As spring breathes new life into the world, the Jewish calendar brings us to Pesach, the Festival of Freedom. At first glance, it's a historical commemoration: the miraculous exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But Pesach is not just about what happened—it's about what happens, year after year, inside of us.
Every detail of the Passover story is rich with symbolism. Egypt—Mitzrayim in Hebrew—shares its root with meitzarim, meaning narrow places. Egypt isn't just a location on a map; it's the embodiment of constriction, of limitation, of being stuck. And just as Pharaoh's rule once confined the Israelites, we, too, find ourselves constrained—by fears, habits, toxic patterns, and limiting beliefs that enslave us in our day-to-day lives.
The beauty of Pesach lies in its dual message: liberation from without and liberation from within. The external story of leaving slavery is powerful, but it serves as a mirror to our inner journeys. What parts of our lives are holding us back? What "Pharaohs" do we listen to—those voices that tell us we're not good enough, not ready, not deserving?
Pesach invites us to ask bold questions at the Seder table but also quietly within. It challenges us to lean into discomfort, to taste the bitterness of our struggles (maror), and also to celebrate our growth with joy (charoset). It reminds us that redemption often begins with a small, trembling step into the unknown—just like our ancestors stepping into the Red Sea before it parted.
The holiday teaches that freedom is not a one-time event but a process. Every year, we're offered the opportunity to shed a layer, to walk out of our personal Egypts with a renewed sense of purpose, clarity, and openness.
So this Pesach, as we gather with family or reflect alone, let's not just recount the ancient story—let's live it. Let's examine our own lives: What are the "narrow places" we need to break free from? What parts of ourselves are waiting to be liberated?
True freedom is not just about breaking chains; it's about discovering who we are when limitations no longer bind us so we can be the best version of ourselves, the person G-d destined us to be.
Mission: Break Free, let the Seder inspire your journey forward to a better version of yourself.