The central meaning of Passover is liberation, hence the name z’man heirutainu, the season of liberation. Another name for Passover is hag ha’aviv, the holiday of spring. This is not by chance but by design. The holiday of liberation is the holiday of spring. After the dark and dreary winter in a land covered with snow the earth bursts forth with vegetation, new life. So too, the Israelites burst forth from oppression and slavery to a new life of freedom. Without the Exodus the Isrealites as a people would have become extinct. The watchwords of both spring and Passover are rebirth and hope. As we watch the world awaken to new life we recount the story of the rebirth of the Jewish People. Passover reminds us that no matter how dire our situation, we must not lose hope. Passover tells us that renewal and rebirth are as intrinsic to human beings as it is to nature.

Have a ziessen Pesach a sweet Passover

Passover is approaching; our most widely celebrated holiday. This week I will discuss an interesting conundrum facing Jews on Passover. There is always a debate as to what to eat. Jews discuss their diets all the time; why should Passover be any different? (Ma Nishtana etc.) On Passover one is not to eat chametz. As defined by the Rabbis chametz are those grains which matzvah can be baked: wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt. NO other food stuffs was regarded as chametz. The Ashkenazim, that is those Jews from Europe, expanded the prohibited foods.

The expansion found its roots in France in the thirteenth century and then spread through Europe. There is no explanation at the time for the expansion of the prohibited foods. I was taught that Ashkenazim do not eat peanut butter, rice, corn and legumes because when they are either soaked or popped they expand, giving the impression of rising. So as not to go against the law we are to take things to a greater level so that the fulfilling of the mitzvote is assured. The Sephardim, Spanish Jews do not in this instance adhere to the terms of the Ashkenazim. Oftentimes in these kinds of situations people eat what they are used to. There is no absolute in this instance, eat what you like just don’t have the obvious chametz, bread, pasta, pizza and the like. What is most important is that I wish you all a ziessen pesach, a sweet Passover.

This week’s Torah is a double portion Vayakhel/P’kudei. In Vayakhel the Israelites continue to build the Tabernacle. God gives detailed instructions on how to build, what materials to use and the personnel needed for the Tabernacle. What is very interesting is that this portion follows the incident of the Golden Calf. In that portion the Israelites and God came to an understanding. The Israelites disobey God’s laws yet God forgives them and still says that the Israelites are God’s people and that they will bring Torah to the world. This is of great comfort to the Israelites because now God is viewed as a parent. As we know in life a parent, is always your parent no matter what transpires. Parents may not be happy with the choices a child makes but that does not change their love for their child. That is exactly what happens with God. The Israelites continue to build the Tabernacle, God’s dwelling place because they are confident in the relationship with God. They know even if they falter God will be with them just like a loving parent.

In this week’s Torah portion Ki Tisa Moses comes down from Mt Sinai with the tablets of the law and sees the Israelites dancing around the Golden Calf. He of course is furious, admonishes the Israelites and then goes back up the mountain. When he returns, he comes back with more rules for the Israelites to follow. The Israelites are given an opportunity to reaffirm the covenant with God. God provides Moses with laws that will help them keep their conduct acceptable to God. This is the example that the Jewish people have set for the world. Through the rule of law the Jewish people were able to reaffirm their relationship with God and lead a more sacred life.