My son Dovid, who just turned 13 yesterday, is a firstborn. The final plague in Egypt was the death of the firstborns. Because the Jewish firstborns were spared, it is customary to fast on Erev Pesach unless there is a substantial, joyous, Jewish celebration. One such event is a siyum, the completion of an entire Tractate of Talmud, which can take many months to learn. Since, this is a major mitzvah and celebration, eating overrides the fast.
Dovid completed the Tractate Makot. Esther and I are so very proud!
At the conclusion of the Tractate, Rabbi Akiva is in the company of fellow Torah scholars. The other rabbis are dismayed at the great revelry and success of Rome, while the Jews suffer. The Rabbis are also crying over the Temple Mount which lay in ruins. Rabbi Akiva, in both instances, was laughing – remarkably joyous. His colleagues did not understand.
How could he be so callous and laugh at a time of such utter sadness and failure?
They asked him.
His response was (paraphrased):
If the sinners and oppressors get to enjoy this world so much, how great must the reward for the righteous be in the World to Come!
If the prophecies about the destruction have come to pass, certainly the prophecies of redemption are also true!
***
As we sit tonight at the Seder table and consider the salvation of our ancestors, we are sometimes plagued by feelings of insecurity. Yes, we are a free people. But, has that freedom always been present? Have we Jews always been free of oppression? Why wasn’t the redemption from Egypt a final and complete liberation from all tzoris?
Perhaps, Rabbi Akiva – who really knew difficulty – is a proper role model for our doubts. Yes, life is not perfect. But, let’s take it all in perspective. The Egyptians, Roman and others have come and gone. But, we are still here. We may indeed have bumps in the road. But, Pesach reminds us that despite the bumps in the road, freedom reigns supreme. Despite the obstacles and challenges we will persevere.
Just as in the collective of the Jewish people, there is great liberation in our history and future, so it is with each individual. We may face challenges and obstacles in our lives. At times, these obstacles drive us to look at the entirety of our lives as flawed and lacking. Pesach reminds us that although the final redemption has yet to arrive and imperfections may remain, we have the power to be in a redemptive state all the time. Each of us can rid ourselves of the chametz within and bring freedom to our bodies and souls.
Next year in Jerusalem!