Dear all,
I was very proud when I took this photo of our Passover Seder Plate last year.
But then I realized there were items I had forgotten to include. It was not perfect.
I was then reminded of a conversation I had with a person during her process converting to Judaism. I asked her to share her favorite Jewish Holy Day or Festival.
She responded “Passover.”
It’s not uncommon. After all, Passover is about families and friends joining to over a meal that recalls our shared history while imploring us to make the world better for all people.
But that’s not why Passover was her favorite Festival. She then explained: “At the end of seder, we always say, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ In other words, we may not have everything perfect this year. You see …. there are always ways to improve. We are all a work in process.
I loved that.
Passover is not about perfection. It’s about our journey.
It’s not about the final product. it’s about understanding where we are in this moment in time.
Ron, Maya, Eli, and I wish you and all you love a season of goodness.
With love and Shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
