Families mix technology with Judaism to stay connected

It is interesting to me how much technology affects language. When I was a kid, if you talked about a livestream, it had fish in it. Text was a noun, not a verb. Someone called a media expert knew everything there is to know about ancient Northwestern Iran. We didn’t use the term Facebook, but if we did, the book would probably be found at the police station and be filled with mug shots.

Technology also influences religion. In Judaism, all technological advances are investigated to see how they fit in Jewish law and in the life of Jewish individuals, families and communities. During the pandemic, many people have found video conferencing services like Zoom to be helpful in keeping their families together from a distance.

Last year was the first time anyone ever had a Zoom Seder for Passover. It had its drawbacks and advantages. Most people set up a laptop or a smartphone at an empty place at the table or somewhere nearby.

My family had three households in different parts of the country video conferencing together. Many families had more. That could cause more cacophony than order, which is a problem, because the Seder (which means order) is all about conducting the evening in an orderly way. Of course, when the clamor is coming from grandchildren, it’s a real joy.

The upside is that it allowed people who were not permitted or who were unable to travel to be together for Passover. Those other two households would not have been able to share Passover with my family before the advent of video conferencing.

Does use of Zoom and other social media platforms contravene Jewish law? According to most authorities, if you turn on the video conference before the holiday and can leave it on during the holiday without physically handling it, it is permitted.

Of course everyone should seek the advice of their own rabbi. Many of us will have been vaccinated and will have achieved immunity before Passover. If so, follow the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention rules. Immunity will allow more people to get together, but I am sure that video seders will be necessary for a large percentage of Jewish homes this year.

Whether your loved ones are in the room or in the Zoom, may you be blessed with a joyous seder and a happy and kosher Passover.

Rabbi Steven Graber leads Temple Hillel in North Woodmere.