Liberation of Labeling
On Saturday evening, April 7th, Jews world over will be celebrating the holiday of Passover. This holiday commemorates the exodus of Jews, after hundreds of years of slavery, from the land of Egypt, some 3,213 years ago. Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday of biblical origin. It marks the birth of the Jews as a free people under the leadership of Moses, who is considered the greatest Jewish prophet in history. The Jewish nation wandered forty years in the desert culminating with the arrival in the land now called Israel. On this night families gather together and observe the holiday by reciting the story of enslavement and their miraculous freedom from a book called The Hagaddah. The meal is replete with many symbols. The wine represents wealth and happiness. The horseradish - bitter herbs - represent the bitterness of slavery. Most importantly they eat Matza, the unleavened bread. This represents bread baked hurriedly by Jews during their departure from Egypt.
Speaking about Hagaddahs, we find some have been preserved in manuscript form with beautiful artistic illuminations. There are some as old as 700 years. The first Hagaddah was printed in Italy in the year 1485 and is called 'Machzor Soncino.' Since the 16th century the Haggadah has reappeared in countless languages and translations with various illustrations. The Haggadah means narration of the Passover story. It is in accordance with the commandment in the Torah 'Thou shall tell thy son that G‑d did this for me when I came out of Egypt' (Exodus 13.8). In the narration we are told of four types of children, the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one totally unable to ask questions.
A highlight of the Passover celebration is the children asking four questions. The child asks about the traditions of eating the unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the general protocol of that night.
In todays turbulent society Passover Hagaddahs are being printed by all kinds of movements. Today we find a gay and lesbian Haggadah, a communist Hagaddah, a Hagaddah for the anarchist, a Hagaddah for the intermarried and a Hagaddah for the Christians celebrating the Jewish Passover. It is incredible that the message of the Hagaddah, which was meant to be inclusive, is now being used for the very opposite.
Instead of the Hagaddah bringing the four children together, which symbolizes four different kinds of children, the very opposite has happened. Each child has decided to make their own movement, thus destroying the message of Passover's liberation.
The whole idea of this celebration is to be liberated from the enslavement of being labeled different and discriminated against. The coming together of family on Passover is to teach harmony and acceptance of the children no matter what lifestyle or philosophy they possess.
It would be good for us to reevaluate the message of Passover and to go back to the original Hagaddah text written some 34 centuries ago, when the message of hope, courage, and strength to all people was a highlight and common denominator. Imagine the equality felt by all when the original story is read, conveying a message for all people regardless of gender, creed, and race. For me, the message of Passover is "freedom and liberation for all."
So this year instead of bringing your own Hagaddah to the table and making a statement of individuality and independence, find an original and celebrate the holiday as one big happy family. It's far more important to practice the common denominator of humanity by being liberated from all discriminations. Together we make music and joy.
So whether you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Agnostic, atheist, or a no label, this is your night. Let's all appreciate being liberated from being labeled and stereotyped.
As there is no monopoly for celebrating self liberation, this Passover bring a friend or a stranger to your Passover celebration.
A happy Passover to you.