PASSOVER AND POLITICS
Politics are as old as humanity, regardless of the system of governance, all the infighting, all the jockeying for position. Even in the Bible, we are privy to all kinds of political upheavals. God was displeased with King Saul, so he had Samuel dethrone him and anoint David in his place. Saul was not very pleased.
During times of political changes there can be upheaval. Will the new leader be like the preceding one? Will s/he usher in a fresh new era with innovative ideas to address societal problems? Will s/he be fair-minded? Will s/he be corrupt? Will s/he be trustworthy?
And, so it happened that “...a new King arose over Egypt, who did not know of Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). Joseph, the Israelite, the man of the multi-colored robe fame who suffered terribly from the jealousy and hatred of his brothers, through a series of events had become second only to Pharaoh in power over all of Egypt enabling him ultimately to save the Israelites and the Egyptians from starvation. Amazing!
During times of political changes there can be upheaval. Will the new leader be like the preceding one? Will s/he usher in a fresh new era with innovative ideas to address societal problems? Will s/he be fair-minded? Will s/he be corrupt? Will s/he be trustworthy?
And, so it happened that “...a new King arose over Egypt, who did not know of Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). Joseph, the Israelite, the man of the multi-colored robe fame who suffered terribly from the jealousy and hatred of his brothers, through a series of events had become second only to Pharaoh in power over all of Egypt enabling him ultimately to save the Israelites and the Egyptians from starvation. Amazing!
But, then another Pharaoh arose, a change of administrations, and he knew nothing of Joseph. Instead of embracing him and his people for their many contributions to Egyptian society, and allowing them to remain integrated in Egyptian society, he viewed them as a threat and gave them the name “B’nai Yisrael, the Children of Israel.” They were too numerous. They must be dangerous, he thought. He decided to be proactive by enslaving them with incrementally harsher measures until the Israelites could no longer stand it and they cried out to God for redemption. God heard their prayers and finally redeemed them.
Thus, set in motion the Passover story we relive year after year around our Seder tables. It was a cry for liberation that has been heard round the world throughout the generations. Everybody, Jew and non-Jew can relate to this story. It is referred to by Christian preachers, it is often referenced when we speak of the Civil War period and it served as a source of inspiration during the Civil Rights struggles of the last century.
The story is the same, year after year as we retell it, etched into our souls and into the consciousness of the world. Yet, when we relive the saga each year, though we know how it will end, dayenu, the world around us is ever-changing. What once is viewed negatively may during a different era seem acceptable. The world of today, our world, feels increasingly dangerous. We understand only too well that any one of us can become a victim of terrorism. It is by definition so arbitrary. We never know when terrorists will strike or where. It is a scary world and we want our leaders to keep us safe.
The story is the same, year after year as we retell it, etched into our souls and into the consciousness of the world. Yet, when we relive the saga each year, though we know how it will end, dayenu, the world around us is ever-changing. What once is viewed negatively may during a different era seem acceptable. The world of today, our world, feels increasingly dangerous. We understand only too well that any one of us can become a victim of terrorism. It is by definition so arbitrary. We never know when terrorists will strike or where. It is a scary world and we want our leaders to keep us safe.
The Passover story is not only a story about God’s redemption of the Israelites. It is also a story which beckons God to remind us time and time again in the Torah to empathically be kind to the stranger because we were once strangers in a strange land. We understand what it feels like to be suddenly cast as the outsider, to be treated differently, to be discriminated against and we know where such sentiments can lead all in the name of national security. But, we also appreciate the need for our leaders to allay our fears, to protect us. There is, however, a difference between protecting and fear-mongering. History has taught us that when politicians tell us what they are planning we should listen carefully and believe them.
Our national political rhetoric and behavior this season has been especially riveting, fascinating to watch the ideas of the fringe take hold because the world is so frightening. But, if nothing else, the Passover story should remind us that a new King arose who knew not Joseph and viewed the Israelites as a threat within, so numerous were they. He gave them a label, he dehumanized them and they became an entity. It is easy to change the label: yesterday it was Jews, today Muslims and tomorrow some other group. It is easy to dehumanize. This is not our way. This rhetoric time and time again throughout history has led to our destruction and we should know better.
When our politicians speak, we should believe them. This, too, is the story of Pesach and we would do well to remind ourselves around our Seder tables just where such talk can lead.
May our observance and celebration of Passover renew in each of us a spirit of benevolence and outreach to those who are now cast as the outsider.
When our politicians speak, we should believe them. This, too, is the story of Pesach and we would do well to remind ourselves around our Seder tables just where such talk can lead.
May our observance and celebration of Passover renew in each of us a spirit of benevolence and outreach to those who are now cast as the outsider.
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