Passover concluded last night. Eight days of celebrating “Jewish Nationhood” with family and friends themed on where the Jewish nation originated and the Divine and deliberate nature of our journey ever since.
This Pesach was different however. With Israel at war, hunkering down in shelters for large periods of time at unearthly hours, sifting through the pain and challenge to extract the light and the miracles —provided an added challenge.
Yet that’s precisely what the essence and energy of Passover is all about. Freedom is earned. Light is extracted. Faith is nurtured. Trust is fostered and Hope serving as the eternal foundational belief sustaining us is imbued in our soul.
Yet on the concluding day of Pesach we add one more ingredient to the basket of our existence — the belief in a Messianic era. No war, no jealousy — peace and tranquility the norm —with our pursuits focusing on a higher level of living. The rat race in the rear view mirror and maximum appreciation and discernment of a higher, transcendent power, all the focus. What a glorious ending to Pesach!
What’s the secret of Jewish endurance and survival?
Whilst it may take volumes of books to wade through all the theories and ruminations that have been suggested — just experiencing one Passover and living it year round, answers it in the most unequivocal way with all arrows pointing undoubtedly to a bright and vibrant future — Am Yisrael Chai!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,