A Moment in Time: How is this Passover Different from all other Passovers?

Dear all,

This year at Seder, the question is not, “How is this night different from all other nights?” Rather, the question is, “How is this Passover different from all other Passovers?”

It’s so odd… Every year, as Ron and I prepare to host 30 family members for Seder, we say to one another, “Next year, perhaps someone else should host.” After all, it’s a lot of work. But this year, we are mourning that we won’t be opening our home because of the physical distancing that Coronavirus requires. This holds true for those observing Easter as well.

Yes, it will be different. We will attempt to connect to family and friends during Seder via phone calls and FaceTime, “Zoom Rooms” and Skype. It will be strange, and it will be creative. It will be frustrating, and it will be funny.

Passover reminds us that throughout history, we have struggled – and we have survived. We have journeyed through deserts. And we have achieved our dreams.

And so ….

While we usually conclude our Seder by saying, “This year we are here. Next year, we will be in Jerusalem”, I propose that at this moment in time, we add, “This year we are here. Next year, we will be together.”

May that be our blessing as we cross this desert.

With love and Shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro