Passover - Portal to Freedom

Spring & warmth are in the air. Memories of the snow and the bone chilling cold are swiftly receding into memory. Now that Aviv -- the Hebrew word for spring has arrived, it is time to celebrate the gift of spiritual freedom by observing the Passover rituals.

For 3,320 years since the original Exodus from Egypt in 1313 BCE, members of the Hebrew faith have faithfully and joyfully re-lived its universal message of freedom and liberation. The sages of the Talmud make special note of God’s kindness in liberating the Jewish people in the month of Aviv. For the springtime is the most pleasant of seasons to be outdoors. It is the season to observe the rebirth of nature as vegetation blossoms forth in intoxicating fragrances and colors.

Transcending the Mundane

The Hebrew word for Passover is Pes’ach, literally translated as jumping over. It recalls how the Almighty caused the angel of destruction sent into Egypt to jump and pass-over the homes of the Israelites as it went about punishing the Egyptians with the “plague of the firstborn” as punishment for Egypt’s refusal to grant the Israelites their freedom from slavery.

In effect, Passover today, calls upon us to spiritually jump over the barriers and destructive enslavements we face in our everyday lives. Each and every person has challenges unique to their personality or disposition. Often these challenges may be a preoccupation with an unhealthy addiction or activity that enslaves and limits the individual from reaching their potential.

On any given day a quick read of the media will reveal the many different challenges and foibles we humans are prey to. As such people become enslaved or severely limited in their ability to move forward with their life because they are stuck or mired in a limitation of sorts.

In the Haggada (Passover story narrative) read at the Passover feast it is written “in every generation one is obligated to see himself as having been liberated from Egyptian bondage.”

Upon reflection we can relate to this theme and see its relevancy for our modern day and age. When the desire for fame and fortune becomes an unhealthy obsession it enslaves and stifles our spiritual core. When the pursuit of materialism becomes our only focus it tears us away from family and community. It may be likened to being enslaved to a modern day Pharaoh.

Materialism for its own sake embitters the Neshama (soul) of humankind and fetters the creative spiritual dynamic from expressing its deepest yearnings for freedom and transcendence. Passover with its message of personal freedom is really a portal to the ultimate freedom by allowing us access to our true essence which is our G-dly soul.

To attain truth we ingest humble Matzah

Passover reminds us that earnestness and sincerity go a long way. By eating the flat unleavened bread called Matzah, we are reminded to be humble and unassuming in our lives. An old Hasidic adage says it well. There is nothing more whole and complete than a broken & contrite heart. The simple flat Matzah conveys the lesson that humility and honesty are what keep our faith and humanity alive. The empty puffery and contrived compliments heaped upon the rich and famous is nothing more than a form of enslavement inimical to the message of Passover. The natural simplicity of Matzah -- flour & water, teaches us to seek the truth.

Food of faith - food of health

The Zohar the prime source of Jewish mysticism designates the Matzah as being the food of faith and the food of good health. By ingesting the Matzah, one attains awareness that ““man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of G-d (Deuteronomy 8:3). The time to attain this awareness is at the Passover Seder.

The Four Questions and the four types of personalities

When we are ready to acknowledge that we have existential questions that need answers and when we realize that the four sons enumerated in the Passover Haggadic narrative are reflected in our personalities we are taking the first steps forward in liberating ourselves from the shackles of self absorption and selfishness. The Haggada records that the four types of children regardless of age are “the wise child”, the “rebellious child”, the “simple child”, and the “one who does not know how to ask a question”. By seeing ourselves as complex individuals with an awesome responsibility to bring healing to the world, we will have begun our trek out of bondage and our march towards the utopian Promised Land, Israel.

Today, there is yet a fifth category of child. The one does not attend a Seder, as he/she is not even aware that it is Passover. It is to this child that we must reach out to and embrace with care and love. By having everyone involved, we can bring about the redemption of humankind.

Elijah’s Cup

The most beautiful and ornate ceremonial cup on the Seder table is called the cup of Elijah. This cup is filled to the brim before the conclusion of the Seder ritual. Elijah is the messenger of G-d who will announce the redemption of humankind from atop the Mount of Olives facing the eternal city of Jerusalem. Elijah will herald the good news of the redemption through the righteous Messiah. May it speedily be fulfilled.

* This article is dedicated to the memory of my loving mother Leiba Hecht a true Woman of Valor who passed away January 15, 2004