Passover: The Power of Personal Freedom

The evening of March 30 begins the Jewish holiday of Passover, commemorating the Israelite Exodus from Egyptian Slavery 3,330 years ago. It is also referred to as the “Time of Our Liberation.”
The holiday will be observed by the Jewish community, with friends and families gathering together for the traditional Seder dinners, the main components of which are first mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Exodus. Most well known is the refraining from eating leavened bread and instead, only eating matzah, a simple cracker made of just flour and water, reminiscent of the simple bread our ancestors ate as they fled Egypt.
But today, we are blessed to live in a free and open society, in the most benevolent country to have ever existed. We have never been trapped in Egypt, nor have we experienced actual slavery. So other than continuing tradition, does this holiday have any real relevance to us in 2018?
It does and it is profound.
Although the slavery and Exodus took place many millennia ago, in a distant land and foreign culture, its meaning is as pertinent today as it ever was.
Every person encounters boundaries and limitations they do not wish to face. Whether it be financial stress, strained relationships, or personal insecurities not allowing us to reach our full potential. Far too often we feel trapped and despondent. But the Passover Exodus teaches us there is always a way out.
Obviously, if we have wronged someone and that is the cause of our anxiety, we must personally seek that person and make amends. But more often than not, when we feel trapped, a little soul searching will have us realize that we are the builders of our own barriers. And when that is so, it is up to us alone to liberate ourselves of our limitations and self-imposed boundaries.
Perhaps we are too wrapped with ourselves and with our own feelings and aspirations. The solution then is that we must stop being concerned with just ourselves. By looking outwards, rather than just inwards we can get away from ourselves and think of others. We should play a more active role in society; we should give and give generously. The opportunities are many and the need is great. And in South Dakota, we have so many options to choose from, whether it be social work, charitable or scientific.
What’s more, once we have managed to free ourselves, we will become bastions of hope and be empowered to liberate others as well, with a ripple effect on the entire world.
This universal message of Passover reverberates today more than ever. We are blessed to live in a country and era of unprecedented freedoms and educational success, yet so many feel a lack of direction and purpose. Far too many people, especially young people, feel trapped.
Recognizing these challenges, the great Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, taught that education, in general, should not be limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, rather the educational system must pay more attention, indeed the main attention, to the building of character, with emphasis on moral and ethical values. To live life with the awareness that the creator made us, so every positive action can have a profound impact on our universe.
On March 27, millions of Americans, once again, marked Education & Sharing Day, USA. This day was established by the United States Congress in 1978 and signed by the president each year on the Rebbe’s birth date, in tribute to his commitment to teaching the next generation of Americans the values that make our country strong.
This day serves as a call to all of us to pause and recognize our responsibility in ensuring that our young people have the foundation necessary to lead lives rich in purpose and fulfilment. I am proud that Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a proclamation designating March 27 as Education and Sharing Day, South Dakota.
As we celebrate Passover this year, I wish our elected leaders and all my fellow citizens in South Dakota, merit the true meaning and celebration of “a time of freedom” – free from all worries, concerns and personal limitations.