Another perspective on Pesach

The cycle of the year is upon us and we are made conscious of another great passage of time with the arrival of Pesach.  Matzah, four cups, family, seder, song- it all comes back.

Surveys have revealed that Pastor, aside from the high holidays, is the most universally excepted Jewish holiday. Otherwise unconcerned Jews take part in the seder. Of all three festivals during the course of the year, Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot, this is the most widely known and practiced.

There is something most compelling about the festival of freedom. Not many Jews would readily admit to liking Pesach for its peculiar culinary delights.  We make do.  For many, the festival wreaks havoc on the stomach. It’s pretty difficult to enjoy the tasty delight with Marc the other holidays. Fried matzah is exciting only for so long.

If it’s not food then it must be something else. On Pesach, the book of Song of Songs is read.  Song of Songs speaks of unrestrained love; One man’s passion for a woman is depicted in wonderful and revealing words reminiscent of a Shakespearean sonnet.  And true to form the book also tells of a woman’s deep and abiding love. Song of songs tales of a love passion that we all experience during our lives.  The sentiment and words resonate.

 

That love is emphasized and accentuated on Pesach for it mimics the same unqualified love that exists between God and Israel. It is the love that causes a man to fiercely defend the one he loves, the bond which makes the Almighty become a “Man of War” for His people and it is the law for one's own family and extended personal relations.

The rabbis wisely assigned various rules in the Passover Seder to different family members. The four questions are asked by the youngest, a leader is appointed, all search for the Afikomen, and each participant reads different segments from the Haggadda.  The narrative is pointedly arranged to involve everyone.

 

The underlying idea during the holidays is for the family to reunite. Oll the bonds are renewed, recent events recounted, moldy jokes resurface and are retold. The seder particularly is the time of great love. That is why it is such a widely embraced holiday. Deep emotions surface during the festival. The seder and the following days give us the opportunity to express our deepest, most profound love.

 

Pesach comes at the end of winter.  The dark days of cold come to an end and spring rapidly approaches. Emotions run high as the first buds make their appearance and crocuses pop their heads out of the ground. It is appropriate that the Song of Songs be sung at this time. It is a good opportunity to let that old spark be rekindled and say again, “I love you.”