Thoughts For Pesach

Happy Passover to you all! As we commence this holiday celebrating liberation, I want to reflect on what liberation means for us in today's world that always brings forth more occasions for joy and at the same time more heartbreaking instances of violence.

Whenever I post a thought on social media, it is seen by thousands of friends and fans from vastly different backgrounds. These people have formed a community on the basis of their common appreciation for my love of musical performance—hopefully because I'm good at it! Of course, this community fosters discourse that results in pages of Facebook comments expressing love, support, disdain, and, surprisingly, prejudice. So many people invoking “freedom of speech” have expressed bigoted views, often engaging in monologues denouncing my attempt at bringing communities together. One person even called bringing Muslims and Jews to worship in the same space “chicanery.”

Unfortunately, in many cases, an individual will come across another whose beliefs or behaviors do not fit their idea of what is acceptable or “normal” and the individual will scorn the other as one not entitled to human rights! I've heard people insist on the universality of human rights in one moment and then claim there are exceptions to that universality in another moment. We see this behavior from governments and individuals around the world. We must always push toward the universal and away from the exclusionary.

I have been criticized for treating my Torah with disrespect, and for “disgracing” Judaism by bringing Muslims and Jews together. I think every relic needs an occasional rest from eternal veneration, know what I mean? Ultimately, many of my fans and their opinions have led me to a lot of questions. What is it to be Jewish? What is it to belong? What measures do we take to maintain these norms and how do they reinforce exclusionary practices that perpetuate harmful stereotypes? That we live with others whose values are different from our own, or who are strange to us, simply means that we as individuals are not the center of the universe. We are every day interacting with the differences others present to us, and it is up to us as a group to choose to live socially and democratically. We need to work toward not necessarily a unified, rigid harmony, but a harmony which is a love of differences. This is the true image of liberation. We must go there together.

During our time of celebration, remember this phrase: “If you want to go fast, go alone…if you want to go far, go together.” So, tonight at your Seder tables, may you take time to appreciate the blessing of community and the blessing of freedom. Wishing every single one of you a beautiful and peaceful holiday with family and friends. Now…what's for dinner?