Pent. Lev. 16:1-18:30
The Mishnaic laws regarding Passover states:
In every generation a person is obligated to see her/himself as if s/he actually came out of Egypt.
(Mishnah Pesachim 10:5)
But is it possible for each person in every generation to see her/himself as if s/he came out of Egypt? It is easy for the generation who was there. And it may even come naturally to their children. Even the third generation, the grandchildren of those who were freed from slavery in Egypt, may feel as though they themselves crossed the sea, baked matza in the sun and followed in the footsteps of Moses and Miriam. But what about the fourth generation? Or the Jews born in Spain or the shtetls of Eastern Europe centuries later? What about our grandparents passing through Ellis Island? Or us, the generation 2,000 years removed from the days of Moses and Pharaoh? And what about the generations yet to be born? Will they see themselves as if they came out of Egypt?
Before the Israelites had even left Egypt, they are told to remember this day. The Torah states that it is an obligation to make the celebration of Passover a day of remembrance in every generation (Exodus 12:14). Each year we are to come together with family and friends to reenact the meal that occurred the night immediately preceding the Exodus:
You shall keep watch over a lamb until the fourteenth day of this month (Nisan); and on that day all the Israelites shall Come Together to slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts of the houses in which they are to eat it. They shall eat the flesh that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire, with unleavened bread (Matzah) and with bitter herbs (Maror). Exodus 12:6-8
Reenacting this first celebration is central to our traditions today. But the Mishnah teaches that we must go a step further. Not only are we to remember the Exodus from Egypt in each generation, but we are also obligated to feel as if we are personally made the journey to freedom (Mishnah Pesachim 10:5). Each year we must put ourselves and the realities of our generations into the story. Last week, Rabbi Shanks provided many helpful resources. But as you make your last minute preparations, I ask you to now think more personally:
Who or what is your PHARAOH?
Who or what is your MOSES?
What is your FREEDOM?
By considering, and perhaps even sharing the answers to these questions, you bring your own experiences into your seders. This year as we celebrate the Israelites exodus from Egypt, let us also acknowledge our own journeys from slavery to freedom.
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Samayach,
Rabbi Alissa Forrest
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