Tonight many Jews around the world will participate in the observance Passover. They will take part in a first night seder, or service, that commemorates the Israelites freedom from slavery in Egypt. (The word “seder” actually means “order”; the service has a specific order.)
I see the seder—actually the whole week of Passover—as a time to look at our lives and to see how we can participate in Tikkun Olam, healing the world. We do that my first looking at how we can heal ourselves; then we look at how we can heal our immediate lives. From there, we can look beyond ourselves to how we can heal the lives of others, the planet, etc. We do that by asking provocative questions and searching inside our selves for deep and honest answers.
Usually during the seder we ask only four questions…well maybe a few more. The questions typically revolve around the symbolic items on the seder plate. The first symbol of Passover is matzah. We are told that the Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. As I wrote in an article:
We are also told that the Egyptians fed the Jews matzah. So, matzah represents two things: the food of slavery and the food the Israelites ate in their haste to leave Egypt.
On a more subtle level, leavened bread symbolizes “puffed up” attitudes or egos — a person’s own inflation with himself or herself. The rabbis teach that a central concept of freedom is “pulling back from the ego.” This involves getting back to basics, or thinking about what really matters. When you are a slave, you have a different perspective on what really matters. You do without a lot, including basic freedoms.
As I look at the matzah, I ask myself: What really matters to me, and how have I lost sight of this? How can I reprioritize so that what really matters comes to the forefront of my life? How can I get back to basics? What luxuries can I do without? Have I placed too much importance on certain material things, and how can I change that perspective? How does my ego keep you enslaved?
Here are a few of my personal answers:
What really matters to me, and how have I lost sight of this?
My family and fulfilling my soul’s purpose, which I feel is to help others through my writing. I lose sight of this daily by getting caught up in aspects of my work that take up time and energy and leave me with a lack of both for my family and for the projects I want to pursue that would allow me to meld work and service.
How can I reprioritize so that what really matters comes to the forefront of my life?
I can always put family first. I can make sure that I prioritize family both on my calendar and with my time and energy, making sure that I always leave enough of both for them.
I can also reschedule my days so that I have time each day or each week when I devote myself to projects that fulfill my soul’s purpose. I can make this sacred time when I don’t let other work get in the way. (I won’t answer the phone, schedule calls with clients, etc.)
How can I get back to basics?
I don’t have many luxuries in my life or extras. For me this means spending time meditating each day and exercising. The basics represent self care.
It also means getting beyond the stuff I must do for work and getting back to the real work: writing.
What luxuries can I do without?
My family and I don’t have too many luxuries. We eat out a bit. I could cut down there. I buy a few too many books; I don’t have to do that. I struggle with this question.
Have I placed too much importance on certain material things, and how can I change that perspective?
I probably place too much importance on some things I simply enjoy, like jewelry and clothing. I place too much emphasis on how my home and property look. I’m concerned about what people think when they visit.
I could definitely change my perspective about this, but not seeing my where I live or what I wear as a reflection on me. I do currently see it as that.
I also see my accomplishments—or lack thereof—as a reflection on myself. I could let that go as well and simply be okay with what I do and have done. I could stop striving quite so hard to reach goals for the sake of what others think and simply do it for myself and out of a desire to fulfill my soul’s purpose or to feel good within myself. I could simply focus on being of service.
How does my ego keep me enslaved?
In many of the ways I’ve just mentioned…by making me concerned about what others think. By causing me to believe that it matters what I’ve accomplished, what my home looks like, what I’m wearing, if I’ve what type of car I drive, etc.
My ego also enslaves me by telling me I’m not good enough, haven’t done enough, haven’t become enough.
How could I break out of jail?
Give myself permission to just be…and to be okay with who I am, where I am, what I’ve done.
I could reach out to those less fortunate than myself.
I could meditate and get centered and connect to something greater than myself; then I’d know I am fine the way I am.
Now you try this exercise. It’s a good one for the first night of Passover.
