Dear Friends,
Every year ahead of Passover, a group of us gather together to pack matzah and other holiday essentials for delivery across our community. This year we had a dedicated team of volunteers answer the call to assemble 800 of these care packages (with nearly 1,000 being distributed in total)!
As we were getting into the rhythm that comes with repetitive activity, my thoughts drifted toward the Seder and the Haggadah. Although I've read it many times in my life, one of the beginning passages suddenly struck me as odd.
We begin by saying, “Our ancestors started out as idol worshippers, but now God has brought us near to serve Him.”
That's how we are going to start our Passover Seder? By insulting our parents? Why do we say this?
The answer is that it teaches us an important lesson about our worth. It doesn't matter where you came from, how lowly your origin story. What matters is where you're going. It matters who you choose to be today, in this moment.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose 124th birthday will be on Sunday, spoke about this. Passover, by all accounts, is the most observed Jewish holiday in our times. Many Jews who are sitting around the Seder are inspired by the sanctity and majesty of the evening. But what troubles some of our brothers and sisters is the fear that they have discovered Judaism too late and now it is too difficult to reshape their lives to the noble purposes of our faith and to live Jewishly.
The Haggadah’s response is: “Don’t despair. Know that your predicament is no different from that of our people as a whole.”
“In the beginning our ancestors were idol worshippers.” However, “now God has brought us close to His service.”
The whole story of the Jewish people is one of rising from the very bottom, of emerging from the lowest depths. The Rebbe taught us over and over again that we are all valuable simply because of who we are. It's an idea that was instilled deeply within myself and Ettie, and it informs the way we serve our community each and every day.
Any Jew who is inspired by doing a mitzvah or learning about their heritage today, regardless of level of background, encapsulates our entire Jewish history, and is merely reclaiming their birthright and identity.
You can never be truly separated from your own essence, or a stranger within your own family.
And Chabad Naples is such a family! This is what struck me as we packed those boxes of matzah. Why do we do it? Why invest the time, the energy, the resources? Because each and every one of us is mishpacha. Family.
We encourage you to join us for Passover services and lunches. If you or anyone you know needs matzah, please reach out. (If you’re waiting on yours, it may take a few days to reach you!)
The stories of Jewish victory start in darkness and end in light. In the Haggadah, in the Torah, throughout Jewish history. When we look around the world today, it can be easy to see darkness, but we must remember that the story is not over.
The story ends with light — and we are the creators of that light.
So think about who you want to be in this moment, during this holiday. How can you answer the call to help your fellow have a more joyous Passover?
Shabbat Shalom and wishing all a Happy and Kosher Pesach,
Rabbi Fishel and Ettie Zaklos