Jews the world over would have normally gathered in homes, around tables to celebrate a meal of freedom. Instead, many stayed home, alone, for the first time. Others, pressed froward with virtual cedars. Others forged yet new and different traditions informed by requirements for social distancing and staying in place. All of this is carving into and adding to a holiday with centuries of shaping. It is another moment in history that adds to the layers of words spoken and shared in the Seder meal.
The traditional words of the meal are haunting and appropriate in this time of global isolation.
In this moment, we all have some connection to the yearning for freedom.
And so, these ancient words speak freshly into our time and into this moment we are living through.
I decided to read them and mediate and allow the words to speak to me.
Before I even pulled out a copy, the first section of the Seder that rang out in my heart was the end. The meal usually ends with a hope that next year, it will be celebrated in Jerusalem.
The longing for next year and what we will do next year is so clear and strong when you can't do what you wanted to do this year.
Next year we'll celebrate holiday's together.
Next year we'll have birthday parties, weddings, baby showers and graduations.
Next year we'll go on vacation.
Next year. An earnest hope for next year.
And with this longing in my heart, I download and open a copy of a haggadah.
The meal begins with two really important practices -- gratitude and sabbath. I have never leaned so hard on these practices as a spiritual centering than I have in this season. Resting, reflecting, remembering blessing, working, living and again finding sabbath to rest and reflect on blessing is a cycle that has given me perseverance and strength. Even in moments where I am not focused on faith, I feel faith envelop me in the cycle of living that these practices have created in my life over the past several weeks.
Next -- washing hands. 'Nough Said.
I'm really starting to appreciate the Jewish traditions around cleanliness and when you think of ancient times, there were few other defenses against diseases. I've never understood the love and respect and compassion offered in this ritual until now. It is a an of care to the community as all of our efforts to remain socially distant.
The Passover story
The telling and re-telling of our stories. The gathering. The sharing. Especially with the littlest among us, realizing that for some of them, it is the first time a story is heard. We are empowered by telling our stories, by hearing our stories and remembering our histories. And in the most important stories, there is a place for everyone. There is room for us all to participate in the telling.
And sometimes familiar stories show us new things, like light reflecting off in just the right way allows us to see something new that has always been there.
It would be enough...
As part of the Passover story there is a recounting of the plagues that struck Egypt and the blessings God gave the Israelite. I can imagine the Dayenu of next year -- it was enough that the death rate from Corona virus was so low, it was enough that our hospitals had supplies to save lives, it was enough that we flattened the curve, it was enough that we developed a vaccine, it was enough that we had enough groceries to get through this, it was enough. The magnitude of what could have been compared to what was. We look at the projections of cases and deaths and thankfully are undershooting those. We look at the disruptions in supply chains around the world, and its amazing that they are able to respond to such a monumental shift in needs and purchasing behavior. We look at scientists and biotechs and its amazing how quickly they are developing treatments and vaccines. We look at the world and it's amazing that so many are agreeing to selflessly shelter at home to fight this invisible enemy. It would be enough but God's hands are at work in the many of us.... and when I step back to see that, I can think of no better word for is than -- Dayenu.
Symbols in the meal
I am struck most by the unleavened bread.
I remember hearing about the "shelter in place" order mid-day on Monday to go into effect that night at 12am. At that moment, there wasn't anything about groceries or essential businesses. As I prepared for an indefinite amount of time in my home with limited or no ability to get supplies. I felt the haste that must have been in the hearts of the Isrealites that first Passover. Your life is changing. You have no time to prepare. Don't make bread with leaven -- skip that rising part. You have many other things to attend to right now.
I was at work, helping to prepare employees and organize work for the time ahead. When I heard the order, I thought about my kids, homeschooling, food, supplies. I had no idea what we had and what we didn't. I thought about what I could order online and what I couldn't. What did I actually need? There wasn't time to think about bread rising.
The meal continues with handwashing, remembering, gratitude and ritual.
I think of my great-grandmother. My dad shared stories that she always made toast and spread jelly so thin that it was barely visible. Then, on the very last bite, a huge lump. She told him once that the depression made her stretch things and make them last but now, we were past the depression and there was enough to make life sweet. Her toast was a ritual of gratitude.
This time grants us opportunity to remember and to develop rituals of gratitude. Maybe in handwashing. Maybe in grocery shopping. Maybe in our words that we share with "essential workers." Passover is a meal that brings a people back to a time and incites gratitude for freedom -- even in time, like today -- that aren't fully free. God is present in the liturgy -- teaching us the rhythm of faith and spirituality. Tools like Sabbath and gratitude, ritual and remembrance, storytelling, eating and sharing.
Our own stories and faith from these times can be captured in new traditions and rituals that remind us to be grateful, connected, and present. We can pass these things onto our children so that in times ahead, if there are rough waters, they can find God, faith and spiritual strength hidden in family traditions that we've given them.
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