My mother forwarded this via email with the subject line, “They finally got it right.”
Well, sort of. Jesus is still holding a bagel. And anyone who would eat gefilte fish from a jar would probably also have Mogen David on the table (though that may be what’s in the ewer on the floor in the foreground). I wonder why the painter (this is not Leonardo’s version; help me out if you know who painted this) didn’t have them bother to iron the tablecloth, or cover their heads. Or be home with their families (“You’re having seder with WHO instead of us?!”). In fact, even without the Manischewitz stuff, this is the most bizarre (supposed) seder I’ve ever seen.
Let’s say it’s a sephardic soft matzo rather than a bagel. Plus, I think I’ve read how matzo has changed dramatically in the past 200 years. I wouldn’t be surprised if it used to look more bagel-like.
Heather: I’ve heard that Sephardi matzo is like Iraqi pita, about 1/2″ in thickness. I believe it’s changed over the years, but something about what Jesus is holding above reminds me of Tuler’s challah (including the yellow dye #6).