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The many faces of Passover-Hag Ha’Matzot (the holiday of Matzah), Hag Ha’Pesach (the holiday of the Paschal lamb), and Hag Ha’Aviv (the holiday of Spring).
Celebrated in the first month of the Jewish calendar, Passover has special meaning this year as the Spring festival. Spring is the time of rebirth. As the chill of winter passes, new blossoms of hope spring forth. For communities worldwide, this has been a difficult year to date. We need what Passover has to offer.
The State of Israel is in the second year of armed conflict with Hamas in Gaza! Over 50 hostages, 25 of whom are still considered alive, remain in captivity. The war resulting from the invasion of Ukraine by forces from Russia is now in its third year. The reckless tariffs imposed by the U.S. president threaten the economic stability of the world’s economy. Not to mention, the draconian attacks on legal and illegal immigrants, and the concerted effort to dismantle our institutions of higher learning. Passover could not have come at a better time!
The Passover story of liberation and freedom is a thread of hope for the human spirit in the theme of Spring. Just as the barren trees of winter cast a lifeless appearance only to recapture their strength and beauty in the Spring, so to the human spirit also has the capacity for rebirth. We are capable of standing tall against aggression, be it homegrown or overseas. We are also blessed with a Jewish tradition, and American Constitution, committed to the rule of law, demanding we show compassion and justice to the strangers among us.
The human spirit, the gift of God, is imbued with limitless strength and courage. Its character is indestructible. Who would have ever thought a lowly collection of slaves could stand up against the might of Pharaoh, and prevail? Who would have ever believed that the dream of a Jewish state would actually come true? This is why we have Passover, to remind us of who we are and what we’re made of. We have done it before, we can do it again. Especially, this year.
Rabbi Howard Siegel
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