Passover 2024: more simple readings
from the present and the past
from an American-Israeli mom living in Israel
My 10 year old raised a question about whether it was safe to take an upcoming trip abroad. I felt it was the right time to tell him the lies parents have told their children through the ages:
That I would always keep him safe.
That his parents would never put him in danger.
That we’re always strong and protected.
Even as the words tumbled out of my mouth, all I could think about were the dozens of moms living in Be’eri or Nir Oz or Reim who whispered the same things to their kids, tucked them in, wished them sweet dreams, and then awoke to find that those reassurances couldn’t keep the monsters at bay.
Today, every one of us is a hostage. Present tense.
Yonit S, April 8, 2024
simple words from a hostage’s family members
Noam Peri, daughter of hostage Chaim Peri, 79 years old
“Every person, every Jew, every Israeli deserves their freedom, deserves the right to breathe clean air, see daylight, and sit with their family on Passover.”
source: Ha’Aretz, 2024–04–11
Osnat Peri, wife of hostage Chaim Peri, 79 years old
“Let us celebrate the holiday of freedom with freedom … Bring them back, the living, the dead, our loved ones, so that when we read the story of the Haggadah, we may believe that there is another possibility for freedom.”
source: Ha’Aretz, 2024–04–11
simple words from Members of Congress
Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY)
American hostages in Gaza are “fighting to hang on to the hope is that their government is doing everything it can to bring them home… As Americans, we cannot remain silent as our fellow citizens are held captive… We must do everything in our power to secure their release… We can’t forget that American hostages are being held by Hamas. We can’t forget that for one day. Not for one minute.”
source: Twitter
Rep Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR)
“Where are the women’s groups?… Women that are being raped and abused…. We have to make sure these women comes home safe. They are our sisters, our moms, our daughters. I asked America to please pay attention to the women.”
source: YouTube
For those “who remain in distress and captivity”
The Acheinu prayer has been recited since the 9th century and in weekly prayers. It was sung during WWI and during other war times. It is apropos for today..
Our brethren, the entire House of Israel who remain in distress and captivity, whether on sea or on land, may G-d have compassion on them, and bring them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from servitude to redemption, at this moment, speedily, very soon. And let us say: Amen.
For two renditions:
- Central Synagogue, NY, NY (Oct 2023)
- Chief Rabbi of Johannesburg, South Africa (Oct 2023)
For more background on Acheinu:
- The National Library of Israel, Sing a Prayer for the Hostages’ Release
- My Jewish Learning, AcheinuL A Prayer for Freeing Captives
Vehi she’amda
And this is what stood up for our ancestors and for us.
For not only one [enemy] rose up to destroy us, but in every generation they rise up to destroy us.
But the Holy One, blessed be G-d, delivers us from their hands.
This poem, often in song, tells the story of the Jewish people’s survival.
The commentators often ask:
What is “this” that has sustained us?
G-d, Torah, prayer, memory, peoplehood, action, other?
A good question for your seder table!
For a commentary, see Vehi She’amda: The Secret of Jewish Survival.
For a musical rendtion, see Vehi She’amda, sung by Gann Academy students & CJP’s Rabbi Marc Baker
Maimonides
There is no greater obligation than redeeming captives.
The problems of the captive include being hungry, thirsty, unclothed, and in danger for their lives.
Maimonides (aka Rambam or Moses ben Maimon), philosopher of the Middle Ages, revered in Judaism & Islam
From Redemption of Captives
additional readings from Jewish text
Sefaria, Redemption of Captives
Emma Lazarus’ Epistle (1883)
See Passover 2024: Until all of us are free, none of us are free
What More in the Name of Love
For my other Passover posts this year and from prior years, see my Passover blog.
