Passover begins tomorrow evening with Shabbat. Many will be seated with family and friends around tables featuring a seder plate, piles of matzah, cups of salt water, bottles of wine and bowls of charoset(the wine, nut and date mixture that represents the mortar - odd that something so yummy is the symbol of tragedy - perhaps this makes it "easier" to retell the story every year?). And of course, also on the table, will be Haggadot (pl for Haggadah, the book used to tell the story).
We greet one another with hugs, kisses and warmth, get settled in our chairs (perhaps with a pillow for reclining), and begin retelling the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. We retell our story of transformation from slavery and oppression to liberation and freedom.
So far, I have attended 94 seders (that's 2 per year for 47 years). From the time I can remember, which is around age 5, this was my favorite holiday. My family hosted for over 35 years. The same core group of people attended and a lot of the same conversations took place. So many amazing memories. But, there is one that resides at the top of the list. My parents sent my sister and I to Jewish Day School as did some of their friends who were also at the Seder. The parents were convinced that all of the Hebrew in the Haggadah could be sung. Nothing gave them more pleasure than hearing us sing in Hebrew. When we were young, we argued relentlessly that some were actually not songs and just Hebrew. But, our parents would not let up. Ultimately, we would give in and essentially make up melodies for the Hebrew content. We would sing and they would be grinning from ear to ear. Eventually, we stopped arguing and automatically launched into song.
As I got older the meaning of the rituals played a more significant role in the seder and I began approaching the different pieces of the seder more seriously and with more intentionality (as opposed to just reading the words). The order of the Seder, The 4 Children, The 4 Questions, the obligation for each of us to see ourselves as if we were slaves in Egypt, the teachings of the rabbis, The 10 Plagues, the promise of "next year in Jerusalem", each component represents historic and contemporary challenges.
Passover is still my favorite holiday and also the most challenging.
"Egypt" is still happening today. Throughout the world (even in America), slavery, violence, oppression, genocide, hunger, poverty, inequality and injustice against humanity are a reality. Passover is the time to pause and focus. It is the time to retell our story, acknowledge the wrongs of society and reclaim our commitment to "liberty and justice for all." Our efforts can create change in the lives of others. Perhaps someday, when we sit down to Seder, we will just be telling the story of what happened and no longer of what's happening.
Where will each of us lean?
May your Seder be filled with meaning (and sweet/yummy charoset, games, stories and questions).
Mekor Ha'Chayiim, Source of Life, may we have the courage to use our freedom to help free others.
Shabbat shalom u'mevorach, (a restFULL and blessed Shabbat), Laurie
Lean into justice and make something happen.
A note from Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center: As we relive the story of the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, our Passover seders are filled with moments of sadness, somber reflection and even a taste of bitterness. These heavy moments, however, are matched by moments of joy and celebration as we similarly experience the redemption and liberation of leaving bondage for the Promised Land.
We cannot ignore the many parallels between the Israelites’ journey thousands of years ago and social injustices of today. We encourage you to use one of the RAC’s many haggadah inserts to incorporate themes of racial justice, environmental justice and more into your holiday observance.
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