In Deuteronomy chapter 26, we find a significant ritual: the offering of the first fruits to the priest in the Jerusalem temple. The text states, “and he came to the Cohen (priest) that will be in those days and you shall say to him… ‘I declare today to the LORD…
Category: Passover
Celebrate a Seder of Freedom
As an immigrant to the United States — having moved here from the UK in 2005 — I have a deep appreciation for this country. Despite the fact that some in government want to place restrictions of everything we do down to the size of drinks we buy, what amazes…
A Profoundly Moving Interfaith Seder Experience
It felt like any other communal Passover Seder. The tables were set with Matzah, wine, horseradish and Charoset and there was a nice sprinkling of children in attendance. However, this Seder was different. It took place a week before Passover and most of the participants were not Jewish or to…
Passover Emancipating Ourselves To Reach Our Full Potential
Freedom is a huge issue in America today. Indeed, some maintain that we are currently fighting a war to preserve our freedoms. But how many of us actually appreciate what this freedom means? How many of us ensure that we use this privilege to the best of our ability? Passover,…
Life Transforming Contemplative Seder
The Passover Seder is a time when families get together. However, often because of the long readings from the Haggadah the Seder can become difficult – people become edgy, arguments can break out and the whole experience can become rather disheartening. In order to ensure that the Seder can be…
The Answer to Political Apathy
My teenage years were spent thirsting for a big idea. I was searching for something that would catch my imagination. Although I went to an Orthodox Jewish school, there was nothing I was taught that fired my passion. In fact, by the age of sixteen I was rather apathetic about…