Passover Seder

Wednesday, April 1, the Jewish Passover begins.

A Gentile who embraced Christianity at age nine, I recall this Jewish meal commenced the night before their great escape from Egyptian bondage.

The portrayal of this miraculous event remains archived most memorably in Cecil B. DeMille’s “Ten Commandments”, released in 1956. This means I could’ve been six-years-old when my eyes barely blinked throughout the entire film.

My mother drove my sisters and me to the Bel Air Drive-In theater on Eight Mile Road in Detroit.

It seemed like the Israelites ate their Passover dinner before my eyes, then followed Moses and God’s pillar of fire to the shore of the Red Sea. There, Moses lifted his rod and the Israelites passed between watery walls until they reached the other side.

Then, the walls fell and drowned the Egyptians with their horses and chariots.

Today, the impact of DeMille’s mastery of VistaVision in Technicolor, and narrated in his voice, remains a cornerstone in my knowledge of the book of Exodus.

My most recent experiences within women’s Bible studies confirm we represent millions of our generation who reference De Mille’s “Ten Commandments” when discussing the book of Exodus.

One Bible study member and her husband live a stone’s throw away. And they happen to enjoy a kitchen full of company.

Particularly for the Passover Seder.

“Seder?” I asked.

“The meal,” she replied.

“Please bring a vegetable dish.”

“What about a raw broccoli salad?”

“Whatever is easiest for you.”

Broccoli salad it is.

Once I wrap up this tribute to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, I’ll revisit broccoli salad recipes.

Perhaps I’ll venture off the rails and experiment with ingredients including dressing.

Yet, this holds an element of risk.

Perhaps it’s best to keep it simple and stay true to my recipe. Raw, chopped broccoli, crumbled crispy bacon, thin slices of red onion. Chopped Honey Crisp apples?

Now, I’ve yet to determine the dressing.

Unlike Moses’ rod, my wooden spoon is not anointed with God’s supernatural power onto saving a culinary disaster.

Putting the Seder and food aside, in conclusion, dear Reader, when and where did you first see Cecil B. DeMille’s masterpiece? Who were your companions?

Lastly, have you ever celebrated the Seder?

I suggest you do.

Contact Iris at irisfarmletters@gmail.com