Rabbi's Message

RABBI’S MESSAGE:

SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE EXODUS

          It is interesting to note that every time that we recite the kiddush prayer, we include the words, zaycher litzeeaht mitzrayim, “in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.” We say these words not only on Passover but on every Sabbath and festival of the Jewish year!  And just because we have remembered our past so often, the Jewish people are among the very few in recorded history to have been privileged to return from exile in order to reclaim and rebuild a homeland.

          In 1946, a special Anglo-American Commission of Inquiry was created by President Harry S. Truman and Prime Minister Clement Attlee to hold hearings on the possibility of creating a Jewish state.  The first person to appear before the twelve commissioners was David Ben-Gurion, then Chairman of the Jewish Agency.  The statement that he made before them contains a profound observation about Jewish history.  In effect this is what Ben-Gurion said:

          “About three hundred years ago, the Mayflower set sail for America.  That was truly a great event for the Americans.  But other than historians and antiquarians, who remembers the sailing date, the number of passengers or the type of food served?” Then Ben-Gurion pointed-out that more than 3,300 years ago, the Israelites, our ancient ancestors, left Egypt.  He then went on to say: “Nearly every Jew knows that event occurred on the fifteenth day of Nisan.  We also know that they ate matzah.  We even know the exact words that were spoken.” Ben-Gurion concluded by saying, “Gentlemen, it is in the very nature of the Jew to remember the source of his being.”

          Indeed, it can truly be said that the Jewish people has survived as a creative group because we have taken the time to remember and to revere our history.  Because we remember our past, we are prepared to carry our responsibilities into the present and into the future.  In the words of the Haggadah: “All of those who dwell at length on the telling of the Exodus from Egypt are indeed praiseworthy.”  This year, at your Passover Seder take time to reflect on our wondrous heritage.