Pesach

In addition to today being Good Friday in the Western Christian tradition, tonight is also the first evening of Pesach (Passover) for Jews all over the world.  My husband is Jewish, so we celebrate Passover in our house as well.  Tonight we will be retelling the story of the Exodus out of Egypt.  As we share the Passover meal together it will not be lost on either of us that it is the same meal that Jesus shared with his disciples on Maundy Thursday at the Last Supper.

  

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt recently wrote this reflection on Passover:

On Passover, Jews are commanded to tell the story of the Exodus and to see ourselves as having lived through that story, so that we may better learn how to live our lives today. The stories we tell our children shape what they believe to be possible—which is why at Passover, we must tell the stories of the women who played a crucial role in the Exodus narrative...

While there is much light in today’s world, there remains in our universe disheartening darkness, inhumanity spawned by ignorance and hate. We see horrific examples in the Middle East, parts of Africa, and Ukraine. The Passover story recalls to all of us—women and men—that with vision and action we can join hands with others of like mind, kindling lights along paths leading out of the terrifying darkness.

May it be so.
Happy Passover.  Blessed Good Friday.