As the Festival of Passover approaches, I want to offer a perspective on how the Four Questions of the Seder can resonate today.
1) On all other nights, we eat both bread and matzah. Why on this night, only matzah?
Have we noticed that not far from our homes are those who can’t afford proper nutrition?
2) On all other nights, we eat all vegetables. Why on this night, specifically maror/ bitter herbs?
Are we doing something to help those whose lives are embittered today?
3) On all other nights, we don’t dip our food at all. Why on this night, so we dip twice? (Parsley into salt water and marorinto charoset).
Dipping one substance into another is akin to bridging two worlds. What are we doing to bridge the divides that exists in our community?
4) On all other nights, we eat either sitting up or reclining. Why on this night do we all recline?
Sometimes we need to shift our position to gain insight into another point of view. Have we allowed ourselves to do this?
As we celebrate our season of freedom, don’t think on, but act on these questions! All it takes is a moment in time to open the door for Elijah and see the world beyond our table.
With love and Shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
