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Rabbi David Lau
Rabbi of MODIIN
THE HAGGADA OF PASSOVER
The departure from Egypt to Mount Sinai and receiving the Torah are very significant, as they are the building blocks of the Jewish nation.
We left Egypt equipped with laws and we are now on our way to the land of Israel.
Therefore the Torah asks us to pass on to our sons at the Seder on every Passover, the important message about the past and the Jewish nation.
To only say words may be tedious. To only say words without the feeling of accomplishment, without any visual act, could cause things to be forgotten over the generations.
Two hundred years ago, the first people reached the American continent. we know about the ship called the “Mayflower”, but have no details and no basic facts about it.
In contrast, the people of the nation of Israel tell, that at the time they left Egypt, their food consisted of Matza, which was only flour and water. The Jewish nation knows how to tell that there were hardships in the land of Egypt. They knew that in the land of Egypt they were forced to eat inedible foods and even bitter herbs.
The Jewish people related that when they left Egypt they passed through the Red Sea, a miraculous and wonderful event.
How does the Jewish nation know this?
Because, every year we sit on the eve of Passover, and enjoy a Jewish experience, a night when we prepare special activities for our children.
We ask them questions, they ask us questions.
We tell them the story, with emphasis on the Haggada, the matza, and the bitter herbs.
The activity becomes a whole family experience. When this happens, all family members, remember what happened in the past and once more experience the exodus from Egypt.
In the conclusion that can be drawn from the exodus from Egypt is that we have become a significant nation, nation with purpose and heritage, which can be proud of its past. So the Seder night is the night that we celebrate the Jewish nation's birthday and experiences.
We celebrate in the best way by remembering the past, and hoping for a better future. The evening ends with a song:
"Next year in the renewed Jerusalem".
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