Rabbi Joshua reflects on Passover

Posted by on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 in News.

The Jewish community at Vanderbilt gathered on the evening of Passover, April 14th and 15th, to celebrate the Jewish Feast of Freedom at Vanderbilt Hillel.  280 students participated in one of ten different student-led Seders, ritual (and delicious) meals that retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt.  The Exodus story is a yearly reminder that redemption from our slavery was uniting experience that prepared us to become a people: that call for justice is what should unite us today as well.  Whenever the Torah teaches us about caring for the most vulnerable in society, it reminds us that we were slaves in the Land of Egypt.  Freedom comes with the responsibility to live holy lives, and to work for justice and freedom for others.

Redemption is an important concept both for the holidays of Passover and Easter.  It is my hope that these seasons encourage us all to work towards redemption, materially and spiritually, for ourselves, our communities, and our world.

Thanks,
Rabbi Joshua