Six days have passed since we convened at Seder tables. Whether in large or small groups, whether Hebrew or some other language graced our table –we all assembled to mark ourselves by the history of a beleaguered nation of slaves, yearning to leave behind the abuse of 2 centuries in order that future generations grow up in a culture espousing liberty and human dignity. The foods and the rituals drive home our mindset of simultaneously being slaves and despising slavery; of identifying with Israelites and championing the rights of all oppressed peoples; of finding a path to God and improving the world.
The climax of the Seder is the opening of the door for Elijah- the herald of the Messiah. Traditionally, we sing L’shanah Ha-ba-ah bee-Yerushalayim (Next year may we be in Jerusalem) for it is the Haggadah’s view of redemption that we are to be free from tyranny and living as Jews in Israel. But Jewish tradition does not remain seated only in Seder chairs and reading from the Haggadah. Later Jewish tradition does not frame redemption as exclusively for Jews. Isaiah expands the focus of freedom and justice to include people of all nations, without regard to ethnic, tribal, political or religious label. The Messiah* becomes a global experience. The Haftarah we read onShabbat morning in two days as Pesach concludes, comes from Isaiah, and views redemption as universal.
Having just welcomed Elijah into our own homes the next step ,after Passover, is thinking beyond our own individual and familial concerns and directing our thoughts and efforts to the needs of all people in crisis. Isaiah echoes the demands of Pesach’s final Torah reading which requires us to uplift the fallen, assist the homeless, share our meals with the lonely and hear the plight of the poor, Israelite and GER alike.
In the observance of Passover we remember those who came before us and helped to define our identity as Jews and as people. Ancestors of millennia ago and our own loved ones who have died more recently have contributed to our singing the songs, hearing the words, committing ourselves to Tzedakah and helping our neighbors- all acts which fulfill the dream of Pesach. May we all hold their memories close
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