Celebrating freedom in a troubled time
The Jewish festival of Passover, which continues through eight days, is a perfect example of a bittersweet occasion by its very nature.
On the one hand it is a festival celebrating freedom. Each year families and friends gather to retell the story of the ancient Israelites liberation from Egypt. What could be a more joyous occasion?
But there are solemn aspects to the holiday as well. The liturgy reminds participants of the terrible hardships endured by the enslaved Israelites. The consumption of bitter herbs and unleavened bread emphasize that idea. And during the ceremonial Seder meal that opens the festival, participants are instructed to spill drops of wine as the plagues that befell the ancient Egyptians are recited. It’s a symbol of taking no pleasure in others’ misfortune, regardless of the circumstances.
This year’s observances will be more solemn than usual amid war in the Middle East and a continued surge in antisemitism here and around the world. The famous rallying cry “Let my people go” has added resonance when Jews are being held hostage.
Reasonable people can disagree about who is to blame for the situation in Gaza and how Israel should have responded to the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7. But there is no excuse for accosting and even assaulting Jewish individuals on college campuses and city streets, vandalizing and threatening synagogues and other Jewish institutions and disrupting events that have absolutely nothing to do with Israel and its policies.
Jews themselves are not in agreement on all the issues facing Israel, many of which have been debated since the founding of the state 76 years ago and even before that. That’s true of the diaspora Jews around the world and those who reside in the Holy Land.
At the same time, Passover emphasizes the connection Jews feel with one another and with God. The service that accompanies the holiday’s festive meals stresses that participants should feel as if they themselves were among those who won freedom from slavery in Egypt through divine providence.
The Haggadah — the text read at the ceremonial seder meal — also contains a reminder of what Jews and their friends of other faiths know all too well: That Jews are repeatedly singled out for oppression. “For not only one (enemy) has risen up against us to destroy us, but in every generation they rise up to destroy us,” the Haggadah says. “But the Holy One, Blessed be He, delivers us from their hands.” It’s a passage that speaks to the power of faith and gratitude for God’s protection amid a long history of persecution.
That’s why Jews will be celebrating this week with the same spirit of gratitude they bring to every Passover celebration. And in communities like ours they will be reminded that they still have many, many friends.
Every year Passover offers people of goodwill a chance to connect across religions and cultures. For starters, this holiday with ancient roots has retained tremendous resonance over countless generations for all who thirst for freedom or are grateful to have it.
The observance of Passover often overlaps with Easter. Even when it doesn’t, as is the case this year, the connections between the spring holidays are clear. The events commemorated during Christian Holy Week took place at the Passover season, and Christians tie great theological significance to the festival and its ancient rites.
The Passover seder itself, traditionally held in people’s homes with large gatherings of extended family and friends, is a particularly great opportunity for interfaith fellowship.
With all that in mind, it’s clear Passover represents an opportunity to fight back against ignorance and bigotry by emphasizing what Jews and Christians have in common.
Remember too that the Exodus story has deep meaning for all oppressed people, not just Jews.
This is an ideal moment for us to connect and show those who seek to divide us that they are not going to succeed in the long run.
Passover offers people a chance to connect across religions and cultures. It has resonance for all who thirst for freedom.