By Eli Bass, Director of Jewish Life
This week the Jewish community en
ters into the celebration of Passover. At Passover, we celebrate our freedom from slavery, which is described in the Book of Exodus. We are told that in each generation we must imagine ourselves as the emancipated slaves of the exodus story.
In the Jewish community the process of commemorating the exodus happens through a festive dinner called a Seder, and avoiding all leavened products for the entire holiday. Seder literally means order. It is an ordered structure for how to retell the story of the exodus. The Seder has a rigid structure, which pushes us to contemplate slavery and freedom. What is the nature of the story of the exodus? We can see this story in the narrative of many marginalized communities.
One prominent example is within the black church. The story of the exodus was critically important to the civil rights movement. That black liberation recognized oppression and the potential to end this oppression. When the power to liber- ate seemed daunting many turned to this story in the Bible, God and spirituality.
Passover has become a timeless story. We re-examine this story looking for new ways to find a deeper meaning. In each generation we must examine those things which keep us from being truly liberated.
The story also forces us to examine the ways we also are a part of the oppression of others.
Just today, I purchased a smartphone. It is a purchase I’m conscious of having many unseen consequences. Reading and learning about conditions in factories that produce cell phones have made me feel a bit sick. Workers have reported troubling conditions to produce these phones including low wages and terrible working conditions. There are also deep environmental costs of my decision.
Knowing that my purchase will likely create suffering requires me to speak out for better conditions for the unseen factory workers who produced my phone. As a consumer in the United States I recognize my deep privilege and the cost it has for others across the world.
As a purchaser, I’m concerned that I am supporting conditions at these factories which incentivize minimal concern for the experience of the workers producing my device. As part of my Pass- over experience, I’m working on being a better advocate for those who made my phone.
Looking down at my phone I recognize a new angle on the exodus of slavery and liberation. At many moments, my phone is a powerful tool, which allows me to be far more effective as an individual. In other moments, I allow my phone to have power instead of the interpersonal relationships that I see as critical. When do I allow myself to become a slave of my phone? How to I liberate my relationships over devices. How do I allow myself to be truly present in the moments I share with people? I believe this reflection results in me becoming a better person.
I believe that each year at Passover we must find parts of us where we seek liberation. That this liberation allows us to become truly free. On the other hand, we also must recognize that our actions impact others.
On Passover, the tradition of freeing ourselves from the use of any bread related product is an extremely difficult pro- cess. For one week the process of avoiding bread products is a difficult task. As a baker, banishing bread is a difficult task for me. It is also a deeply valuable moment of reflection for me each year.
For those who are celebrating Easter or Passover this weekend, I’d like to wish you a very happy holiday weekend.
Director’s Discussion reflects the views of an individual member of the religious field. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire university. The content of the Forum page is the responsibility of the editor in chief and the Forum editor
