The Last Supper was NOT a Passover Seder

Christian seders are a relatively recent phenomenon that involves non-Jewish individuals hosting and participating in a Passover seder. While some may see this as a way to connect with Jewish traditions and understand the roots of Christianity, Christian seders are ahistorical and problematic for several reasons.

The Last Supper was not a seder in the traditional sense. The Last Supper took place before the establishment of the seder as it is known today, and it did not follow many of the specific rituals and customs associated with the seder. Additionally, while Jesus and his disciples were Jewish, the Last Supper was a precursor to the Christian sacrament of Communion - and thus a Christian ritual rather than a Jewish one. Understanding these distinctions can provide important insights into the historical and cultural context of the Last Supper and its significance for Christians today.

One of the main issues with Christian seders is that they appropriate Jewish traditions and practices. The Passover seder is a deeply meaningful and significant event in Jewish culture, and it is rooted in the historical experience of the Jewish people. By co-opting this tradition and adapting it to suit Christian beliefs, Christians not only run the risk of erasing the unique and complex history of the Jewish people and their connection to the holiday, but also cultural appropriation. This can be particularly problematic in the context of the long history of persecution and oppression faced by the Jewish people, who have had to fight to preserve their culture and traditions in the face of adversity.

Supersessionism, also called replacement theology or fulfillment theology, is a Christian theology which describes the theological conviction that the Christian Church has superseded the Jews and the nation of Israel, assuming their role as G!d's covenanted people, thus asserting that the New Covenant through Jesus Christ has superseded or replaced the covenant with the Jewish people. Judaism disregards this as offensive, for obvious reasons including that it disregards the past 2000 years of Jewish history.

 Some Christians may also use the seder as an opportunity to proselytize or promote their own beliefs, rather than engaging with the historical and cultural significance of the seder. 

When we say that Judaism is a closed practice, we mean that it is a religion and culture that is intended for those who are born into it or who have undergone the formal process of conversion to Judaism. This is due to the deeply intertwined nature of Jewish culture and religion, the rigorous process of conversion, and the historical experiences of the Jewish people. While Judaism may not be open to outsiders in the same way that some other religions are, it is a rich and complex tradition that has endured for thousands of years and continues to be a source of meaning and community for millions of people around the world.

This doesn't mean that if you aren't Jewish you can never attend a seder, on the contrary many Jews today might invite you to join their family seders.

If you are invited to attend a seder, just remember that you are there to learn and observe, and participate to whatever extent you are asked to. Questions are welcome as long as they are respectful, but you should also research some of the rituals ahead of time, I recommend MyJewishLearning.com. Definitely don't arrive on an empty stomach!

• https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/was-jesus-last-supper-a-seder/ 

• https://www.heyalma.com/why-are-christian-passover-seders-a-thing/ 

• https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-make-your-passover-seder-inclusive/ 

• https://www.timesofisrael.com/welcoming-gentiles-for-seder-a-strong-tradition/ 

• https://utj.org/viewpoints/responsa/inviting-a-non-jew-to-the-passover-seder/ 

• https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/04/19/passover-seder-easter-rich-barlow