Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

In preparation for Pesach, three statements from the Haggadah come to mind, all beginning with the expression "Each and Every."

"V'Chol Ha'Marbeh L'Saper Bi'Yetziat Mitzrayim Harei Zeh Meshubach - Each and every person who increases the telling of the Exodus from Egypt is considered praiseworthy." The Haggadah is not a Siddur. It is not meant to be davened. Our challenge is to talk about and raise lively discussion on the meanings of slavery and freedom from the past to the present. It is no accident that the following passage describes a group of Sages who spent all night until sunrise discussing the Exodus from Egypt.

"B'Chol Dor Va'Dor Chayav Adam Lirot Et Atzmo K'eelu Hoo Yatza MiMitzrayim - In each and every generation, one must regard  oneself as having left from Egypt." The Haggadah must be made current and relevant. What are the slaveries and  freedoms in our generation? What must we do to experience our own Exodus from personal oppression? 

"B'Chol Dor Va'Dor Ohmdim Aleinu L'Chalotainu - In each and every generation, enemies rise up against us seeking to destroy us." Who and/or what are our enemies today? Are they physical? spiritual? Are they obvious? Are they subtle? Do they attack us with guns? with propaganda? What are we doing as individuals and as communities to define and confront those enemy forces?

These are three statements in the Haggadah which begin with "each and every." I encourage each and everyone of us to rise to the challenges raised in the Hagggadah.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Kasher V'Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison