Spilt Wine
Rabbi Akiva Eiger’s guests gathered around the Seder table. Just as he was getting started, someone at the table knocked over a glass of wine. There was now a huge purple stain in the table cloth that peeked out from under the edges of the napkin that had been thrown across it. The guest was embarrassed and everyone at the table was a little uncomfortable. Rabbi Eiger banged into the edge of the table and his wine glass spilled. Once again a napkin was thrown over the spill. Before anyone could say anything, the Rabbi said, “A Seder table must always be off balance.” Retold from A Different Night, The Family Participation Haggadah. Noam Zion and David Dishon
Questions 1. 2. 3. 4.
What do you think is the lesson of this story? When are wine spills a good thing? Why should a Seder table always be off balance? How does this story help us get ready for ?קִּּדּוׁש
16