Passover: As if we were there....

Each year, Jews around the world are told to remember the events of Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, as if they themselves were there and present at the time. But what does this mean and why is it so important? Why is it not just another occasion of memorial and tribute? Let's explore why and how we can and should relate our people's departure from Egypt millenia ago to our personal lives today.

First, we must recognize that behind the rituals and matzah is a celabration of individual freedom and liberty. This is important, as never before was their such value placed upon the rights of the individual verses the state, or kingdom. In ancient Egypt, the Pharoah was viewed as a god and ruled with absolute authority over his subjects..."So let be written, so let it be done," to quote from the movie, the Ten Commandments. To challenge Pharoah's authority as Moses did was unacceptable and unheard of. We also have discussed previously that once at Sinai it was Moses' own father-in-law, Jethro who formulated a system of democratic rule for the Hebrew tribes. And we know that it was a reluctant prophet, Samuel, who later appointed Saul as first king of the Israelites when the masses demanded it. It is within the story of Passover that this concept of individual rights and freedoms is first revealed and where the idea of a day of rest is first presented.

Today, we face a similar battle of ideals between the world's democracies and Islamic extremists who fight for the rule of strict Koranic law over individual rights. Rather than a god-king, they propose that a small number of clerics and mullahs, as proper interpreters of the Koran, should decide for the collective masses that live under them. Complete surrender to their view of Allah would be required by force, if necessary. Through capturing the feeling of being present during the Exodus, we can make Passover relevant to our lives and find inspiration to fight for the rights of all who face persecution and subjugation throughout the world.

Our rabbis also tell us that Torah can be interpreted metaphorically. With regards to the story of Passover, we also see that Kabbalah teaches that each of our souls are currently held in bondage to the material world through our physical existence. Not long ago, we started to explore how a mystical interpretation of Genesis shows that the "Fall" of Adam and Eve from Eden marked humanity's descent from the spiritual plane to corporeal reality. Through concentrated prayer and meditation we can raise our consciousness to higher realms and ascend back to our natural state of Eden. That is the secret of living a Jewish life...to make ordinary moments sacred and thus unleash the holy sparks hidden within the husks of materiality. Jewish rituals and commandments are not meant to be restrictive, but freeing by creating opportunity to be aware of the Divine within our daily activities. For example, this is the real reason for the Kosher dietary laws. But it is the individual's choice to interpret and follow the commandments as they see fit to do so. Again, it is within the story of Passover that the freedom of individual choice is first promoted.

Whether we are standing up for political freedoms throughout the world, or fighting a spiritual war against physical temptations, we can find inspiration in the story of Passover. We should be proud that this heritage belongs to us and can serve as an example to humanity in general. To think that it was a nation of former slaves that first presented the ideals of freedom to the world is simply awesome to consider. It is now up to each of us to see that this legacy is preserved for future generations.

Happy Passover!

Shmuel