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Opinion: Passover’s message overs an antidote to stress and disillusion [1]
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Date: 2025-04-09
By Rabbi Levi Greenberg
According to many surveys, Americans are increasingly experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and disillusionment. I believe the essential message of Passover best informs how we can navigate such challenges.
Rabbi Levi Greenberg
On the evenings of Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, Jews in El Paso and around the world will gather for the longest-running annual ritual dinner in history, known as the Passover Seder. In Israel, the Seder is observed only once, on Saturday, April 12.
In keeping with the Talmudic dictum, “In every generation one must view themselves as if they left Egypt,” the Seder is staged as a reenactment of the Israelite exodus from Egyptian slavery 3,337 years ago.
We eat unleavened bread called matzah because the Israelites left their captivity so quickly they could not wait long enough for their dough to rise; the bitter herbs drive home the contrast between the oppressive persecution and the subsequent redemption; and the retelling of the story as a response to children’s questions sets the stage for the intergenerational transmission of values and traditions.
But the purpose of this twice-a-year dinner is less to remind us of the past than to inspire a shift in our attitude today.
In 1986, four days before Passover, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, celebrated his 84th birthday and started a tradition which continued through the winter of 1992. Every Sunday, he stood outside his office greeting thousands who came to receive his blessing by handing each one a dollar bill to be given to charity.
I recently watched a short video clip where a fellow, recently released from prison, came to see the Rebbe around Passover time to express appreciation for a Chabad rabbi visiting with him and guiding him in his spiritual growth during his incarceration.
“May G-d Al-mighty help that you will soon forget about this past,” the Rebbe said.
“I don’t forget,” the man replied.
With a smile, the Rebbe responded that Passover is the season of freedom.”If the Jews had forgotten about Egypt, it is time for you to forget about your prison. Even if it is difficult, try your best.”
Releasing slaves from slavery is not enough to make them truly free, and one who serves out a prison sentence may still be incarcerated long after they’ve left the prison gates.
In the story of Exodus, Egypt represents not only a geographical location at the northeastern tip of Africa. The Hebrew name for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which means constraints and limitations. The Israelite redemption over three millennia ago empowers us to release ourselves from all internal and external pressures and inhibitions that stop us from realizing our true potential.
While we remember where we come from, we must never allow the darkness of the past to cast shadows on our future. Instead, by wholeheartedly embracing today’s freedom and defining ourselves by the opportunities it provides, we create a brighter future for ourselves and the entire world.
With this awareness, we can live each day free of debilitating stress and face every challenge with inspiration and altruism. As the 12th-century sage Maimonides declared, “We must all view ourselves and the world as an equally balanced scale of good and bad. One single good deed that one individual does can tip the scales for the entire world to usher in an era of eternal peace and tranquility.”
This is the freedom Passover provides. It’s not easy, but we must try our best.
Passover begins April 12 at sunset and concludes April 20. Learn more about Passover at chabadelpaso.com/passover.
Levi Greenberg is associate rabbi at Chabad Lubavitch of El Paso.
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