Right now, all over the world Jews are celebrating the festival of Passover (or Pesach). Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, in order to make it really symbolic and to drum that message of freedom home, there are seemingly hundreds of rituals that accompany the Passover festival. It is believed that following these, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that our ancestors gained.
I am not incredibly religious (and by that I mean I am not at all religious) but I do come from a traditional family and so every year we get together to celebrate the Jewish festivals in the traditional way – meaning we celebrate mostly by eating.
But Passover, being so steeped in ritual, means that on this festival we go just a little further. We sit around the table for the first two nights of the eight day festival (last night there were 23 of us) and we read from a book called The Haggadah from which we retell the story of the Israelites exodus from Egypt. We eat symbolic food matzah which us unleavened bread because the Israelites did not have time for their bread to rise before they left Egypt, boiled egg which is the only natural food that gets harder the longer you cook it (like the Jews who got stronger when they were persecuted) and we dip our vegetables in salt water (that symbolizes the tears we shed in slavery). We also eat really yummy food that symbolises how much we love to eat (that may be my own interpretation).
Our religious teachers urge us to think about our exodus from Egypt and to celebrate our freedom from persecution. But at last night’s Seder (the traditional Passover meal) one of my groovier family members suggested that rather than just thinking about our forefathers leaving Egypt we should think about what we personally wish to be emancipated from this year, what we are trying to break free from.
I laughed nervously at the idea (I thought he was going to make me confess right there and then) but since last night I have been thinking about it a lot. What do I want to break free from? How can I bring the lessons of my ancestors into my own life without any religious implication which I would immediately dismiss.
Sadly I could not come up with a simple answer. Rather, by mistake, I came up with a simple list of things I’d like to release myself from
- Sugar (or maybe not sugar as such but my preoccupation with it)
- Negative thought patterns that keep me on high alert whenever I get an email or a text. I would love not to always believe it’s going to be something bad
- My obsession with food. And yes, it is an obsession
- Hate reading. I can’t help it, I know how bad it is for me but I still continue to read the opinions and updates of people that make me feel awful.
- The past. I think I have been pretty excellent at freeing myself from the past but sometimes I trip over huge memories I have swept under the carpet and they pull me down
- Anxiety about almost everything
- Worrying about what other people think of me.
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Pretty heavy list – the kind of insights that makes you think religion might be the only answer, but to be honest I ‘m happier with religion providing the questions. The answers I’m going to start working on myself.
What are the things that you would like to free yourself from?
Beautiful image from Daily Walks – check out their website here
Great list Lana,
I hlighly recommend the giving up hate reading, and freeing yourself from negative thinking and all the other things that go with anxiety – I worked hard to give those up late last year, and I haven’t looked back since…
Being a slave to the things that make us feel bad is one of the worst things we can do with our lives… and, no, you don’t need “religion” in your life to give up all those bad things… I should know! 😉
I’m trying – but as you well know, it’s easier said than done
Good on you for getting there !
Chag Sameach! Hope your seder was as enjoyable as ours. So much food and wine and good company. The highlight…my chocolate matzas 🙂
It was great – getting ready for ANOTHER one tonight!
I think that is a rather excellent addition to Seder night (I might suggest it next year). They are all pretty substantial things on the list love, maybe tackle one thing at a time? I’d suggest the hate reading being the first to go.
I too, need to let go of the past. I can’t get it back so I need to grieve and let go. Easier said than done of course but I might try giving it a bit more of a concerted effort.
Ps I’m impressed 23 for dinner!
Chag Sameach to you and yours Danya. Let go of the past – we can do it together xx
Anxiety. Also anxiety and anxiety. And don’t forget anxiety.
I find the Jewish religion one of the most interesting. In fact I am interested a lot in the traditions and history of most religions even though I am not religious myself!
As for freeing ourselves, great list. I think a lot of it can be summed up by having confidence in ourselves and simply believing and trusting our inner voices. 🙂
I would suggest you try the last thing on your list first. You’ll be surprised how much easier the rest are to deal with (maybe with the exception of the sugar addiction 🙂 ) once you stop worrying what people think of you.
Thanks for teaching me about the Jewish religion! I am fiercely non-religious but I find it fascinating.
Great list Lana – but now you’ve got me thinking about my own list. Damn. Sugar’s at the top of mine, too – particularly that honey swiss roll made by Colesworths. I’m addicted. So gotta emancipate myself from that one first.
Hi Lana. I find your article very thought provoking… yes, what are we trying to break free from? I had a friend write to me today about copyrighting artwork and photos on the Internet. I sent her a link on how to find one’s own images and while doing so, found my image being used on your website. While I’m flattered, I can’t help but wish that you had asked permission to use it. I know this article was written last April but if you plan on keeping this post up with my image, I’d like to ask you to please reference my website: http://DailyWalks.com Thank you. – Diane Varner
Thank you and my huge apologies Diane – I have credited you for the image now!
hi Lana,
Firstly, Chag Sameach! I just wanted to let you know how much i enjoy your posts. Even your TM post (in fact I’ve been wondering about buying one for a while and that’s my thoughts exact!!)anyway, I married into a Jewish family and I just love the ritual of the religious, despite my atheism. Keep writing Lana and I’ll keep reading!!
Thanks so much for such a lovely comment – and Chag Sameach to you xxx