Dear Friends,
Can you believe it? Passover is already just a week away! As we prepare for Passover, let’s keep the following in mind.
One of the most remarkable statements in the Haggadah is, “Our ancestors started out as idol worshippers, but now G-d has brought us near to serve Him.”
I think it’s a remarkable statement because it goes against how ancient people typically defined themselves, idealizing and glamorizing their national founders. Jews, however, open their story with: “Our ancestor, Abraham’s father was a schlemiel; he worshiped sticks and stones…”
Why do we say this?
The Rebbe, offers a moving answer. Passover, by all accounts, is the most observed Jewish holiday in our times. Many Jews at the Seder are inspired by the sanctity and majesty of the evening. But some of our brothers and sisters who are disaffiliated fear they’ve discovered Judaism too late and that it’s now too difficult to reshape their lives to live Jewishly.
The Haggadah’s response is clear: “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” – just pagans, no different from the people among whom they lived. However, “now G-d has brought us close to His service.”
We grew spiritually. The whole story of the Jewish people is one of rising from the very bottom, of emerging from the lowest depths. Any Jew who returns to Judaism today, despite a complete lack of background, encapsulates our entire Jewish history.
This passage reminds us that no matter how low we’ve fallen, no matter how far we think we’ve gone, we can always return to our faith and tradition. We are children of Abraham and Sarah. We can always come home.
I remember when I was a child at camp, we used to sing the song: “No matter where you may roam, you can always come back home.” Even if, for whatever reason, you’ve felt disillusioned or have not attended shul for a long time, come home to the beautiful Chabad of Naples family, where you’ll be welcomed with open arms and feel like family.
Come and join us tomorrow at 10:30 for Shabbat services, followed by the Kiddush luncheon.
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom and an early Happy Passover!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos