blogs/rabbi-huberman

We read 54 sections of the Torah each year.

But, there is no parashah more important to your family and to the continuity of the Jewish people than the one we read this week. You already know it — perhaps not verbatim, but in spirit.

God, through Moses and his spokesperson Aaron, demands that Pharaoh, “Let my people go....”

And, as they say, “The rest is history.” Pharaoh’s heart hardens, God brings three final plagues upon the Egyptians — locusts, darkness and death of the first born — and at last, the Israelites are set free.

This inspiring story has served as the cornerstone of Jewish observance for more than 3,000 years, and we will recount it in less than two months, during Passover.

Whether you read the full Haggadah at the Seder table or Haggadah lite or the 30, 20 or 10-minute version, the story is fundamental to who we are. 

In Israel, where more than 41 percent of citizens classify themselves as “secular,” more than 90 per cent of the entire population reports that they meet on the first night of Passover and tell the story of our liberation.

Where did this tradition come from? It can be traced to two passages in this week’s Torah portion.

On the cusp of freedom, in a ritual that would eventually become the Seder, each family was commanded to acquire a lamb and consume it. No leftovers.

But what if you had a small family? The Torah has that covered.

“If the household is too small for a lamb, let him share it with the neighbor who lives nearby.” (Exodus 12:4)

And what do you do at the table while you consume this huge meal? You recount the story of the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. 

Or, in the Torah’s words: “You shall observe this as an institution for all time, for you and your descendants.” (Exodus 12:24).

I don’t know about you, but I remember some Seders in my youth that were not particularly engaging. There was a lot of speed reading. I remember asking my parents, “When do we eat?” or “What does this mean?”

The Torah saw this coming.

“And when your children ask you, “Why do we have to do this?” You shall say, “We do this because God passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and smote the Egyptians but saved our houses.” (Exodus 12:26)

And from those Torah passages, your Passover Seder was born.

We are a people of story tellers. Your children and grandchildren are eager to know where they come from. They want to feel proud of their ancestry. We all want religion and tradition to give greater meaning to our lives.

Too many traditional Seders miss the point.

Perhaps it is better to do much less, and have an impact on our children and grandchildren, than to cloak this timeless and inspiring story in length and untouchable language.

Two thousand years ago, our Sages placed all of the prayers and accounts of the Exodus in one volume known as the Haggadah. We thank them for compiling this manual on how to order the Seder.

But the story can’t end there.

For persecution in this world has changed over time. Many forms of slavery endure. For too many, freedom is just another word.

I was fortunate growing up within a “mixed family.” My father’s side was classically observant. I love to explore the melodies and meaning behind each page.

But, perhaps more importantly, my mother’s side, which was secularly observant, taught me that the words mean nothing without stories, expression, example and lessons.

In particular this week, the week when my mother turned 96, God bless her, I cherish those lessons learned around the Passover table; Zaidie Nissan would rise and read each word in a way that caused me to think about how I can be a better person.

These days, many ask me whether it’s okay to read from a shortened version of the official Haggadah. Many add readings, articles and poetry. We welcome those of other backgrounds to the table.

Many include today’s plagues and their antidotes.

In a world where we are reluctant to encourage young people to sit still for anything, is it possible to take the lessons of Pesach, and make them relevant to today?

The current Zoom revolution teaches us that yes we can. Shorter, more meaningful, to the point. The evolving Seder still serves to celebrate our freedom, as we rededicate ourselves to ensuring the freedom of ourselves and others.

All the rest, my friends, is commentary.

Passover traditions are precious. How we spill wine varies family to family. Do you put parsley or a potato on your Seder plate? Do you include, “Go down Moses”? Have you considered adding the ritual of Miriam’s Cup?

Whether you sing the entire Dayenu or not, these precious rituals and traditions comprise a sacred and enduring part of our collective DNA.

The important thing is that we gather, share our food, consider the meaning of freedom, and challenge ourselves with new and evolving ways to tell the story.

For while the words of the Torah have remained the same, we and our world continue to change — generation to generation.

Indeed, the Pesach story continues to define us as individuals, as families and as a people.

We are the caretakers of freedom. We are transmitters of stories. We are the bridge between our ancient history and the future.

For we have been there and this has made us sensitive to the pain of others. Since our time of Egyptian bondage, we have learned that freedom must be earned, protected and maintained.

Indeed, it is very easy within any society for justice and freedom to be crushed and ravaged by Pharaohs past, present and future.

And that has not changed — from the pages of the Torah to these current and fragile times.

Shabbat Shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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