Exodus 2024

From Purim to Passover

In Jewish mythology, we have “Megilat Esther” (the “Book of Esther” or the “Megillah”), which tells the story of how the Persians wanted to annihilate the Jewish people, and how their fate turned. The story is set in the Persian Empire and unfolds in the city of Susa. It occurred during the reign of King Ahasuerus (commonly identified as Xerxes I), roughly during the 5th century BCE.

Esther is A Jewish woman who by a stroke of luck and resilience becomes queen of Persia. Mordecai, Esther's guardian, who also serves in a minor official capacity at the king's gates, is at her side and aid. They are both faced with Haman, a high-ranking advisor to the king, who plots to destroy the Jewish people. In the story, King Ahasuerus is the Persian king who unwittingly approves Haman's plan to annihilate the Jews. This decision of his sets the events in motion.

Esther is chosen as queen after the king banishes his former queen, Vashti, for disobedience. Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate the king, which he reports through Esther, earning the king’s favor (recorded in the royal chronicles). Haman, angered by Mordecai's refusal to bow to him, casts lots (Pur, hence Purim) to determine the date to exterminate all Jews in the empire. Esther reveals her Jewish identity and Haman’s plot to the king during a banquet. The king allows Esther and Mordecai to write a new decree enabling Jews to defend themselves against their enemies.

“We are reminded of the survival of the Jewish people against a planned genocide.”

Although God is not mentioned in the book, many interpret the events as examples of divine intervention and providence. The story highlights dramatic reversals. Haman is executed on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, and the Jews go from facing annihilation to defeating their enemies.

Fast forward to our days, although the Iranian strike against Israel was sometime after Purim on our calendar, its damages or lack thereof, are reminiscent of the Purim reversal of fortune.

• 120 ballistic missiles
• 30 cruise missiles
• 170 drones

Were launched to Israel, and there was not one casualty. Many powers coordinated so that the Iranian scheme would fail, again.

The Exodus story

The Exodus is celebrated during Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) with the Seder meal, which includes readings, songs, and symbolic foods to commemorate the liberation from slavery and the journey to becoming a free people under God's guidance. This event is central to Jewish identity, embodying themes of freedom, redemption, and faith. It also underscores the covenantal relationship between God and the Israelites, as it leads to their receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, another cornerstone of Jewish faith and practice.

“As we retell the Exodus story, we find ourselves reflecting on freedom's fragile grasp in our own times.” retell the Exodus story, we find ourselves reflecting on freedom's fragile grasp in our own times.”

In one of the traditional songs we sing on Passover eve while reading the “Haggadah” (the book that tells the story of the Exodus), we sing: “When the people of Israel left Egypt, the house of Jacob from a foreign land, Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion." The song continues with: "Vehi sheamda la'avotainu velanu. Shelo echad bilvad amad aleinu lechaloteinu, velo echad bilvad, ela shebechol dor vador omdim aleinu lechaloteinu, vehaKadosh Baruch Hu matzilenu mi'yadam." Translated, this reads: "And this has stood for our ancestors and for us. For not only one has risen against us to annihilate us, but in every generation they rise against us to annihilate us; and the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves us from their hands."

“In every generation, challenges arise, yet the spirit of resilience remains unbroken — a testament of faith through adversity.”

This year, this passage that reflects on the continual survival of the Jewish people despite adversity, attributing our endurance to the divine promise and protection, will trigger some deep uncomfortable feelings, and thoughts.

As we prepare for the Seder, let’s see how this correlates with the events of the last 198 days. The Haggadah is designed to fulfill the biblical commandment to tell our children about the Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt. It is read during the Passover Seder.

The Haggadah outlines the steps of the Seder, including rituals like drinking four cups of wine, eating matzah, and recounting the story of the Exodus.

We ask the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah): usually by the youngest child, these questions inquire why this night is different from all other nights, leading into the story of the Exodus.

A retelling of the Jews' slavery in Egypt, the Ten Plagues, and their eventual freedom

The Haggadah includes rabbinical arguments on how to interpret the events and commandments, it contains various songs and praises and conveys the following themes:

• Freedom and Redemption: Celebrates the freedom of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
• Education and Tradition: Emphasizes the importance of passing down historical and religious traditions across generations.
• Gratitude to God: Expresses gratitude for divine interventions and blessings.
• Community and Inclusivity: Encourages welcoming others, as embodied in the invitation to all who are hungry to come and eat.
• Symbolic Foods: The Haggadah explains the symbolism of foods on the Seder plate, such as bitter herbs (maror) representing the bitterness of slavery, and charoset (a sweet paste) symbolizing the mortar used by the Israelite slaves.

?

Oct. 7th enslavement

This year, the part about being freed from slavery and delivered to the promised land will be challenged by the brutal reality we have been living since Oct. 7th, 2023.

133 of our sisters and brothers are held hostage for 198 days in Gaza by a terror organization. This can not be tolerated.

"There will be no festive eve for them tomorrow, after they have been kidnapped on the holy day of Simchat Torah on Oct. 7th."

This year when the Seder is upon us tomorrow evening, I feel like we are back in ancient Egypt waiting for the Exodus, for 198 days.

It’s with a heavy heart that we will be sitting at the Seder table this year, to tell our children the tale of Exodus to redemption, from slavery to a free people, when 133 of our sisters and brothers are held in captivity. Some enslaved and abused in a horrible way.

There will be no festive eve for them tomorrow, after they have been kidnapped on the holy day of Simchat Torah on Oct. 7th.

I can not imagine the emotional state they are in, when the war has practically ended, and they have been left at the mercy of these cowardly terrorists. I can only wish upon all of us, that this ordeal will end soon, and that all of our captive hostages will return safely to their homes and families.

#Oct.7 #Israel #Passover #hostages #redemption #freedom #BringThemHomeNow