As we approach the end of this Pesach we reflect on how far the Jewish people have come from being slaves in Egypt. The seventh day was the day that God parted the Red Sea to allow for our ancestors to cross to freedom. Of course, it took much cajoling in the form of the plagues that God inflicted upon the Egyptians for Pharoah to finally say go! Pharaoh had changed his mind once the Israelites were camped at the Red Sea. As the story goes, a great miracle happened and God parted the Red Sea to let the Jewish people pass while closing it at their backs and causing many Egyptians to perish. This was when the Jewish people finally felt that they were free.
While we are no longer slaves to the Egyptian people, Jews have continued to be persecuted by others throughout our history. This story is one of the first of many instances that show the resiliency of the Jewish people. We are a tough tribe and while we have experienced many atrocities, we continue to thrive and prevail. Celebrating Pesach and remembering what our ancestors endured so that we could have a future is extremely important. As a Jewish educator, it is my job to formally teach children this history so that they can understand the sacrifices that those before us made for them to be here today.
As history becomes more and more distant it is easy for people to forget what they have been taught and to take for granted the easier life that they are privileged to enjoy. Each generation the reality of these atrocities becomes more diluted, making it even more vital to remind our children that they are here today because of the heroic measures our people have taken and in spite of the evils that have been inflicted upon us. For this reason it is so important for families to continue the traditions and to tell the stories to keep them alive.
We take for granted many of the freedoms we are allowed, but become rattled when we realize that those freedoms are fragile at best. As I read the news daily about the war in Ukraine, I often think back to what life must have been like for the Jewish people in Egypt, or Nazi Germany beacuse one man decided he and his people were more worthy of a particular land or way of life. It is disheartening that in the 21st century we are still dealing with egomaniacal people who think they are better than others and that their way is the only way.
The Torah (Exodus, 12:15) states: And the seventh day shall be declared a holy day for you. No work shall be done on that day. On this seventh day of Pesach I implore you to take the time to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors and continue to find ways to be resilient and to thrive. Please continue to teach your children about the past because it will impact the future of our people.
As you sit with your children around your table, think about what you can do to protect our people and discuss what they can do to protect themselves and their community in the future. It may be something as simple as asking what they would do if they saw someone being bullied. Would they stand by and let it happen by either joining in the bullying or walking away; or would they take a stand and protect this person. If they are willing to take a stand, what does that look like? These are difficult questions to answer, especially if you are willing to take a stand.
Maybe the questions should stem from the famous quote by Hillel: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Regardless, please keep the conversation open and ongoing and then perhaps history will not repeat itself.
Wishing you all a peaceful Shabbat.
Warmly, Ellen Agulnick Director of Congregational Learning and Programming
CANDLE LIGHTING Friday, April 22 at 7:21 pm
HAVDALAH Saturday, April 23 at 8:25 pm
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Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism