Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner's 2022 Passover Message

“God freed us from Mitzrayim by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm and awesome power, and by signs and portents,” Deuteronomy 26:8

In a few nights time we will participate in an ages-long ritual, the Passover Seder, recalling that momentous experience that transformed the course of our sacred history. Our redemption from Mitzrayim, the place of constriction, by the Divine Source of Life, and brought us out into the expanse, to enter into covenantal partnership at Sinai, and gifting us the Holy Torah.

Casting off the shackles of anything that enslaves one and moving toward a new future of freedom is not an easy endeavor, in fact it can be extremely daunting. Those signs and wonders experienced by the Israelites had to have been terrifying.

Doubts, insecurities and fear always comes with uncertainty.

With each step forward it took courage, trust, faith, perseverance, hope and a great deal of encouragement for them to make it to Mt. Sinai. (It will take the next generation, those born into freedom, to ultimately succeed in crossing over into the Promised Land).

These past two years living under the burden of COVID-19, we too have been challenged in unprecedented ways. With disruption on the scale of a world-wide pandemic we can all empathize with the fear and uncertainty that the comes at such times. Many continue to wonder if things are safe enough for life to return to normal. And really, what does normal mean anymore?

Our tradition teaches us that it is through Hope that we are able to “keep moving forward.” L’Shanah Ha’Ba’ah B’Yerushalayim! Next year in Jerusalem! The belief that tomorrow will be better and that redemption is possible all the time is what has held our people together through the darkest of times.

This year as we sit at our Seder tables, we should talk about fortitude and courage in moments of trauma for it is in the telling that we find strength and the stories help us grow. What stories of perseverance or hope will you share?

May this Pesach lead us all to a place of healing, health, wholeness and love.

Chag Sameach!

Alexandria Shuval-Weiner is senior rabbi at Temple Beth Tikvah and president of Atlanta Rabbinical Association.