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Each year, Rabbi Blake composes a prayer that we invite our community to share around their Seder tables. This year’s prayer is below - sent with our wishes for a Zissen Pesach, a Passover that is sweet and meaningful.
A Prayer for Pesach 5786 / 2025
Rabbi Jonathan E. Blake
Eternal God,
Another Season of Liberation - Z’man Cheruteinu - has come.
Another year of asking the questions and telling the story,
Of filling the cups and draining them,
Of holding our loved ones close and reminding them—and us—that we need one another.
Another year of empty chairs at the Seder table,
Another year of our loved ones in captivity.
Of saltwater tears and the bitter taste of war,
Of downing the bread of affliction between clenched teeth.
Another year of fear and uncertainty,
Another year of dreams unfulfilled,
Of nights that are not like all other nights,
Of days that repeat themselves like plagues.
And yet our Seder is a sign of hope.
A sign, a wonder - that even now, we believe in deliverance.
A tribute to all our ancestors who weathered storms and emerged with strength,
A tribute to our heroes who are fighting for their lives in Israel.
Our Seder reminds us that even in darkest times, we seek the light
Of the Divine presence, and find that God’s prophet Elijah
Is ready to greet us whenever we open the door of hope,
Promising “Next Year in Jerusalem,”
Next year, a Jewish people made whole,
Next year, an Israel at peace,
Next year, embraced by compassion and kindness,
Next year, renewed in body and spirit.
As for this year?
We all have work to do:
A Seder, an order of prayer and song, questions and stories.
They remind us of who we are, and what God asks of us.
Amen
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