So the seder is over. Yesterday in class we were able to do a shortened version of the Passover remembrance meal. When I was planning it, I called one of my best friend's grandparents. Grandpa Selekman is a retired Rabbi, so he and Grandma are one of the best resources I could have hoped for. I spoke to Grandma when I called, and her big emphasis was on how this is a day to celebrate the freedom the Israelites finally had. She suggested we each share what freedom means to us (but we ran out of time...) A number of the Haggadahs I looked at in preparation also mention something of this sort. Many begin to ask the question "What is our Egypt today?"
You see, each of us has something that holds us back from being completely free. Sometimes it's a hectic schedule, sometimes a need to watch the football, sometimes a real addiction. Whatever it is, we may see it as good. After all, when things got tough didn't the Israelites ask Moses why he brought them out of Egypt? There were good enough graves there and the wandering was harder. We view what holds us back as something we want, something that is a good part of our lives, even a God-honoring part sometimes. Watching football together is fellowship, right? But when does it become our Egpyt? Cause it certainly can- something that holds us back from God, that we put ahead of Him in our lives. THAT is one way it means to not be free in a country where freedom is everything. Unless God is first and we listen to His calling for us, how can we happily claim freedom?
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