it really fun. Or really boring, its all luck of the draw.

I've always enjoyed seders, but you need to keep an open mind.

[wintersquall]

depends on whether or not you have foreskin... or alternately, exactly how much of the wine you bring ends up being imbibed by the females in attendance.

obligatory oy vey.

[archibaldcrane]

It looks like most of the attendees are from my wine-tasting group (youngwinosofla.com) so I think it'll be pretty laid back and focused more on the food than of breaking the bonds of slavery. Although after years of eating the body and drinking the blood of Christ (I was raised Catholic, currently Atheist) I'm pretty stoked to find out what the tears of Egyptian Jewish slaves taste like.

edit: Well, we are winos, much wine will be drank. (There's nothing saying we're limited to ONLY 4 glasses each right?) And yeah, I am circumsized, lol.

[Maxxthepenguin]

Passover was last weekend, so any seder you're going to now will be incredibly reform and casual.

They can be very fun or very dull, yours will probably be fun.

And the 4 glasses is what is mandatory, more is good.

[archibaldcrane]

I'm pretty sure Passover is a week-long thing, which runs from the night of the 20th to the night of the 27th (or morning? not sure) this year.

[Exoduso]

The seder was last saturday though.

[Maxxthepenguin]

It is, but the Seder is done at the beginning, to kick it off.

Or that's how it was always done in my family.

[BerenTebogo]

Semi-related question I guess, since I made it through a catholic / irish childhood without a drop of alcohol, and to this day neither my wife nor I drink at all.

Is it possible to be a straight-edge jew? If alcohol is /mandatory/ but say, you've made a choice that you don't want to drink or have alcohol be a part of your life, is that possible or will you get jew-exiled?

[Maxxthepenguin]

There's no cabal of inner circle Jews who strive to expel people, it is completely up to you and your Rabbi.

It would make Purim really suck though.

[BerenTebogo]

That's pretty cool, good to see religion doesn't always have to be strict to the letter.

[Maxxthepenguin]

Well, there are certain groups that are strict to the letter, specifically the Orthodox Jews and the Hasidic Jews. Most Jews are Reform or Conservative.

Judaism also has a long tradition of argument, so often if you can show you understand the intent of the passages and laws but have a personal issue with them, you can follow them your own way. The meaning is the important part.

[archibaldcrane]

I think generally grape juice can always be substituted for wine in judeo-christian ceremonies.

There is an obligation to drink four cups of wine (or pure grape juice) during the Seder. The Mishnah says (Pes. 10:1) that even the poorest man in Israel has an obligation to drink.

[wintersquall]

brb becoming jewish.

[Ohemgee]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=W7CbNfgJnE8&feature=user

[Lee]

Don't go! Gentiles will have their necks cut and blood threaded into the Matzah!!!

[Meat]

Semi-related question I guess, since I made it through a catholic / irish childhood without a drop of alcohol, and to this day neither my wife nor I drink at all.

Is it possible to be a straight-edge jew? If alcohol is /mandatory/ but say, you've made a choice that you don't want to drink or have alcohol be a part of your life, is that possible or will you get jew-exiled?

Grape juice works.

To the op, passover is one of the more serious holidays. It's anything but fun, but considering your hosts are electing to have it a week late and on a Friday no less i can't imagine it's going to be anything close to traditional. Sounds like you're having a Jew hosted dinner party.