Shabbat HaChodesh - March 19, 2009
Shabbat HaChodesh
March 21, 2009
Rabbi Mark Kram,
Preparing for Pesach. Actually I start thinking about it at Purim because Pesach follows just one short month after.
Several Shabbatot prior to Pesach help us ready ourselves for the holiday as well. This Shabbat, Shabbat HaChodesh, is the second to the last Shabbat before the holiday. On this Shabbat, we read two Torah portions: one continues the instructions from God about building the portable sanctuary in the wilderness. The second portion comes from the book of Exodus, Chapter 12:1-20. Part of it says,
14 This day (Pesach) shall be to you one of remembrance: you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord as a memorial; you shall celebrate it as an institution for all time. 15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; on the very first day you shall remove leaven from your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day to the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. (My emphasis)
This holiday is to be celebrated FOREVER. But there are two commands in the verse. The first is a command to celebrate it as a “zikarone” or, a memorial. Rashi interprets this command as celebrating it for 2 generations only. However the second part of the verse expands the command – as if the first was unclear or insufficient. “…you shall celebrate it as an institution for all time.” No question here!
That is a powerful image. For all time! After all, what lasts forever?! This holiday, Pesach, needs to be celebrated as long as the Jews live. Because the message is so important, and its significance so central to our beliefs.
What are we to remember? Forefront in our minds, that we were slaves. We remember how slaves were treated and we should be enraged at any form of prejudice, xenophobia (hating the “other”) or mistreatment of others – particularly those who cannot defend themselves.
Second, we remember that the story solidifies this special relationship between God and the Jewish people by telling us how God had a hand in our freedom.
Keep those two ideas in our minds as we proceed towards Pesach, with its matzah-eating, those family celebrations, the re-telling of our Master story. ONE, remember that within our tradition is the central idea that God is real – regardless of our interpretation of the Exodus. And SECOND, that we more than anyone else because of our personal and direct experience of slavery, and then the sweetness of freedom – should understand that the natural way for all human beings is to live free. Annually we prepare externally for Pesach, and internally through its message.
May your Pesach be one of commitment to those not yet free; of connection to our people; and of connection to God.
Shabbat Shalom!
Mark