As spring blooms around us, a blank slate for nature's promise, we find many reasons to rejoice. Yet none of us is so naive as to deny the pain and suffering that abounds in the world. Poised at this intersection of heartbreak and hope, our tradition models gracious navigation of conflicting realities.
Consider how we eat the bread of affliction and slavery even as we recline as free people around the seder table. We recognize the brokenness of our world, breaking the middle matzah, even as we pray for wholeness and redemption and open the door for Elijah. We celebrate the joy of the festival even as we sorrowfully remember those whom we have lost in years past and recite Yizkhor prayers.
The Hillel sandwich at the Seder is the ultimate embrace of incongruous truths. The bitter horseradish and the sweet charoset are a tasty reflection on holding joy and sorrow in the same bite. We savor the apples and cinnamon even as the maror brings tears to our eyes.
Our people’s journey from slavery to freedom informs our hope in the future. Suffering and sorrow are only one chapter of the narrative. What brings us low today will give way to better things tomorrow. That is how we can hold our heads high and exclaim anew at the conclusion of our seder, “Next year in Jerusalem.”
Under the guidance of our medical advisory committee, we have moved to an optional masking policy for worship. We will continue to watch the numbers and, in accordance with the CDC, will update the policy as necessary. With unmasking, it will be even more important to monitor yourself and to stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms or have been a close contact.to anyone with a confirmed case. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
