Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 March 1972 — Page 17

THE JEWISH POST AND OPINION

Friday, March 37, 7972

Passover's AAeaning To Us

By RABBI D. GOLOVENSKY The Passover Festival commemorates the dramatic struggles of the early Israelites for freedom from slavery, and their redemption from Egyptian bondage in the days of Pharaoh (Rameses II, 1300 B.C.E.). Through the painful experience of modern war, we have learned that the quest for human liberty is continuous. Thus did our sages counsel: “In every age, each Jew should feel as if he, himself, was emancipated from Egypt.” We must not take freedom for granted, even when we enjoy its blessings, as we do in America. We must moreover, be ready to fight for it when it is denied or threatened, as it is today, by forces of totalitarianism. OUR ANCESTORS were enslaved for 210 years in ancient Egypt. In the fulness of time, their anguished cries for help were heard by God who

sent Moses to demand of Pharaoh that he free his Israelite subjects. When Pharaoh defied the divine will, ten plagues were inflicted upon the Egyptians. These afflictions, especially the last one — “the smiting of the First Born,” had the desired effect, and the Israelites were hastily sent out. Their departure is known as “The Exodus.” Several days later, the Egyptians had a change of heart and decided to pursue the Israelites, to drag them back into slavery. As the refugees were approaching the Red Sea, they discovered the advancing Egyptians and, hysterically, cried for help. God then said to Moses, Tell the children of Israel to move forward. Order them to advance. Let them, if need be, plunge into the waters of the Red Sea. The Israelites obeyed and as they moved into the sea, a great miracle occurred! The waters

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spread apart, opening a path for the Israelites to cross in safety. But when the Egyptians behind them attempted to follow, the waters of the Red Sea returned to their place, drowning the pursuers. THIS DIVINE redemption inspired Moses and the Israelites to offer a song of thanksgiving: “The Lord is mv strength

and song:

He is become my salvation. This is my God, and I will glorify Him: My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” (Exodus 15:2) This thrilling chapter in the story of the Jewish people is recounted and dramatized in the beautiful Seder service of Passover night. The Seder, however, does more than commemorate the triumph of our forefathers. THE SEDER is meant to bring the Jewish family together — father, mother, sisters, brothers. Every member of the family, old and young, has his place at the Seder table. Event for those away from home, the Seder serves an important family function. The rituals and symbols we use at a military or communal Seder r eunite us with our families. A Seder under the circumstances, becomes a link between us and our dear ones. It strengthens our ties with our families and with the Jewish faith they

taught us.

It is not only of our kin that we are mindful at the Seder. The first passage we read in the Haggadah (The Seder ritual) extends an invitation to strangers to join our festive board. “Whosoever is in need, let him come and eat with us; whosoever is hungry. Let him partake of our feast.” The breaking of the Matzoh has been interpreted as a symbol of our eagerness to share our food with others. THE FEELING OF unity among Jews, as emphasized in the ceremonies of Passover, stems from our collective experiences in Egypt. The Rabbis tell us that, when the Israelites were in Egypt, they made a covenant with each other to perform charitable deeds among themselves and to help each other. This feeling of solidarity persisted through the ages to our day. (Continued on Next Page)

Todays' Love Columns (Continued from Preceding Pg.) social reformer, and a protoZionist. As far back as 1820 he wanted to establish a colony for Jews near Buffalo and, from his earliest days, he hammered constantly on the theme that Palestine must be restored to the Jews and an independent state reestablished. HE WAS ALSO Sheriff of New York City and when someone sneered saying it was too bad that a Jew had the right to hang a Christian, he is reputed to have answered, “it was a pity that Christians had to be hanged.” Much of the huge literature on this fascinating personality is in manuscript form. Copies are on deposit at the American Jewish Archives. Dr. Marcus is director of the American Jewish Archives of the Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion.

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