Great moral leaps

I once heard it said, I think it was by Rabbi Irving Greenberg, that the story of Pesach contains within it one of the great moral leaps in human history. We are told that, because we were strangers in Egypt, we are supposed to be kind to the stranger. As commonplace as that may seem, it actually goes against human nature. Most people react to being oppressed by looking for ways to oppress others. Perhaps the most common way in which we see this is in the practice of hazing. One generation is teased or mistreated by those who came before, and so they see it as their right, and even their duty, to pass on that maltreatment to those who follow. Unpleasantness, and even oppression, become a self-perpetuating reality. Cruelty breeds more cruelty, seemingly forever.

Except, ideally, in our case. Our religion tells us that the proper response to being oppressed is not to oppress others, but rather to more keenly feel their oppression when we see it. Every time we see someone else suffering, it is supposed to remind us of our own history of suffering. And, remembering how awful it was to suffer, it’s supposed to drive us to work to end their suffering. That’s why the Passover story must be retold, year after year. The more keenly we remember our own story of slavery, the more sensitive we will be to others. That’s why we’re told, “every person, in every generation, must see him or herself as if he or she personally was freed from Egypt.” It’s not enough to just know about the story. We have to feel it. Because if we don’t feel it, then we can ignore it, and then we can ignore the other people around us who need our help.

There are an endless number of ways in which we can help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. But, one of the most important is hinted at from the very first words of the seder. As we hold up the matza, we say, “This is the bread of our affliction, which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. Let all were hungry come and eat; let all who are in need come and celebrate Passover.” Because we once suffered for want of bread, we should never be indifferent to the hunger of someone else.

Pesach is a time of great feasting. Many of our happiest memories come from wonderful meals shared with family around the seder table. We should be thankful for the delicious and bountiful food we’re lucky enough to have. But, we should all remember how many there are in the world who aren’t so lucky. People who will go hungry even on this night of the greatest feast of the year. And, we should do more than think about them; we should help them.

If we truly want to have a meaningful Pesach, then I’d suggest that we have to begin remembering the central injunction of the night, and helping those who most need our help. Please, before seder begins on the evening of March 29th, help to feed the hungry. Go to www. mazon.org, and make a donation to Mazon, a charity dedicated to ending hunger. Or, go to www.tjfs.org and support Tampa Jewish Family Services, who run a food bank which has been so desperately needed in recent months (they also accept donations of food, of course).

“This year we are all slaves; next year may we be free.” This year we are all hungry, next year may we be well fed. As long as one is a slave, none of us are free. As long as one of us is hungry, none of us can be happy. Let’s put an end to hunger, so we can all enjoy a perfect Pesach meal.

The Rabbinically Speaking column is provided as a public service by the Jewish Press in cooperation with the Tampa Rabbinical Association. Columns are assigned, on a rotating basis by the board.