At Passover, many Jews are consumed by food issues. For some, the question is, "What shall I serve, and how much do I need?" It's wonderful to host the celebration of the Feast of Freedom, perhaps trying new things to delight guests.
Others worry about having the correct ritual items. How many boiled eggs, bottles of wine, or how much haroset, the sweet blend of nuts and fruit, is enough? Where can I get gluten-free matzoh? Can I really use a chicken bone or a roasted beet instead of a lamb shank? Still others ride the "kosher for Passover" express, divesting the house of some foodstuffs and replacing them with certified items.
Some are thinking about friends and family. Who is coming or where I am going for seder? Will I have to put up with so-and-so? Will my guests get along? How will they deal with our abbreviated/unabridged seder? Why does it seem as if the Four Questions always start with "When do we eat?"
The dictum for Jews to concern themselves with discussing the Exodus from Egypt and the ceremony itself appeals to others. How much of this story is true? Were the rabbis trying to make other points when they recast the Torah's story? What do a single goat and all those other songs at the end have to do with Passover?
As someone who is concerned with all these issues, I know that the point of Passover is something else.
To be sure, Passover is cast to reinforce Jewish particularity. It is what God did for us, not for any other nation or people. Perhaps that underscores a notion we don't hear about much anymore: the idea of the mission of Israel. It's akin to the biblical "light unto the nations" ideal, that Judaism should be an example to the world of positive values.
Most Jews don't think of themselves as missionaries, and don't want to, although most people wouldn't deny that being a good example is worthwhile. But the enduring value of Passover may not be its particularity, but its universality: Freedom is good, and is good for all.
Sitting around the Passover seder table in America, we have an unparalleled freedom that was unimaginable to our ancestors until a generation or two ago. Do we even begin to appreciate it?
More to the point: How many people in this world are still enslaved? Political enslavement. Economic enslavement. Food insecurity enslavement. Threat of violence and war enslavement. Enslavement due to race, tribe, sexual orientation, minority status, gender, illiteracy.
There are issues about how our clothing is made and how our food is grown. Girls and boys are trafficked.
Passover reminds us that freedom is precious, and doesn't come without a fight. Passover tells the story that the Israelites were gifted by God with freedom.
If it was good enough for God to give to us, it's good enough for us to spread around.
This Passover, let's think about what we can do to increase freedom in the world.
Cashman is rabbi of B'nai Sholom Reform Congregation in Albany.