The bells of “change” are ringing throughout our nation. We need only listen to quotes from the leading presidential candidates for confirmation of this phenomenon.
“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
“The challenges of change are always hard. It is important that we begin to unpack those challenges.”
“It’s time for change, but real change.”
So what exactly is it about the discussion of “change” that seems to inspire great masses and motivate people?
Beginning on Saturday, Jews all over the world will be celebrating Passover. This Passover will mark 3,320 years since the liberation of the Hebrews from our bondage in Egypt. The essence of this holiday is a celebration of freedom-a celebration of change.
At first glance it seems kind of strange to be celebrating this event more than 3,000 years after it occurred, especially since the trials of freedom versus bondage and change versus status quo have been an ongoing struggle ever since. Yet this story happens to be the one that is highlighted in the Ten Commandments, and is arguably the most important event in Biblical history.
The Kabbalah and the teachings of Chassidus (the esoteric teachings of the Torah) tell us that the story of Egypt, like all other Biblical accounts, reaches far deeper than what first meets the eye. The Hebrew word for Egypt, Mitzrayim, is rooted in the word meitzar, which means boundaries, limits or restrictions. “Egypt” in this context represents all forms of constraints and confinements: psychological, emotional and spiritual. Any trap, any enemy from within or without that inhibits our free expression, is a form of Mitzrayim.
Life is a living organism. And like all living organisms, the natural state of life should translate into growth. So where do we so often go wrong? The Creator endowed us with the power of choice, and in order for there to be choice there must be the option of inaction. When we are enslaved to that static character inside us-when we are content with our current spiritual being and do not desire to “change”-then we are in Mitzrayim.
This is what Passover is all about.
Every year on Passover, a new light enters the world, the light and power of freedom and transcendence-the power of change. How do we access this energy? How do we draw on this power that frees us to transcend and illuminate our personal exile?
The Passover Seder is the answer. One of the most important objectives of the Seder (other than eating some crunchy Matzah and a delicious meal) is to connect us to our inner child. It is for this reason there is so much emphasis on children during the Seder.
Children are the true exemplars of change. A child will easily rebound from a negative experience and give possibilities another chance. Because a child has not been burdened by the harsh responsibilities and emotional entanglements of adulthood, he or she is not a slave to the Mitzrayim mentality. So too our inner child, the innocent voice deep within, can never be negatively affected by the coarseness of the physical world.
The quest and fascination for change is our inner child speaking up, and Passover is the time when we remind ourselves of our ability to make real change in our lives. And when we take these steps, we can be confident that our leaders will follow!
The 15 steps of the Seder help connect us to the unblemished innocence that’s at the core of every person. For a more detailed description of these steps, please visit www.JewishMalibu.com.
Chabad of Malibu will be hosting Passover Seder dinners for the public. For more information, visit us on the web at www.JewishMalibu.com or call Chabad at 310.456.6588.