Making the Mundane Holy and the Holy Special
Can be used when discussing the three symbols of Passover: the Matzah; the Maror; the Pesach
Background:
The Passover story is filled with symbolism, moments where we take the mundane and imbue it with a sense of meaning, unique to the Passover story. On their own, they are regular foods that can be consumed in various forms throughout the year. But to make it holy, we incorporate it into the telling of the Passover story of freedom.
Every 28 years we have one opportunity to join as a Jewish community and bless the sun. Once every 28 years we can praise the sun and all life that comes from that gift. Such a moment is worthy of its own service and special prayers, but reality offers a different story.
Through a sequence of readings from TaNaCh and the regular morning service (click here for a modern and here for the traditional service), we climax by looking up at the sun (if it is a clear day) and saying, “Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the universe, who makes the works of creation… oseh maaseh bereishit.” This is indeed a beautiful blessing, but far from unique. This is the blessing that can be said every time you see lightning, shooting stars or high mountains.
Communal Question:
Here, we have a different challenge, to make the holy (a blessing!), unique. How can we do that?
Possible answer/action:
(Note: This can either lead to further discussion, or a communal pause, to be aware of the moment, to this unique gathering of people on this particular Passover evening.)
Another blessing in our repertoire has a similar challenge of representing uniqueness, while being said frequently. This Passover seder is the only one of our lives that will follow directly behind Birkat HaHammah. For so many reasons, we can say the blessing of shehechiyanu.
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this sacred moment... shehechiyanu, v'ki-emanu, v'higianu la-zman hazeh.
Click here for printer-friendly format.
Background:
The Passover story is filled with symbolism, moments where we take the mundane and imbue it with a sense of meaning, unique to the Passover story. On their own, they are regular foods that can be consumed in various forms throughout the year. But to make it holy, we incorporate it into the telling of the Passover story of freedom.
We are told (Exodus 12:8) of the menu of the original Passover meal: “They shall eat meat (of the lamb)… roasted over the fire with matzah and maror.”
Raban Gamliel then states, “All who have not explained the significance of three things during the Passover seder have not yet fulfilled their duty. The three are the Passover lamb, the matzah and the maror.”
Raban Gamliel then states, “All who have not explained the significance of three things during the Passover seder have not yet fulfilled their duty. The three are the Passover lamb, the matzah and the maror.”
Every 28 years we have one opportunity to join as a Jewish community and bless the sun. Once every 28 years we can praise the sun and all life that comes from that gift. Such a moment is worthy of its own service and special prayers, but reality offers a different story.
Through a sequence of readings from TaNaCh and the regular morning service (click here for a modern and here for the traditional service), we climax by looking up at the sun (if it is a clear day) and saying, “Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the universe, who makes the works of creation… oseh maaseh bereishit.” This is indeed a beautiful blessing, but far from unique. This is the blessing that can be said every time you see lightning, shooting stars or high mountains.
Communal Question:
Here, we have a different challenge, to make the holy (a blessing!), unique. How can we do that?
Possible answer/action:
(Note: This can either lead to further discussion, or a communal pause, to be aware of the moment, to this unique gathering of people on this particular Passover evening.)
Another blessing in our repertoire has a similar challenge of representing uniqueness, while being said frequently. This Passover seder is the only one of our lives that will follow directly behind Birkat HaHammah. For so many reasons, we can say the blessing of shehechiyanu.
Blessed are you, Eternal our God, Source of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this sacred moment... shehechiyanu, v'ki-emanu, v'higianu la-zman hazeh.
Click here for printer-friendly format.
Contributors to this page: Liore - last modified on Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:40 pm.