Weekly Torah Portion

My childhood memories from this time period are always filled with anticipation, excitement, and glee. I relished every single part of the Pesach season. The hustle and bustle of everyone getting ready and cleaning. My mother and grandmother in the kitchen creating the most tantalizing aromas that are still so clear in my mind. My father burning all the chametz and leading the Seder. The memories are all rich and vivid.

While these memories are so precious, if that would be the entire extent of my Pesach experience, I would be missing out on the deep potential of the holiday. Judaism teaches us that the Jewish calendar is not merely a commemoration of what happened in the past but it is actually experiential. The holidays are there to transform us into the best versions of ourselves. Every time of year has a very specific energy and when we tap into it and harness its power, we can catapult our spiritual growth exponentially further.

The energy of Pesach is freedom. Back in the day we were freed from the Egyptians and God split the sea for us. Today we are commanded to embody that same energy of being freed from slavery and yet we are not physically trapped. So how could we possibly relive this experience of freeing ourselves from bondage if we are not in that same physical condition?

We all have things in our lives that we are enslaved by, whether it is our phones, toxic relationships, our vices or even our jobs. There are things in life that we answer to, despite our inner selves telling us that it is not the right thing to do.

Do I need to check my phone every time I feel it buzzing? Must I engage in a relationship with a person that violates my boundaries? What can I let go of that will make me truly free and to only answer to the highest version of myself?

When I am in a position where I can choose the path that will lead me to my best self without the metaphorical chains that bind me, then I am truly free.

This is the energy of Pesach. During this time more than any other time of year, we are empowered to let go of the things that trap and enslave us. We get to choose the things that will bring us joy, fulfillment, and closeness to our Creator. When we tap into this energy, then we are truly allowing Passover to transform us.

Although my childhood memories are dear to me, I realize that every year I need to grow and evolve and keep adding to my collection of precious memories. Wishing everyone a beautiful transformative Pesach.