On Friday night, the 15th of Nissan, Jews all over the world will be celebrating Pesach (Passover). We will recount once more the story of our enslavement in Egypt, which took place more than 3500 years ago. We will remember the horrors our ancestors endured and also their miraculous exodus which was ushered by G-d.
Like all JEWISH tradition, Passover has a body and a soul. The body consists of the rituals, laws and structure of tradition. The soul is its inner meaning and significance.
The body of Passover is commemorating the Exodus from the Egyptian bondage and the soul of the holiday is FREEDOM. The whole purpose of the Passover Seder is to achieve transcendence. The exodus from Egypt “Mitzrayim”, which means boundaries, constraints and limitations. The Exodus from Mytzraim is freedom from bondage to our fears,inhibitions and addictions. We are therefore instructed to always see ourselves as if we just left Egypt.
The Seder Plate is a microcosm of our psyche. The next few days before Peisach I will focus on the meaning of each one of the items that consist the structure of the plate according to the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria (Holy Arizal).
My intention is that when you sit at your Seder on Friday night you will be able to infuse yourself with this wisdom, understanding and knowledge making your whole experience more meaningful and relevant to your personal life.
Adapted from Rabbi Simon Jacobson
“The Seder Plate: A Microcosm of Your Psyche”
