JIM COHEN
Staff Writer
Wednesday evening marked the beginning of the one week observance of Passover for Jews around the world. In honor of the holiday, observant Jews will spend time in temple and in the homes of family and friends to commemorate the liberation of the Hebrew people. It is a time to reflect a long and arduous 40-year journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The event marks a time in history when a group of people decided they had no one in the world to count on but themselves. The time marks an exodus led by a talented leader named Moses and his brother Aaron by his side. While he was a great leader, Moses recognized his limitations as a human being and acknowledged his poor speaking skills. Aaron was destined to be by his brother’s side and speak to the pharaoh for him because he was blessed with great vernacular.
We should not forget all that unleavened bread laying around called, matzo. matzo is a symbol for the Hebrews from when they had no time to gather yeast for their bread as they fled from the Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army. When the holiday is over, it’s not a bad idea to take leftovers of Matzo and fry it because it is a delightful meal to enjoy.
From the parting of the Red Sea to reaching Mt. Sinai, the event brought about the Ten Commandments, which were a set of moral laws and codes to be strictly followed. In order to follow them, Aaron was anointed the first High Priest (the very first Cohen) to look over and secure the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant; something Indiana Jones still hasn’t been able to find, by the way.
The exodus showed that you cannot let your courage and hope pass over in an era of uncertainty. The Hebrews lost their courage when Moses failed to come down from the mountain quickly. In response to their uncertainty, Aaron built them a golden calf to have something to hold onto. Unfortunately, this was against the Second Commandment. Oops!
The Passover showed that great leadership comes from those who wish to inspire what may seem impossible. When the Red Sea was full and the Hebrews thought they were trapped or were going to drown in the waters, Moses did the impossible by parting the sea and inspired his people to march ahead. President Kennedy told the world the United States would put a man on the moon in 10 years and everyone doubted him. The United States was able to do it in nine years instead.
The Hebrews journey to Israel proved that those who wish to be free from tyranny and oppression ultimately choose to be free. No matter how hard Moses fought to keep his people filled with hope for the future, he knew the only way they could make it was on their own. And they eventually did it. With a group of militiamen, the colonists of the United States proved that if you want something badly enough, you have to take the initiative to get what you want. And they eventually did it.
It is no coincidence Easter Sunday is during the same time as Passover. It is widely accepted the Last Supper was a seder (Hebrew for, “order”), which follows an order of prayer and food to commemorate the 10 Plagues leading to the Passover and Exodus. For Christians and many students at Pepperdine, this mark of history is a display for the roots of their religion.
Living in a time of increased fear and uncertainty of terrorism and job insecurity, the story of Passover is something we can all learn from. The story of Passover is about hope for the future. The story of Passover is about making a choice.
The story of Passover is about leadership in a time of crisis. It is about leadership that understands the only way we can march forward is if we find the best qualities within ourselves. It is a story that rejects the use of fear and the search of making a promised land become a reality.
As for the United States, one can only hope.
04-13-2006