So like our seder, Judaism has come full circle:

  • from a primitive tribe following a militaristic Ark of the Covenant into battle,
  • to a pacifist people following laws and traditions emphasizing fairness, charity and prayer
  • to strongly supporting the development and conquests of the state of Israel as a Jewish homeland and safety net.

That is a lot of what the Seder is all about. The Traditional Haggadah portrays God as using powerful forces to extricate the Jews from Egypt resulting in much death and suffering among the Egyptians but providing a national government and land for the Israelites to live in. The Haggadah states we should “pour out the blood of our enemies” and rejoice in the celebration of their defeat. Many scholars believe the original Haggadah’s message of freedom was a call to revolt against the Romans.

Later Passover messages, incorporating over 2000 years of tradition since that time, state we should always welcome the stranger, remember that we were strangers in a strange land, and value freedom for ourselves and others as well. These messages of inclusion and caring for the poor cannot be more clear.

We may not personally like the duality of the messages of Passover, but we must appreciate them, acknowledge them, and learn from the lessons that they teach.


haggadah Section: Nirtzah