RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY, LET THEM ENTER AND EAT :PASSOVER

RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL: THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY, LET THEM ENTER AND EAT : PASSOVER :  KOL DIHFIN YEISEI V'YEICHOL

 

Dear Editor:

 

Passover begins sundown, April 19. The Passover Hagaddah states: "Those who hunger, enter and eat." [KOL DIHFIN YEISEI V'YEICHOL ] The rabbis were not only speaking of those needing food, but of those wanting spiritual and human connection. Passover, which celebrates liberation of the Jewish nation from Pharaoh circa 3500 years ago, is re- told yearly reminding us of the universality of national liberation, be it in  Tibet, Kosovo, Palestine or Darfur. A theology without social action is a dinner consisting only of a menu. None of us are truly free, unless all of us live in Shalom.

 

The Talmud discusses the stork (chassida), an un-kosher bird. It received its name because it does chesed (lovingkindness) in sharing its food with other storks.  "Why isn't it kosher? Because it does lovingkindness only with other storks and not with any other birds." 

The stork may be a symbol for religious  communities—our great strength, but also our problematic nature. The strength of closely-knit religious or ethnic communities is the mutual help and support we give to members of the in-group.

Unfortunately, we do not always behave in such humane ways towards those not in our clique. The challenge for our religious-ethnic communities is to behave towards each other like human beings, and not like storks, welcoming all those who are hungry for fellowship and spiritual renewal, to enter and 'eat.'

 

Blessings for a sweet Pesach,

Rabbi Arthur Segal

 

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