I’ve always held warm memories of my childhood Passover Seders. My family would drive to New York before the holiday, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at a big table. My Bubby’s homemade matzah balls, lots of singing and laughter, and that sense of renewal and possibility that comes with spring…
As I got older, the Seders began to take on a deeper meaning. My cousins, Davi and Ahuva, began sharing some interesting parts of the Passover story with my brother and me; parts we hadn’t known about. “Hey guys, did you know that it was so dark during the ninth plague, that you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face?!” This would prompt us to ask questions, and soon our section of the table would be engaged in a lively discussion.
In this week’s Parsha, we are commanded to remember the Exodus from Egypt, by telling the story of how we were enslaved and liberated. One of the ways in which we fulfill this is through the Passover Seder.
“Then Hashem said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh…in order that I may display…My signs…recount in the hearing of your child and of your child’s child how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am Hashem”.
-Parshas Bo, Exodus 10:1-13:16
The Seder is designed in a way to encourage everyone at the table to ask questions. As Eitiel Goldwicht points out, “this way of conducting the Seder is not just a cutting-edge didactical approach that stood the test of time, rather it is a fundamental principle as to what freedom is all about.”
Freedom means being able to ask questions; to learn through asking, challenging, debating, clarifying, etc. Slaves aren’t allowed to ask questions – they just have to do as they’re told. The Seder, therefore, is not just about telling us that we’re free; it’s about experiencing freedom – through the ability to ask questions.
Jewish education – from the youngest age and throughout life – is built on asking questions, and having discussions. Questions lead to learning, and learning leads to growth.
The Seder, as a symbol of our liberty, reminds us that we are free to ask questions – both on Seder night, and every night (and day) of our lives.
Keep asking, and keep growing!
Shabbat Shalom,
Danielle
