Passover which commemorates the Hebrews’ liberation from enslavement in Egypt and the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites is one of Judaism’s most significant holidays. This year it was cel- ebrated on 4/12 and 4/13. This holiday, rooted in history, finds a way to speak the universal truth to all. The primary ritual of the holiday is a festive meal, known as a Seder, during which we retell the story of our ancestors suffering in Egypt, the miracles that were done for them, and the journey from slavery to freedom. But it is more than just a retelling; the rituals and food associated with the meal are experi- ential, so that we get a taste of their expe- riences – it becomes “our story.” We eat bitter herbs to remind us of their bitter experiences, we dip food into salt water to remember their tears, and we eat matzah because there was not time for their bread to rise when they fled from Egypt.
While our focus is on the historical event, as retold in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) and in the Old Testa- ment of the Christian Bible, the message stretches across time. The Exodus is a compelling story because of the universal message of a people emerging from suf- fering to attain freedom. Dr. Luther King Jr. resonated with the figure of Moses, be- cause he related to the story of a leader guiding his people from slavery to free- dom. Passover always finds a way to speak to the contemporary moment.
It is striking how this holiday, while rooted in history, constantly finds ways to speak to the current moment in which we are living. At its core the message of Passover is “we were slaves in Egypt, but now we are free. “This year I am resonat- ing with the idea of a people struggling to leave Egypt. But for me this is not a story about the geographical country, rather it is about Egypt as Mitzrayim (the Hebrew name) which has a meaning of narrow places. Mitzrayim is symbolic of any place where we are oppressed, where we are restricted, where we are unable to stretch out and be free. It feels like we are living through a Mitzrayim moment. For the Jewish community we cannot avoid the experience of rising levels of antisem- itism in this country. And for our world we cannot ignore the rising levels of hate and prejudice, the increasing oppression and discrimination against minority groups, and the challenges to freedom of speech.
This year when we say “we were slaves in Egypt” we might understand those words against the backdrop of our contempo- rary situation. But through the Seder we are reminded that we were able to over- come, Pharaoh was defeated, and our people crossed the sea to freedom. Today, as every year, we pray to leave Mitzrayim behind so that we can all be free.
Rabbi Burkeman is from the Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Rd. He is also the Chairperson of the Wayland In- terfaith Leaders Association.
