PERSONALIZATION “‘In every generation, we are obligated to see ourselves as if we left Egypt.’ How do we actualize this outlook? This is not a passive perspective, but an active one. The redemption only started when we left Egypt. It continues and advances in each generation, until the final Redemption.” — Olat Reiyah by Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook, translation from HaMizrachi Pesach Edition, 2020, p. 44 “According to Rav Kook, each and every person must feel that he or she has a contribution to make to the overall perfection of the nation of Israel and of the world. Each individual has a unique part to play in his or her own generation. This, says Rav Kook, is the meaning of the phrase: “In every generation we are responsible for seeing ourselves as if we had left Egypt.” Egypt was only the beginning of the process; God’s “outstretched hand” continues to guide us. That is why each and every one of us is responsible for finding our place and bringing the Redemption closer each day.” — The Night that Unites by Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider, pp. 171–172 l TEACHING TIP: Novelty is a wonderful way to engage learners. Yet the seder is steeped in tradition, with beloved rituals and routines revisited each year. Families can balance between tradition and novelty by adding something new alongside the traditional. The Soffer family uses celery traditionally, but each year unveils a surprise alternate–last year French fries.
IMAGERY “It is mandatory that one experience the exodus personally. This is not as difficult as it sounds. Our
imaginations are very creative, as evidenced by how vividly we can dream in our sleep, and how vividly we can daydream when we are awake. Our ingenious minds can create three-dimensional scenes in rich color, and we can see ourselves fully participating in these scenes. Being familiar with the story of the exodus one should meditate and create the various scenes in one’s mind. One should see oneself in the straw pits, clearing the straw, mixing it with mud, and baking it into bricks in the tropical sun. One should hear the scolding of the Egyptian taskmasters, and feel the lashes of their whips on one’s back. One should then visualize the various plagues and the panic of the Egyptians. Then one should see oneself as part of the throng leaving Egypt, following Moses into the barren desert. Finally one should be standing at the edge of the Red Sea, and hear the thunder of Pharaoh’s chariots approaching, feel the terror of being trapped, and then see the glory of God as the waters of the Red Sea divide. Exercising one’s imagination in this way is mandatory. The sweet taste of liberty cannot be appreciated as long as oppression is only an abstraction. The acceptance of the omnipotence of God is incomplete unless one has seen the many miracles with one’s own eyes.”
— From Bondage to Freedom by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D.
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AZRIELI GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JEWISH EDUCATION • HAGGADAH COMPANION
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