The Seder is a 3,500 Year Old Hack
Passover 2026 episode
Chag Sameach everyone!
On this chag episode, we tackle a section of the Haggadah that almost everyone breezes past: Jacob's fateful decision to "temporarily" settle in Egypt, only to buy land, put down roots, and stay for 17 years.
From that ancient real estate deal, the conversation spirals into the big questions Jewish families are wrestling with right now:
What does Israel really mean to diaspora Jews?
Is "dual loyalty" just an antisemitic trope, or something worth actually thinking about?
Why did 80% of Jews choose to stay in Egypt even after centuries of slavery?
We don't talk about rising antisemitism, the war with Iran, and what it means to say "Next year in Jerusalem" from your living room in Long Beach. ChayaLeah shares her family's Passover prep rituals (poster boards, car detailing, kids moving the fridge), and we a passionate case that any level of observance counts.
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. 🍷
Resources Mentioned
Genesis 46:27 - Jacob’s family settling in Egypt
Exodus 13:18 - Circuitous route out of Egypt
The Four Questions explained - Chabad.org
The Rebbe’s seder table - Chabad.org