As Pesach approaches, I have been thinking about the meaning of the word, "Seder" which in English means order. We are all certainly familiar with the Pesach Seder and its highly structured rituals that follow a specific order to retell the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. The idea of order is central to the Seder and to the holiday of Pesach, and it has important implications for our lives as Jews and as people in general. It is resonating even more with me right now as I think of the world in which we live and the sense of chaos in light of the mass shootings and political unrest in our country and the crisis in Israel.

As humans, we have an innate need for order. We want to make sense of the world around us, to create patterns and systems that help us understand and navigate our lives.  In every civilization from ancient times to the present, people have sought to create order from the chaos of nature, to establish structure and stability in our lives. In fact, when we think about the beginning of the Torah, the first thing we are told is not that God exists, that's understood, rather it is that God created order from chaos. And since that moment, we have been searching for the same.

The Seder is a symbol of this need for order. It is a structured, organized ritual that guides us through the retelling of the story of the Exodus. The order of the Seder helps us make sense of the story and to understand its significance. By following the prescribed steps of the Seder, we are able to connect with our history and our heritage, and to create a sense of order and meaning in our lives.

There is something calming and welcoming about the Pesach Seder. We know what to expect and when to expect it. It provides us with a map to enjoy the experience and to learn and grow. 

However, as we so keenly know, order is not easy to establish or maintain. In our society today, there are threats to order, both locally and globally. Climate change, political unrest, social inequality, and gun violence against our children are just a few examples of the challenges that threaten our sense of order and stability.

These threats have a significant impact on our lives, both individually and collectively. They create uncertainty which can lead to anxiety, and they challenge our ability to make sense of the world around us. They can also lead to feelings of helplessness and despair, as we struggle to find a way to maintain order in the face of such overwhelming challenges. The school mass shooting in Tennessee on Monday drives home that sense of helplessness and frustration. How do we reconcile living in a country where the number one cause of death among children is gun violence - a totally preventable tragedy. As much as people search for order, we seem better at creating chaos as a society.

In the face of these challenges, I believe the lessons of the Seder are more important than ever. The Seder teaches us that even in the face of chaos and uncertainty, we can find order and meaning in our lives. It reminds us of the power of community and connection, and of the importance of coming together to face our challenges. It also reminds us that our timeless stories have something to say to us today during these uncertain times.

As we celebrate Pesach this year, let us remember the significance of the term "Seder," and the importance of order in our lives. Let us seek to maintain order and stability in the face of the challenges that are before us, and let us come together as a community to create a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives. We may not be able to bring order and sanity to the larger society, but we truly can make a difference, for the better among our families, friends, and local communities.

Through the lessons of the Seder, we can find hope and inspiration, and continue to build a better world for ourselves and for future generations. L’dor V’Dor.