At the seder, we celebrate a tension. On the one hand, we are meant to imagine ourselves as if we ourselves were slaves in Egypt. We sing solemnly avadim hayinu, we were slaves. We dip vegetables in salt water representing our tears.
And on the other hand, we celebrate. We sing with joy, ata benei chorin, we are now free. We drink wine, we eat a celebratory meal.
Our seder begins with genut, with degradation, with oppression, and we transition to great joy.How are we meant to feel as the seder ends? What is the goal of the conclusion of Pesach?
This Shabbat morning coincides with the eighth day of Pesach. And on this day, we recite a haftarah from Isaiah chapter 10. This is a haftarah comprised of a series of promises related to our national redemption - of a day of peace, victory, and fulfilment. Dr. Michael Fishbane identifies that we recite this on the last day of Pesach to conclude the festival of freedom with hopes of a great redemption to come. What is interesting to note is that this haftarah by many in Israel and abroad is also recited on Yom Ha'atzmaut - Israel's Independence Day. As we are in synagogue on Shabbat, concluding our holiday about freedom from slavery, we are meant to think forward to Yom Ha'atzmaut - a day of celebrating Israel, and in particular an Israel where
gar ze'ev im keves - the wolf and the lamb dwell together (Isaiah 11:6).We at Anshe Emet are celebrating Yom Ha'atzmaut and Israel in meaningful ways. On the Shabbat of April 17-18, we will have the honor of hosting Dr. Arnie Eisen, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary with us at Anshe Emet. There will be a shabbat dinner along with a dialogue between Rabbi Siegel and Dr. Eisen, "Land of Israel: Land of Longing, Land of Promise." He will also speak on Shabbat morning about the place of Conservative Judaism today. These two opportunities are not to be missed.
On the eve of Yom Ha'atzmaut itself, Wednesday April 26, we are hosting a community celebration with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, followed by Israeli music, dancing, food, and more. I hope that you'll join us.
As we end Pesach and look to Yom Ha'atzmaut, may we celebrate an Israel and a world filled with, as the haftara says, redemption and peace.
Chag sameach,
Rabbi David Russo
