Guest Post from Rev. Steven Greenebaum: Passover Thoughts
This Pesach/Passover, I was by myself and, frankly, limited in what I could prepare. But that’s hardly an excuse for not observing the so very important and holy tradition of a seder. I am reminded of my brothers and sisters who celebrated the Passover during the Inquisition, and other who celebrated it during the Shoah. Hardship is no excuse.
Indeed, a difficult Pesach is a reminder of our history. But for me it is more than that. Pesach/Passover is a deeply spiritual time to remember and reflect, both that freedom isn’t cheap and also that **everyone** deserves to be free – no exceptions. To me, Passover was never a story of the “poor Jews” being enslaved by the “evil Egyptians” and the God of the Jews entering into the affair of humanity to set His people free. Passover was the story of an oppressed people and how oppression must be resisted. Always.
And today especially, we are reminded that oppression must be resisted. This year, then, Passover is especially relevant and close to home. Below is how I’ll begin the seder. I share it in the spirit of love and freedom that is for me the very core of Pesach. I was by myself but not alone.
***
On this day, holy unto Israel, I unite with my brethren in worship. O Lord our God, and God of our heritage, we greet this festival of freedom with joyous and hopeful hearts as we seek Thy presence. May we be imbued with a deep sense of our duty as free men and women; and wherever we may gather, however we may celebrate, may we be mindful of all who still dwell in the house of bondage and eat the bread of affliction.
O that the good tidings of redemption may be heard in every land, by every race, every religion, every people. May all who hunger after freedom and justice find that hunger satisfied, as ours was satisfied three thousand years ago. May all of humanity be blessed with the joys of brotherhood and peace.
Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, our light and our guide, who has sustained us and permitted us to celebrate this joyous festival.
Amen.
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