Description

A very well researched traditional seder dinner.

Skilfully coupled with scripture readings from the Gospel to reenact the Last Supper. It is most poignant when it is used with a small group, so that all participants have roles. Very well researched and compiled by William A Palmer Jr & long-term DramaShare friend Karen Dickson

Cast:    13

• Jesus
• His 12 disciples
  • those with speaking parts:
    • Peter
    • John
    • Simon the Zealot
    • Bartholomew
    • Judas
    • Thomas
    • Phillip
    • Judas son of James
    • Andrew
    • James
• a Reader/narrator

Bible Reference:    Luke 22:7-38

Set:      a table, set up as indicated in Special Instructions

Lighting:        spotlight(s)

  Sound:     wireless mics if available

Song: 

• “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty, The KingOf Creation”

• “The God of Abraham praise, all praised be His name”

SFX: none

Costumes:      standard

Props:     pitcher & bowl with water and towel for foot washing, loaf of bread

Special Instructions:

• On the table at each place: a plate, silverware, a glass filled with grape juice, and a small bowl of salt water.
  In ancient times, and in many Orthodox Jewish homes still, the families would recline, rather than sit, at a low table.
• Dinner elements:
  Grape juice, bowls of salt water, parsley or celery, three matzos (wrapped in large napkin), bitter herbs (horseradish), haroses (mixture of apples, cinnamon, and nuts), lamb [Optional (see note in script); additional food items may be served with the lamb if desired].

  Time:     30

The seder begins, now as then, with a traditional blessing.

Sample of script:

Jesus: Baw-ruch a-taw a-do-nai elo-hay-nu me-lech haw-o-lawm a-sher baw-char baw-nu mee-kawl awm v’ro-m’maw-nu mee-kawl law-shon v’ki-d’shaw-nu b’mitz-vo-sawv.

Blessed art Thou, O Eternal Lord, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Disciples: Blessed art Thou, O Eternal Lord, King of the Universe, who has preserved us alive, sustained us, and brought us to enjoy this season.

All drink the first cup of grape juice.

Jesus, taking place of the Father, now washes his hands in the bowl of water that has been provided for this purpose.

Reader: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The devil had already entered into the heart of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter.

Peter: Lord, are you going to wash my feet?

Jesus: What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand hereafter.

Peter: Never shall You wash my feet!

Jesus: If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.

Peter: Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus: He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. (Jesus was referring to Judas Isacriot, who would betray him.) Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the teacher, washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

Jesus takes the karpas (parsley or celery) and distributes it to the disciples. They dip it into the bowl of salt water, which signifies the tears shed by the Israelites, and eat it.

Jesus: I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. Blessed art Thou, O Eternal Lord, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruits of the earth.

On the table is a plate with three matzos (unleavened bread) wrapped in a large napkin. Jesus takes the piece in the middle and breaks it in two, leaving one half between the two pieces and putting the other half under the napkin for the “afikomen.” He then elevates the dish containing the matzos.

Disciples: This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all those who are hungry enter and eat of it; let all those who are in distress come and celebrate the Passover.

The cups of grape juice are refilled.