The following is my piece in the April 2, 2020 online edition
of the Philadelphia Jewish Link:
As we prepare to celebrate the holiday of Pesach and spend
time recounting the tale of the Exodus from Egypt, there’s a pressing question
(à la Ma Nishtana) that we really ought to consider: Why is this year different
from all other years?
Ordinarily, our Sedarim are consumed with drawing
distinctions between the bondage experienced by the Jews in Mitzrayim and
the freedom that subsequent generations of Jews have been so fortunate to
enjoy. The question is, are we truly free this year? It doesn’t really seem
like we are, being that we’re essentially confined to our homes and are taking
great care to ensure that we don’t engage in “non-essential” activities in this
era of social distancing and relative isolation.
There’s no question that we feel restricted and sequestered
in our respective houses. Children are prohibited from having playdates,
teenagers can’t hang out with their friends, and many adults are compelled to
work from home. Travel is restricted, stores are closed, and good luck to you
if you’re in the market for more toilet paper or hand sanitizer. If you were
asked to describe your current state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I can’t
imagine that “freedom” would be anywhere on that list.
However, if we can get past the inconveniences caused by the
precautionary measures that we’re all engaging in, the fact is that we are
indeed “free.” At the end of the day, we live in a nation where we can proudly
wear our Judaism on our sleeve. Yes, anti-Semitism is on the rise, but that
doesn’t change the fact that the United States Constitution mandates the free
exercise of religion, which the Jewish community benefits from each and every
day. With shuls closed due to the present situation, our “biggest dilemma” when
we daven in our homes is should we daven in the living room or dining room?
What about the den? Should we go outside to our yard and daven there? We should
never lose sight of the fact that we are always free to daven. Whether it’s in
shul or in our home, we can engage in tefillah whenever we want.
We are undeniably “free.” When we need food and groceries,
we can still get them despite the restrictions related to COVID-19, whether we
order them online or venture out to the store while exercising the requisite
degree of caution.
We are unquestionably “free.” When the weather is nice, and
we want to venture outside and get some fresh air after being cooped up inside
for what seems like forever, we can do so. We’re at liberty to go for a walk or
a run, enjoy a bike ride, or play basketball and enjoy the great outdoors.
Back to my original question: Why is this year different
from all other years? It’s because we’re dealing with a global health crisis
that has adversely impacted the lives of so many of us in one way or another.
We know people who are ill, and we unfortunately know people who lost their
lives as a result of COVID-19. We know families that will be sitting at their
Pesach Seder this year having just lost a loved one, such as a parent, a
child, or a sibling.
As we sit around the table during the Seder, albeit
with a smaller crowd than we may be accustomed to, we can never forget the
freedom that we are so fortunate to enjoy and the many blessings that Hashem
has bestowed upon us. Whether it’s having a roof over our head, food to eat, a
job that helps pay the bills, or a family that we love dearly, we must cherish
every bit of it and never lose sight of how blessed we are.
This year may be different from all other years, but the
fact remains that we are free and we are blessed, and there is no better time
than the present to acknowledge it accordingly and thank God for all that He
has given us.
May we all stay safe and healthy during these incredibly
turbulent times. Wishing everyone a Chag Kasher V’Sameach.
