Interpreting the symbols, erasing the hate

For thousands of years, parents and grandparents have fulfilled the divinely ordained commandment to gather around the Seder table and tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt to their children and grandchildren. And so, to help us fulfill this age-old mitzvah in the spirit of extended family, I share with you these interpretations of the Passover symbols at the Seder table, from my home to yours.

The Karpas, parsley, which is a symbol of spring, reminds us that just as seasons change for the better, so can life. Just as the storms of winter ultimately pass, so too will the storms and hardships that came into our lives this past year of the Covid-19 virus. With faith in God and ourselves, never losing hope, we too can weather the turbulence that comes into everyone’s life and emerge to a new day of renewed love, happiness and peace.

The Hillel sandwich which is a combination of the sweet Charoset and bitter Maror reminds us that we have the strength to overcome the bitter and difficult times in our lives and that we should enjoy the sweet moments in life while we have them.

The Afikoman, which is the broken half of the matzoh, reminds us of our need to work for Jewish unity; that we should not be a people broken, or divided against itself. It is as important today as ever to take the message of the Afikoman to heart recognizing that we are, indeed, one people of one faith and one fate responsible one for the other.

The Shank Bone symbolizes the Holocaust, for what else can a piece of burnt flesh be? It reminds us of the terrible consequences of hatred and prejudice and the need to judge each other less and love each other more.

The Egg is at the very heart of the Seder for it represents our children. It is their need to learn, to understand, to remember and to celebrate, which is the focus of the Seder. From the days of Abraham, we were taught that we do not sacrifice our children, but rather sacrifice for our children. Our children and grandchildren are the future of the Jewish people, the future of the world, our immortality and sacred trust.

And my dear friends, as we make ready to meet our holiday of liberation and celebrate the Exodus from Egypt, tragically, our nation is not liberated, but rather enslaved by the deadly viruses of systemic racism, anti-Semitism and violent attacks, on a daily basis, against Asian Americans.

Therefore, together as members of the diverse communities that is the tapestry of America, let us stand together in unity and make the statement: “While we are people of different faiths, ethnicities, races and backgrounds, we share the same fate.” 

Therefore, let us march forward together to erase the hate and replace it as the story of Passover commands, with love, respect, appreciation and solidarity, one for the other. Then indeed this will be a “Sweet Passover” leading us on the road to freedom.

Rabbi Rosenbaum leads Temple Israel of Lawrence.