Second Seder

The second seder started at a much more reasonable time, so Ben and I had time to hang out in Cairns beforehand, and also enough time to catch a bus to the outskirts of town to the hotel/resort where the Chabadniks were staying.  We were just about on time, which is good because we were the only guests (surprise).  We helped set the table, including making sure each of us (two rabbis, two yeshiva students, Ben, and yours truly) had three whole pieces of cardboard (shmura matzo) and all the other accoutrements.  I don't think they were exactly prepared for extra guests at their place since were sort of invited ourselves at the last minute, so there were only four haggadas, but we managed by sharing.

This seder was interesting because everyone sort of did their own thing.  Instead of group chanting, we all sort of said our own blessings and were at slightly different places, of course waiting for each other at convenient points like hand washing.  One custom I liked in particular is that each person had his own [makeshift] seder plate, which meant Ben and I were free to use whatever items we were used to (potato, lettuce, onion, egg, etc.)  The meal was something I'd never had at a seder, too--fried chicken nuggets, french fries (chips), mashed potatoes, Israeli salad, and avocado--tasty, but not your traditional brisket or meat balls.

We had some pretty interesting conversations throughout the meal.  I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about the goings-on at a seder, but the Chabad perspective was new.  To be honest, often it just seemed like the rabbi would quote any interpretation he liked (often forgetting exactly who said it), and then somehow relate to it by saying "that's the Chabad way," or "that's really what Chabad is about." I must admit I didn't always follow exactly, and resorted a couple of times to a pensive chin scratch or a nod.

The rabbi who threw out the questions was much more talkative than the other.  Ben and I weren't sure if he was upset/uncomfortable, or just quiet/shy.  Nevertheless, he was an interesting guy, as we learned he is from Brazil (Rio, I think) and speaks many languages: Portugese, Spanish, English, Hebrew, Yiddish, etc.  Also, it was surprising to learn he was only in his mid-twenties, as the full beard made him seem much older.  The two yeshiva students--one a native of Sydney, the other from New Orleans--were studying at a yeshiva in St Kilda in Melbourne.  Surprisingly, we had a lot in common with them.  They were pretty cool--borderline fratty, I might say.  Who knew yeshiva kids are normal people after all?

In all, this second seder was a mixture of mildly awkward yet pleasant new experiences.  Ben and I walked the half hour home back to our hostel, preparing for yet another long day in the pool and the classroom.