Passover: The Jewish Passover Celebrates Freedom  

By TAPAN CHATTERJEE  

Passover: The Jewish Passover Celebrates Freedom  

The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, a combination of peh and sach . The two words mean, 'the mouth speaks'. Passover is all about communication.

It all started with that communication from God to Moses or Moshe about the redemption of the Hebrews from their slavery under the Pharoah. This Holy communication guided the oppressed to freedom. For this act of redemption the Jews are so reverential to Him that they never write the word 'God' in full. Instead, they write G-d, afraid that the paper on which it is written may get trampled upon, however inadvertently. For God's name, YaHWeH, or JeHoVaH they use the tetragrammaton, YHWH, or JHVH. With the vowels absent, they cannot and do not pronounce His name.

During Passover the Jews follow the commandment "And thou shalt tell thy sons" - to inform later generations about the departure of their ancestors from Egypt. The concept of nationhood is renewed annually in this manner by letting the "mouth speak" during the ceremonial dinner called Seder, in what can be described as a strongly symbolic ritual. In reading the Haggadah, or stories of Exodus, they recall their history with awe for Him.

The tradition is that the youngest child at the table answers the four questions that encapsulate the Seder. The questions are not for testing since the answers are known already. They are asked in a tone of bewilderment about that one night, 3,000 years ago. By answering them, even the youngest joins the nationhood of Jews. The questions focus on slavery versus freedom. Through this question-answer process children learn to appreciate the boon of freedom.

Speech, unique to humans, gives us freedom of choice and power. The Jews are taught: "Say little and do much" (Avos 1:15). Rav Meir had clarified: "A man's words should always be few in addressing G-d." The contradiction between speaking "little" and to "tell" much about the journey from slavery to freedom is superficial.

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See also: Passover, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)