Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

The roots of the Pesach Seder originate in Parshat Vaera. Four verbs of liberation are stated in succesion: " Hotzaiti, Hitzalti, Ga'alti, Lakachti - I (God) will free you,  rescue you, redeem you, take you." The combination of these four terms are understood as different forms of physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional forms of freedom. These four terms form the basis of consuming four cups of wine or grape juice at the Seder. The addition of a fifth cup or a cup designated for Elijah the Prophet is based on a fifth verb, "Havaiti - I will bring". In sum, the first four verbs deal with coming forth from slavery in different ways. The fifth verb deals with coming into freedom, represented by entry into Israel.

At this time of year, we may think of these verbs as our prayer for exiting from the enslavement of Covid - physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We yearn for the day when we fully enter a renewed time of existence post Covid.

While the four/five Biblical terms form the basis of the Pesach Seder, they are meaningful for any time we yearn to break from the shackles of personal slavery on route to personal freedom.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison