Recently I have engaged in some dialogue with a friend on these issues. I find that this dialogue will helpful for others who have similar questions; thus, I have included it below in its entirety.

Boaz, After a very quick (really quick) skim, much of this looks good. But it does seem to be missing a number of the traditional elements, including (but not limited to) discussing all the elements of the Seder plate (parsley and salt water; charoseth; roasted egg; shank bone of lamb; matzah tosh and 3-compartments for matzah). It's also missing many of the standard 15 steps of the Seder--the lighting of the candles; the washing of hands; the breaking of the middle matzah; wrapping it in linen and hiding it away; the search for the Affikomen, etc. {It also doesn't deal with the pre-Seder search for and casting out of the leaven.} We'd obviously have to add this in when we do our actual Seder. On a lesser note, it's also missing many of the other traditional prayers and songs.

Were you purposely trying to omit anything from rabbinic tradition that's not expressly commanded in Scripture? Or did these items just get left out by mistake, or by virtue of not having the time and space to include everything? Overall, it seems more geared to non-Jewish audience that wants a Passover "experience," but is not necessarily looking for an authentic, traditional Jewish Pesach Seder.

However, a Jewish audience (and especially any non-Believing Jews that we hope to reach�and we will, b'zerat HaShem, have many non-Believing Jews there at our Seder) will clearly expect to see these very basic, standard elements included, and will be disappointed and disillusioned if they're not there. Overall, the Haggadah just doesn't feel very "Jewish."

I hope you don't mind my candid reaction. I think that's far more helpful to you than just a bunch of "yes men" who never give any real feedback. Hopefully, we're good enough friends that I can freely speak my mind in love and gentleness, with constructive criticism, and hopefully you will know that I have nothing but your success and best interest and blessing at heart, and that these concerns are expressed in much tenderness and kindness. So please receive them in this same spirit, and I pray that they'll be helpful to you. Again, these are just my very quick 1st impressions. I'm looking forward to reading it more carefully later this week.

My Response:

The Foreword States (Page vii):

This instructional Passover booklet (Haggadah) is the result of years of heartfelt searching and discovery. While there are many different types and styles of Passover Haggadot available in Jewish synagogues, messianic congregations and churches, the goal of this book is to cause individuals everywhere, whatever their spiritual understanding or background, to evaluate, experience, and grow in their faith through the observance of God's appointed time of Passover.

The more thoroughly that we understand the Exodus, the greater our understanding will be of how the God of Israel sanctifies, delivers, and equips. Let us then approach this time and season with our hearts and minds prepared to encounter our Maker in a significant and meaningful way.

In the Introduction I state: (Page 16)

I would like to express that this Passover Haggadah is written with specific intent. It emphasizes the practical redemption from sin in the lives of the redeemed. It forces the participants to examine and consider their lives in the light of being called out and set free. Therefore, while I appreciate the beauty of tradition, I have altered the traditional seder slightly to enable the participant to focus on the thrust of this particular Haggadah.

In creating this contemporary approach to the honoring of Passover, we recognize that we do not function in a vacuum. Although in some cases we may depart from ancient practices, we live with a sense of responsibility to the continuum of the honoring of this moed.

Moreover, I try to balance creativity with the desire to conserve and adapt what speaks to us from the past. This service is structured to allow the feast to impact our lives, enabling us all to encounter Passover.

This is then footnoted with: (Page 103)

Essentially this Haggadah has a specific purpose and I felt that certain extra biblical traditions either slowed the service down or missed the purpose of this particular telling. I do recognize that the picking and choosing of various extra biblical traditions can be confusing to those of us who are well acquainted with all the various traditions, but many will not realize their absence. To be sure, my selection process was not done to speak against those other traditions; rather, it was to enable this Haggadah to highlight the issues of sanctification, redemption, deliverance, and hope. It is my contention that there are hundreds of Haggadot that highlight those important traditions in a far more meaningful and significant way than what I would be able to do, and the redundancy is unnecessary.

I go on to clarify: (Page 18)

The purpose of the traditional Seder is to bring the story of redemption to those at the table so that each one feels as if he were experiencing God's redemption for the first time.

I believe that one of the greatest traditions of the Jewish people is the tradition of innovation. Throughout history, Jewish people have been innovative in the way they adapt to the culture, time, and place in which they have been planted. I have developed this Haggadah with the same "tradition of innovation" in mind.

I feel that such a focused approach to Passover will enable God's timeless truths to have a greater impact on the personal lives of believers everywhere. Thus, my goal is to focus on the continued process of sanctification available to believers who chose to walk according to God's ways while stepping back from time, traditions, and some extra biblical influences in order to place our emphasis on two major themes.

This is them footnoted with: (Page 103)

From a perspective of history, this instructional booklet (Haggadah) would be considered very traditional; however, when looking at it in comparison with most traditional Haggadot, this one is anything but traditional, primarily because of its focus on the Messiah and His historical and eternal work in our lives.

One of our concerns and that was of "perception." We are very concerned with maintaining a connection to greater Judaism and with the traditions of our people. Yet, we also want the Torah to impact and intersect people's lives. We want people to understand the transforming nature of the Torah. We do not want people to leave a Seder table and say "that was a nice cultural experience" we want them to be personally impacted come to the revelation of the Messiah and all of our responsibilities to the Torah. We had intended to print two Haggadot to address this perception concern. One Haggadah was going to be non-traditional and one very traditional. We simply ran out of time and resources to do both. It is our intention to do the more traditional version next year and then have two for people to choose from. Perhaps we should pick this discussion up next year.

To be sure you have not offended me. I am very confident in this Haggadah and I have been prepared for the concern that people may have. I would greatly appreciate you spending some additional time reviewing the material in order that you can understand our thrust. Thanks for your comments.