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The confluence of Passover and the pandemic

Steve McCloskey, President

Back in February of last year, who would have contemplated that we would commemorate two consecutive Passover seders “virtually,” indelibly, yet ironically, linked by our own plague, the novel coronavirus? This somber turn of events does prove the adage that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction.

As NJC prepares to observe Passover “virtually” on Sunday, March 28 at 5 p.m., we should ponder what lessons we might glean from the travails and triumphs our ancient forebears experienced some three-and-a-half millennia ago.

The ancient Israelites quickly learned that liberation does not necessarily equate with freedom. Although Moses led them out of the bondage they had endured in Egypt, the quest for freedom required much more of them — that they work together to forge a new nation, predicated upon justice, compassion and humility.

In our time, although the COVID-19 vaccines may liberate us from the worst of the scourge that is the coronavirus — that is, serious illness, hospitalization and death — freedom from the global pandemic will require that we achieve herd immunity. We can only accomplish this together by overcoming vaccine hesitancy, continuing to mask up, maintaining our physical distance and adhering to rigorous hygiene protocols.

While our eventual emergence from the pandemic is ineluctable, its precise terminus depends on our vigilance in complying with the CDC guidelines as we wait for our shots.

Passover is also a time for remembrance. The Israelites were implored to recall the bitterness of their bondage when they were strangers in the land of Egypt, to gird themselves against the evil inclination to afflict the “others” in their new land with the same treatment at their hand.

This marginalization and sometimes demonization of the “other” in our midst persists to this day. Too often, the unfamiliar becomes what we fear. Getting to know someone who is not like you expands one’s circle of humanity.

Remembrance requires education and reiteration. We must constantly remind ourselves that human aspirations are wellnigh universal — to be part of a loving and supportive family, be able to provide for that family and be part of something bigger than ourselves to improve our collective lot in life.

Throughout the pandemic, our resilience has been manifest, our hope fervent. It is our resolve that has wavered, if not waned, at times.

The explanation for this seems rather apparent. As the pall of the pandemic seeped into the very essence of our being, both literally and figuratively, the frightening unknown loomed over us and before us; it still does. It is as if we are the Israelites of millennia past, venturing out from the throes of captivity into a world full of potential pitfalls and even outright danger.

Nonetheless, we can always return to what we know in our hearts is right, that the true path forward lies in trust in our traditions and institutions as well as scrupulous devotion to the truth, amid the fog of misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy mongering.

As we gather “virtually” again this year to observe Passover, let us be reminded that our journey toward redemption is always difficult, requiring us to do hard things, such as joining forces with others to strive for a more equitable society, caring for the most vulnerable among us, treating all whom we encounter with the dignity and respect we expect from them and remembering to always lead with grace and lovingkindness.

We can ponder all this, knowing that gratitude for the strength of our community can see us through this.

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