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Theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote, “Freedom means more than mere emancipation… The glory of a free society lies not only in the consciousness of my right to be free, and my capacity to be free, but also in the realization of my fellow man’s right to be free, and his capacity to be free.”

In a few days we are going to sit around our seder tables and retell the story of our Exodus from Egypt, our literal escape from slavery. Freedom is in the DNA of Jewish peoplehood and is a theme, that while with us throughout the calendar year, is especially poignant now. Passover represents both personal and societal freedom. As individuals, Passover teaches us that we are beholden to only our God, that we were made to be free, and to live to our greatest potential. The Exodus from Egypt is also the catalytic event that advanced the Jewish people to become a Jewish nation of laws.

We are not the only religious people with a set of laws and beliefs in America. Things get sticky when many peoples following many religious principles must operate under one national set of laws. This is where we find ourselves today-grappling and struggling to find common ground that serves all humans who live within our borders, not favoring one religion or another. How are powers to limit and expand being exercised in a way that serves all fairly?

Rabbi Yitz Greenberg wrote, “The Exodus serves as a kind of navigational star by which to measure whether we are heading on the right path.” I hope we can be re-inspired by our story this season, and in doing so, commit ourselves to building a world of equality, compassion, safety, and peace.

Shabbat shalom and a zissen Pesach from my family to yours,

Beth