One of the major principles of the Passover festival is that we learn and talk about freedom. In fact, one of the other names for Pesach is “Chag Hacherut”, literally meaning Festival of Liberation.

Slavery is a social-economic system under which persons are deprived of freedom. Although outlawed in nearly all countries today, slavery is still secretly practiced in some parts of the world.

The message relayed from the story of Exodus which we repeat and tell every year during Pesach, is to help people in distress and those suffering under the hands of others or even to those taking advantage of a person’s unfortunate circumstances. Many, many years ago, thousands of Afro-Americas marched protesting to stop the slavery with a slogan “Let my people go”. No doubt they took it from the story of the exodus. We also used the same slogan some thirty years ago, when Jews all over the world demanded the liberation of Russian Jews.

As Jews, we are reminded many times in the Torah to treat strangers and the poor kindly as is written “ You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt….” “and you shall love the stranger as yourself because you were a stranger in the Land of Egypt”. It may seem improper to talk about slavery in modern times, but even today, each one of us has his or her portion of some kind of slavery, some kind of addiction, some kind of ‘Land of Egypt’, that he or she needs to be redeemed of.

All of us appreciate and want freedom, and condemn all kinds of pressures, but we should also remember that freedom or independence or liberty for anyone or even a minority should not be sought on account of someone else. Liberty should be rightfully sought convincing the majority to let go of their pride or rights. This brings about togetherness and harmony.

As we sit around the Seder table, we think about our people all over the world and feel united as one, celebrating the birth of the Jewish people.

Wishing you Chag Kasher VeSameach!