A Passover Message from Rabbi Michael Bernstein

During the Passover Seder many have the tradition to rise from the table and open the door for the prophet Elijah to come, perhaps even to join us and drink a little wine from the cup with his name on it. In some houses the cup sits still, in others it is filled by the participants, and in others there might even be a little misdirection so that suddenly some wine disappears from the cup! Still, even though this moment has become one of the most recognized parts of the Passover celebration, it is a ritual that has actually been transformed over the centuries.

This year’s celebration, we do not take for granted the blessing of being able to open our door in hope and not fear. The question of our safety has come to the fore as we find ourselves with whiplash responding to barrages of antisemitism coming from every direction. At the same time, we realize how much it means to us to feel supported and seen by our neighbors. We hold fast to our traditions and our identity and we know that a core message of our faith is to remember we were once strangers in Egypt.

When we open the door for Elijah at our Seder we encounter the echoes across multiple Jewish existences. We hearken to the blood on the first doorpost as well as the blood spilled in our darkest times. We celebrate life in America side by side with our neighbors. And we look past our doorway with anticipation that we might catch a glimpse of Elijah the Prophet, the one that will usher in an age of true peace and freedom throughout the world.

Get The AJT Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

May this season be full of joy and meaning and bring with it the blessings of an open door.

Rabbi Michael Bernstein is the Rabbi of Congregation Gesher L’ Torah.