Pesach 5785

Pesach 5785 (2025)

Tonight, as we gather around our tables for our Pesach sedarim, we find ourselves participating in a ritual that reaches deep into our collective past. I read somewhere that more than 80% of Jews around the world, especially those in non-Orthodox communities, either host or attend a seder. It's remarkable, isn't it? But perhaps not surprising. The seder, after all, is not only about food and family, it’s fundamentally about conversation—conversation that is rich, multi-layered, and intentionally complex.

This complexity is symbolised by the recurring motif of the number four—the four cups of wine, the four questions, the four children—each designed not merely to be rituals performed mechanically, but as conversation starters that lead us to deeper insights. Every symbol on the seder plate, from the bitter herbs to the traditional roasted bone which we may have chosen to replace with a beet, possesses a literal meaning, yet each is open to many interpretations. This multiplicity is of course not accidental; rather, it serves as a profound reminder that life itself is rarely simple or singular in meaning.

Historically, Passover celebrates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt, as recounted in the Book of Exodus. Yet even before the biblical narrative was established, Passover found roots in ancient seasonal celebrations. Originating in agricultural societies, Passover coincided with springtime rituals marking the lambing season, the renewal of life, and the practice of apotropaic magic—rituals intended to ward off evil and protect communities from harm. These ancient practices remind us that the rhythms of nature and the cycles of renewal and protection underpin our observance, connecting us not only to our own history but to humanity's broader experience.

Yet our seder does not solely rely on the Exodus narrative. Instead, it intertwines with the narrative from Deuteronomy where we read that "my father was a wandering Aramean”, and the ancient rabbis crafted midrash, rich interpretative discussions around this texts, inviting us into a dialogue that continues to this very evening. Our tradition, rooted in this ancient form of enquiry and debate, reminds us that truth emerges from complexity, from engaging deeply with differing viewpoints.

In choosing tonight specifically the simpler, “children's” version of the seder, I've intentionally emphasised storytelling and memory over intricate ritual detail. This approach honours the words from the Liberal Jewish Haggadah that tell us that “the celebration of the seder has been designed especially for teaching children, as it is written: ‘and you shall tell your child on that day... and when your children ask you, you shall tell them’ (Exodus 13:8, 14).” It is a commandment to teach through stories, to remember vividly, and above all, to ensure our traditions remain accessible and alive in the hearts of future generations.

Pesach is a powerful moment for spiritual transformation. It challenges us to reflect personally on what it means to move from the narrow confines—the metzar—of our personal Egypts, into the open spaces of liberation, the merkhav yah, a space filled with the presence and possibility of God. The ritual removal of chametz—leavening—symbolically represents the spiritual act of clearing away excess and arrogance, creating space for simplicity, humility, and clarity. Just as we physically clear our homes, so too must we spiritually cleanse ourselves, embracing a sense of spiritual lightening and renewal.

"B’khol dor va-dor"— from every generation to the next, the Haggadah instructs us—we must each see ourselves as personally redeemed from Egypt, cultivating empathy by imagining ourselves in the shoes of the most vulnerable.

We live in a world that often seems to be fraying at the edges—where liberty, freedom, and individual choice are increasingly limited or questioned. Tonight’s seder offers an antidote to narrow, monolithic thinking. It asserts the power of community, conversation, and nuanced understanding in a world that tends toward oversimplification. Just as our ancestors stood together in defiance of oppression, so too must we resist isolation and division, supporting each other and affirming our collective humanity and Jewishness.

Although it might be unusual for the leader of the seder to give a speech, I've chosen, inspired by the tradition of many Chasidic masters and the spirit of the Greek symposium (meaning, drink together) and Roman convivium (meaning, live together), to speak tonight. These ancient customs remind us of the profound value found in dialogue, shared food, and communal celebration.

Tonight, as we sit together at our seder tables, let us remember that Pesach historically marked the beginning of a new year in ancient times, aligning itself with the natural cycles of renewal. Our gathering tonight, therefore, serves not only as a remembrance, but as a mirror reflecting our intentions for the year to come. Let us commit ourselves to nurturing our community, strengthening bonds of friendship, and solidarity, and carrying forward the values of empathy, justice, and freedom throughout the entire year.

As we reflect individually but together, let us recall the words of the civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who proclaimed that "nobody is free until everybody’s free." She dedicated her life to exposing the injustice, racism, misogyny, economic inequality, and ableism experienced by Black Americans. Likewise, we would be at fault not to recognise the waves of antisemitism that our own people continue to face globally. Even as we gather tonight, wars rage, freedoms are curtailed, and many remain captive to oppressive circumstances.

Therefore, let us pray for the redemption of captives “pidyon shvu’yim - פדיון שבויים”:

May the One who redeemed our ancestors from Egypt, who rescued those in dire need throughout history, watch over and safeguard all captives and hostages, granting them freedom and comfort. May they speedily return in peace, and let us say, Amen.

Tonight, may we find meaning within the multiplicity and comfort amidst the complexity of our seder. May our conversations inspire empathy, clarify our sense of justice, and motivate us to take action that is compassionate and grounded in an ever-complicated world. Chag Pesach Sameach.