Rabbi Mark Glickman of the very liberal Reform branch of Judaism recently wrote a Seattle Times column decrying Christian congregations that celebrate their own Passover Seders. Rabbi Glickman claims the Seder was developed long after the Exodus events it commemorates, and was supposed to convey powerful anti-Christian messages, making Christian participation inappropriate.  

In truth, there’s nothing in the ancient formulation of the Passover Haggadah—the book of Seder liturgy—that disrespects or contradicts Christianity or Jesus, and most Jews passionately disagree with Rabbi Glickman. Retelling the story Exodus and affirming Jewish faith doesn’t amount to an attack on Christianity – any more than affirming Christian faith amounts to an attack on the Old Testament or Judaism.  

The two religions certainly disagree on key theological points, but share a commitment to remembering God’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage as a liberating moment in human history. Christian rediscovery of the Jewish roots of Christianity is actually good for Jews, Christians and humanity.