Passover: A holiday of symbols

Since our birth as a distinct people over three millennia ago, we have been commanded to retell the story of Passover to our children, not only in light of the historical events which occurred in antiquity, but also in relation to the realities in which we live today. As we sit down for the Seder with our families, I offer you these interpretations of the Passover symbols; 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. The Five Towns Community can testify to the old saying, “March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb.” And just as hurricanes with the damage they cause, ultimately pass, so too the storms and hardships that come into our lives pass. With faith in God and ourselves, never losing hope, we too can weather the storms that come into everyone’s lives 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, divided against itself. To this end, Temple Israel of Lawrence and the Five Towns community welcomed 21 Jewish students from the Orthodox Yeshiva High School in Rome.

During their week stay, they were hosted in the homes of high school students from Temple Israel; and on Shabbat, they were hosted by Orthodox families from the high schools of the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach. And so, on a local and international basis, we made the statement that we are one people of one faith and one fate responsible one for the other.