Passover begins on Saturday evening. You’re either getting ready for Seder in your home or making plans to travel to family or friends. More than the High Holydays or even Chanukah, Passover remains the single most important holiday for Jewish families. It’s not because families love a long Seder. Today, you can find a 30-minute Seder on the Internet. I have even heard of a 2-minute Seder. I probably shouldn’t have told you that. But, it’s true. The “charoset” that holds family Seders together isn’t just the story of Passover; it’s the table, the dishes, the foods, the smells, the tastes, and the “maror.” Who doesn’t test themselves with a mouthful of bitter herbs, the white stuff, not the red stuff? And, does anyone make homemade gefilte fish? It’s one of my favorites.
In addition, just before Passover begins, we observe a special Shabbat that begins this Friday night. It’s called Shabbat Hagadol, the Great Sabbath. It’s typically the Sabbath when the rabbi would give all the directions and instructions for making Passover preparations. It was also, traditionally, one of only two times during the year that the rabbi gave a sermon. I probably shouldn’t have told you that either. But, it’s true. Nevertheless, this Friday night on Shabbat, in the Chapel, Cantor Gerber and I will lead services with beautiful music, a reading from Torah, and only a few words on Passover themes.
On Saturday evening, when you come to the table on Passover this year, I imagine that you’ll be joined by many family and friends. Some have grown. Some have come back from college or from new places they call home. And, some who have gone from life will return to us in memory. You and I can’t help but feel overwhelmed by their absence at the Seder table. They used to be our table partner. They used to point at the part to read when it came to our turn. They used to make us feel like we belonged to someone. You won’t be the only one at the table who misses them. You’re not really alone. May I suggest that when it does come to your turn to read that you dedicate your reading to their memory; or recall a favorite part of the Seder they loved most; or tell a favorite story that was their custom to share every year even if everyone grew tired of it.
Now, this year my oldest son, who’s leaving for college in the fall, asked for a family-only Seder on the second night. He wants to take something with him to college besides his laptop and my money. He wants to take a part of his family experience that he hopes will sustain him until next year when he comes home, God willing, for Seder again. And, my hope? That such positive memories will inspire him to create Seders of his own in the future, from generation to generation.
Passover is about memories. Yes, it’s about hope and about freedom; but, if it isn’t about remembering then we would have nothing to tell about slavery, redemption and freedom. So, please remember those who have gone from life and create memories with your children for generations to come. Then when you end the Seder and recite, “Next Year in Jerusalem; Next year may all be free,” know that Jerusalem and freedom are not only literal hopes for the future, but also figurative hopes for freedom to live with peace in your heart, today.
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom and Happy Passover.
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