Passover Isn’t History

A Jewish man was waiting in line to be knighted by the Queen of England. He was supposed to kneel and recite a sentence in Latin.

His turn comes, he kneels, the queen taps him on the shoulders with the sword … and in the panic of excitement he forgets the Latin line. Thinking quickly, he recites the only other line he knows in a foreign language, one he remembers from the Passover Seder:

“Mah nishtana ha-lailah ha-zeh mi-kol ha-leilot.” The puzzled Queen turns to her adviser and asks, “Why is this knight different from all other knights?”

***

Joey is a non-practicing Jew who is unfamiliar with Jewish customs. He is present at the Seder thanks to the phone call he received from his Jewish boss inviting him to participate.

Not knowing what he is celebrating, he waits for an opportunity to question his host. He doesn’t have to wait long, for little Josh soon stands up to ask the four questions: “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

Daddy takes over with the traditional response: “We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt …”

Joey the newcomer interjects, “I don’t recall ever being a slave in Egypt!”

Daddy: “We’re talking about our ancestors who were enslaved three thousand years ago.”

Joey is confused. “So we are sitting around with crackers and wine celebrating something that occurred to some nomads before the Common Era?”

Grandpa chips in: “You’re right, Joey. That can’t be all there is to the holiday. Rather, tonight we sit here, not just to commemorate a miracle in ancient history, but to relive history.

“On Passover 1312 BCE the Jews left slavery and the cruel oppression of a dictator. When we sit tonight retelling the story, we are, in essence, beginning our own journey towards freedom.”

Joey: “I’m sorry; I don’t get your drift. After all, we live in a free society where we are free to practice and act as we wish. Where do you see slavery in all of this?”

Grandpa: “Tell me Joey: are you proud to be a Jew?”

Joey: “Of course.”

Grandpa: “It what way do you express it?”

Joey: “Nothing really; I mean, practicing Judaism is quite a pain and is old-fashioned besides.”

Grandpa: “Hmmm… did you notice what you just said? Your reasons for neglecting the Mitzvos are external – it’s uncomfortable, it’s not popular or modern. But what of your true self – who are you?”

Joey: “I’m a Jew, obviously.”

Grandpa: “Think for a moment about what you really want – not your ego, your friends, or the media, but you…”

Joey: “Ah, I get your point! I am a slave to my own self-built limitations, as well as to what society says.”

Grandpa: “And that’s the timely message of Passover. Free yourself. Break the chains. Cry out. As President Reagan so passionately cried facing the Berlin Wall, ‘Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’”

This year we are slaves; next year, free men.