American Jewish Life

Title

Is This Passover Really Different

Description

Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

Is this Passover Really Different?

This Passover, Jews around the world are asking the question, "Why is
this Passover different from all others?". Some humorously reply, "Don't
ask." In Israel, there are advertisements that respond less whimsically,
instructing, "This year we all stay home."

This year, instead of gathering with our loving grandparents, we are
told to love them "from a safe distance."

This year, instead of celebrating with all friends and family, we are
told to stay within our own households.

This year, instead of getting out and having fun over the middle days of
the holiday, we are told to skip the leisure trips and leave off
visiting parks.

The "Stay Home - Stay Alive" rule will be practiced by Jewish people in
the U.S. and around the world, as the global pandemic continues to
threaten our health and our lives.

But is this night really different?

If we look back at the very first Passover, this description may sound
very similar.

On that fateful night, the 15th of Nissan, 3332 years ago, our people
were instructed to remain in their homes in isolation for their safety.
Outside, there was a raging plague killing people.

And that is how the tradition of Passover began. G-d passed-over the
Jewish homes during the 10th and final plaque, punishing the Egyptians
for decades of enslaving, torturing and killing the Jews.

Passover is called the Festival of our Freedom, but in reality, it is
the ultimate celebration of faith. It is the story of how our people
remained optimistic when the future seemed hopeless and trusted in G-d
even when they felt He had forsaken them.

And though G-d has not spared the Jews from this COVID-19, nor has He
told us why humanity is being assaulted with these devastating blows, He
is the one behind this wheel as He is behind all others.

Our faith brought us salvation during the first Passover in isolation
and we pray that it brings salvation to the world during our upcoming
Passover in isolation.

Date Created

April 1, 2020

Community

Chabad Tucson

State

Arizona

Place

Tucson

Creator

Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin

This item was submitted on August 11, 2021 by Jewish History Museum in Tucson using the form “Contribute Your Materials” on the site “American Jewish Life”: https://pandemicreligion.org/s/american-jewish-life