Passover is Approaching
Passover is the Jewish holiday commemorating the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Mitzryaim.Â
"In Hebrew, Egypt is called Mitzrayim. According to the text on Jewish mysticism, the Zohar, the name is derived from m'tzarim, meaning "narrow straits" (mi, "from," tzar, "narrow" or "tight"). When God took us out of Mitzrayim, He extricated us from the place of constricted opportunities, tight control, and narrow-mindedness, where movement was severely limited." - From My Jewish Learning.
One of Passover's central themes is freedom, and another name for the holiday is Zman Cherutainu - a time for our freedom. We celebrate our liberation from slavery in Mitzrayim and remove all chametz from our homes, but we must also strive to achieve freedom on a spiritual level. Removing the spiritual chametz from our lives is essential in attaining our liberation. It is a process of self-examination and introspection that allows us to let go of what is holding us back and embrace a new beginning.
Passover is also a time to reflect on our lives and consider how we can become better versions of ourselves. It is a time to appreciate our blessings and give thanks for the opportunities we are given. As we celebrate Passover, may we all find the courage to release the spiritual chametz in our lives and embrace a new beginning. May we find freedom from whatever is holding us back and be inspired to live our lives in a way that honors the legacy of our ancestors. May this Passover be a time of joy, connection, and spiritual growth for us all.
The Seder
The Passover Seder is a central part of the Passover celebration. The Passover seder is when we come together with family and friends to share a meal, tell the story of our liberation, and connect with our shared history and traditions. It is a ritual feast that includes retelling the story of the Exodus from Mitzryaim, eating symbolic foods, and singing traditional songs.Â
During the Seder, we retell the story of our liberation, and we remember how God heard the cries of the Israelites and led them out of bondage to freedom and redemption. The Passover story reminds us that freedom is not just about physical liberation but also about breaking free from the chains of our internal struggles.
The seder also teaches us the importance of fighting against oppression and standing up for the marginalized and oppressed in our society. We must be inspired by the story of our ancestors' journey to liberation and use it as a catalyst to fight for a better world today. As Jews, we have a responsibility to work toward the liberation of all in our society, especially those who are suffering.
May this Passover be a time of joy, connection, and transformation for us all.
The Narrow Place
"The whole world is a very narrow bridge. And the most important thing is not to be afraid." This quote is attributed to Reb Nachman of Bratslav, and Rabbi Baruch Chait later turned these words into a song.Â
The word Mitzrayim. as stated above, is derived from m'tzarim, meaning "narrow straits" (mi, "from," tzar, "narrow," or "tight"). Mitzrayim is the narrow place, the place of constriction, the place that caused us pain, and the place we were not free. We all have challenges in life; maybe one was coming to the Red Sea and wondering how you would cross it, or perhaps you want to do something for the first time. Whatever those challenges are, the important thing is not to be afraid, and if you are afraid, don't let fear hold you back.Â
In preparation for Passover, I started to think about the words of Reb Nachman. Here is my take, and I've been singing this as I prepare for the holiday.Â
My Passover Playlist
Hag Sameach! May you have a sweet, wonderful and meaningful Passover.
Happy Passover!
Thank you for this Rabbi! Happy Pesach!