June: OrderThe Hebrew word for Order is Seder.

Order/Seder means structure. We are familiar with this word from our Passover Seder – a highly ordered, structured ritual meal. We can also think of Seder as the order or structure we bring to our lives. It means setting goals and figuring out the steps needed to move in the direction of these goals.

What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Seder?

In the early 19th century Mussar classic, Cheshbon HaNefesh, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Leffin says that Seder relates to attention and awareness. He adds, “All your actions and possessions should be orderly – each and every one in a set place and time.”

Mindfulness Guide

Try this exercise: While closing your eyes and breathing mindfully, witness all of the thoughts that float across the field of your awareness. Are they jumbled and “all over the place”? Our thoughts usually are. It is only when we apply a sense of order that we can put thoughts into productive actions.

Ideas for Growth

The Mussar master, Rabbi Simcha Zissel of Kelm, compared Seder to the clasp on a pearl necklace:Picture a pearl necklace with a small clasp. Which is more essential – the clasp or the pearls? At first glance the pearls are more essential. But, without the clasp, all the pearls would scatter and all that would be left is the chain – thus the clasp seems more essential. A person is like a collection of pearls – s/he is full of potential, talents, character traits and virtues. Seder is similar to the clasp on the necklace. Without Seder all his or her virtues and talents scatter and s/he is left empty.

Questions for Family Discussion

• Name some examples in your lives of where order is important. Include things at work/school and in the home. How do you go about creating order? Do you make lists? Prioritize? Have certain times of day set aside for different things?

• Most of our synagogue rituals/services rely on following a specific order (i.e. we say blessings in the same order each week.) What are the advantages of such a strict adherence to order? What are the disadvantages?

• Look through this binder. Each month’s middah presentation has followed a certain order. Did the repetition of that order help you learn? Why or why not?

• What might your lives look like if you did not have structure? Would there be chaos? Would it be fun for a little while? See if you can use this vision to illustrate how structure is helpful in your day to day lives.

Portions of this month’s packet are taken from The Tikkun Middot Project Curriculum, Draft, October 2013