Rabbi Larry Sernovitz's Message for Passover 2026

In the book, “I Searched for Wonder,” a spiritual anthology of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel edited by Rabbi Samuel H. Dresner, I have always been inspired by the following passage:

“What message do you have for young people?” asked Carl Stern of NBC in concluding a television interview with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel shortly before his death.

Rabbi Heschel replied, “…Let them remember that there is a meaning beyond absurdity. Let them be sure that every deed counts, that every word has power, and that we all can do our share to redeem the world in spite of all absurdities and all frustrations and all disappointments. And, above all, [let them] remember…to build a life as if it were a work of art.”

Passover is about asking questions about the world, struggling with the truth, and making meaning out of it all. During the seder, we don’t ask four questions, we ask one: Why is this night different than all other nights? The rest are statements that ask for us to respond.

What does it mean to be a Jew in the world today? It is to ﬁnd meaning beyond absurdity. It is to know our lives matter, our words matter, our deeds matter, and that we all have the ability to build a life as if it were a work of art, ﬂawed as it may be. Perfection is not the goal. Authenticity is. This Passover, may we be authentically proud Jews, and be ever diligent in creating a work of art that we can be proud of.

Chag Pesach Sameach!