From the Rabbi - April 1999

Dear Friends,

Whenever I go on a trip there is a ritual that I inevitably go through that involves staying up late to catch an early flight and worrying about what clothes and supplies I need to bring. I always start packing late at night - when I have the least amount of patience and ability to concentrate. I agonize over how many pairs of shoes, how many shirts, pants, ties, suits I will need. Should I take a book? My laptop computer? What usually ends up happening is that I pack twice as much as I need and schlep a huge suitcase onto the plane.

In Chapter 12 of the book of Exodus, we read of the preparations that the Israelites undertook before they left the land of Egypt. They too, were packing at the last minute. They had to leave in a hurry. There must have been a huge commotion in every Israelite household as they had to choose what they would take and what they would leave behind from their lives as slaves.

When I was growing up and now, in our home, preparing for Pesach is a lot like getting ready for a journey. We need to rid our home of Chametz - of leavened products. We need to buy enough matzah, matzah meal, eggs, horseradish, gefilte fish and other holiday foods to last us through the week. It’s also somewhat chaotic. I am always envious of those people whose Pesach preparation seems to begin at the end of Purim. You know the type - their freezers are full of neatly stacked rows of sponge cakes and matzah balls, chicken soup and fruit compote. Their cupboards are full of macaroons and matzah, fruit jells and kosher l’pesach marshmallows. Their silver is polished and the Haggadot are crumb-free

Each year we make a resolution that we will be more organized -more prepared for Pesach - but, invariably, there are always emergency trips to the store and new guests squeezed in at the Seder table at the last minute. My guess is that the same tumult exists in the most organized households as well (at least I hope so...) - chaos is a necessary part of the celebration.

One of the central Mitzvot in the celebration of Pesach is for each of us to experience the Seder as though we were personally participating in the Exodus from Egypt. The symbols on the Seder plate and all of the rituals are designed so that we might feel what our ancestors felt as they moved from slavery to freedom.

This year, as you prepare your homes for Pesach, try to imagine that you are getting ready to go on a trip. What will you take with you? What will you leave behind? What images from previous Passovers do you want to treasure and hold on to - what would you like to bring to your table that is new? Maybe in this way we all can see our sacred celebration in a new light.

I want to wish all of you a happy and kosher Pesach. May you have safe trip and return with a renewed sense of understanding and appreciation for our congregation, community and faith.

Chag Sameach!
Rabbi Joseph R. Black

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