Q:
A: I love Passover. I am an American and a Jew, and Passover is the most American of all our holidays. First of all, it celebrates FREEDOM. Every American, regardless of his or her faith, can't miss the clear message of the holiday that all people are entitled to be free. In a nation that had to fight for its own freedom and that has found that freedom challenged time and again right up until the present day, Passover is a reminder that the goal, and the challenges, have always been with us. Second, Passover teaches us humility and the commonality of all peoples. When we read in the Haggadah about the ten plagues, we spill drops of wine. As long as there is death and suffering in the world, even by our enemies, our cups can never be full. That is an important lesson. Just to make sure, the lesson is taught again later on in the Seder, when the Hagaddah retells the story that the waters parted, allowing the Jews to escape, but then crashed down and drowned the Egyptians who pursued them. The angels are said to have shouted praise for this act, but God silenced them: the Egyptians were his creatures too, and if they were dying, no one should be joyful. Finally, Passover is about family. It is about the bonds that tie each generation to the next. The Haggadah reminds us that parents must tell their children the story of Passover, or as much of it as the child is able to comprehend at his age. The Passover story is eternal. Each of us today must "come out of slavery." Hope this helps. Good luck!!