Page 19 - HaMizrachi #8 Pesach

Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel

Passing on the Flame

he essence of Seder night can vessel to the generation, to the times, to 3. One can perhaps see this third point as
be encapsulated in two words: the child and his or her needs. We should the opposite of the first, but upon deeper
ָ
T ך ְנ ִ ב ְ ל ָּ ת ְ ד ַּג ִ ה ְ ו, “and you shall plan in advance how we can arouse contemplation it is complementary to
tell your children.” The focus of this interest and make it relevant for our it: the story is transmitted from parents
night is our family story. It is inter- children. to children to grandchildren. To pass
generational. This story, the Story of on tradition and to bequeath Torah
stories, is the story of our identity as a 2. ָּ ת ְ ד ַּג ִ ה ְ ו, “and you shall tell,” implies one must recognize parental authority.
people. A people forged by slavery and the existence of a story of identity. A This is how Rabbi Shimshon Raphael
miraculously united by freedom. It’s Jew is born into a story. A foundational Hirsch understands the depth of the
not just a historical story from the past story that protects us even when we are mitzvot to honor and fear one’s parents.
but a story of destiny, looking towards dispersed. This is the story that connects There is no contradiction between the
the future. From that exodus arose the all Jews wherever they are. It was not for closeness of our first assumption and the
aspiration and the demand to establish nothing that Ben-Gurion related this hierarchy engrained in the parent-child
a just and ethical society, dedicated only story in front of the UN in 1947 (see relationship. This hierarchy ensures that
to G-d’s sovreignty, a society in which page 23). This is the story that is the the story is transmitted forwards while
every person is entitled to basic human basis of the Return to Zion in our times. also inspiring confidence and security.
respect. Not a negative freedom empty Our children do not need us purely
of content, but a release obligating a This is a story that tells the child what
respectful attitude to all, detachment he or she belongs to. The role of every to be their friends. They need us as
from the ropes of routine and external parent – and not just of school – is to authoritative and guiding figures.
edicts, and devotion to the values of connect our young to this story. It is Pesach is different from all other holidays
ethics and Torah. very different to all the post-modernist in that it places extra emphasis on family
theories that smash every framework of traditions, and the special mitzvah
There are three basic elements to this identity to promote one sacred value: ָ
ָ
special mitzvah of ך ְנ ִ ב ְ ל ָּ ת ְ ד ַּג ִ ה ְ ו: of ך ְנ ִ ב ְ ל ָּ ת ְ ד ַּג ִ ה ְ ו strengthens the inter-
the freedom of the individual. The generational bond – between those that
1. To tell a story that will have impact, Jewish approach extols the possibilities have been and those will be, all passing
there must be an inter-generational of choice within a framework of ethical on the same story like a burning torch
connection. The word Haggadah in commitment. The freedom we discuss that cannot be extinguished no matter
Hebrew comes from the root ד-ג-נ – on Seder night is not about detaching what happens in life.
which in the Talmud means connection. ourselves from any family or national
The story is one and only, but the ways context. On the contrary. The content of Rabbanit Dr. Leah Vizel is Dean of
to tell it are varied and “according to the our freedom is a derivative of its unique Students at a college of higher education
child’s intelligence.” One must adapt the context within the Jewish people. and a lecturer in Judaism and in Law

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