Daniel Lubetzky

My sister had a really interesting observation on the modern forms of bondage that we experience, relating to the spiritual aspects of Passover…

I wanted to share with you a perspective that I have been pondering upon regarding passover, which has to do with Spiritual aspects of this celebration, and which go beyond traditional interpretations.

Hammetzis the part of the bread that lifts up: the leaven, and as such, it is similar to our egos.

In Pessah, we attempt to let go of our ego, and remember all those who are less fortunate than we are; those who have not acquired freedom, and those who are suffering enslaved by different aspects of their being, whether it be physically or emotionally.

It is different forms of bondage that we are currently experiencing: bondage to our jobs, to our material goods, bondage to our co-dependent relationships, bondage to our addictions of all kinds, bondage to our emotions of depression, of helplessness, of anger, bondage to our entitlement, to our arrogance.

This is the time of the year when we are supposed to become humble and remember that we once lived in bondage, but now are free. This is the time for moving towards more freedom in whatever areas of our life we feel we need it the most.

This is the time of the year when we are supposed to remember the fact that even though we were once slaves, we do not have the right to enslave others, but moreover, we ourselves do not have to keep on feeling this way. We have been given the freedom to think and act not as victims, but as strong, evolved, spiritual individuals creating on a daily basis that which brings good to ourselves and to others. We have been given free will, and we should use it to bring forth harmony.

This is a beautiful meaning of Pessah. By moving our ego out of the way, we can be the best people. By doing the ‘tekes,’ the ritual, of not eating Hamets during a week, we have a constant reminder of removing the ego.