I’m sure you’ve found yourself in a “narrow space” now and then. I know I have. I’m reminded of this annually when the Jewish holiday of Passover arrives. But this year as I prepare for my seder, I find myself less focused on the places I feel “squeezed” and more focused on how to get out of them—to find personal redemption.
The Israelites crossing of the Red Sea, as described in Exodus, is often compared to traveling through a narrow birth canal. The Israelites are squeezed in many ways—forced into slavery, trapped on the shore of the Red Sea with the Pharoah’s army in close pursuit, and walking through the parted waters to freedom. On the shore of the Promised Land, they are reborn a nation.
What Personal Redemption do you Desire?
When we tell the story of the Israelites redemption during the seder, those in attendance are supposed to feel a sense of personal redemption as well. We are commanded to live the story through the telling.
To help encourage that feeling, at my seder, we make the story personal. Each person who attends this ritual meal talks about the personal redemption they desire. They might want freedom from lack, a bad job, an unfulfilling relationship, or a health challenge.
This year, however, I plan to focus the conversation on how to get out of the narrow place. How can each of us individually take action to move from slavery to freedom?
Find the Path to Your Redemption
While Jews around the world contemplate the meaning of freedom today, you can do so as well—no matter your spiritual or religious tradition. Redemption is a universal topic, and you can find it relevant to your life if you evaluate your current situation honestly.
The Passover seder typically includes four questions. I believe these four are just as important:
- Where do you feel squeezed, stuck in a tight place, or enslaved?
- What has caused that condition?
- What would freedom look like and feel like?
- What action can you take immediately to redeem or free yourself—to have the Red Sea part and allow you to walk through and create a new reality?
Your answers will help you get clear on how to find your personal redemption. The action you need to take will clear a path from slavery to freedom—and possibly to the rebirth you desire as well.
What is your tight place, and how will you extricate yourself from it? Tell me in a comment.
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So beautifully and perfectly put, Nina. I will never lose or abandon my Jewishness but since my grandmother and mother have passed from this earth I do find a piece missing. I am so thankful to have shared my heritage with them and the lessons I learned from them.
Mazel
Renee Michaes
I’m sorry for your loss, Renee. I have struggled to maintain my Jewish spiritual practices since my husband lost interest. My son, who is in Europe, is the only “really” Jewish member of my household now. Even my siblings and mother don’t practice. I know how hard it is to stay connected when you have to do it alone. Remember…there is community. Lean on your community or find one.