Every Generation, Every Day
One of the most familiar passages of the Haggadah, a quote from a Mishna reads, "in every generation one is required to see themselves as if they left Egypt".
Its most literal understanding is that our obligation to recognize that being a Jewish People today is a result of the miracle of the Exodus. As such the Exodus is an ongoing event and we are obligated to see it as such.
On a bit of a deeper level, Egypt is not just a physical land and a country that we were enslaved to. Egypt - in Hebrew Mitzrayim - difficult spaces, is something we encounter within the world around us and within ourselves. Egypt lives on and we are required to see ourselves empowered to leave it in every generation. Utilizing the teachings of the Torah, letting Hashem's embrace envelop us, we become empowered not to be enslaved to any one or any thing.
Let's go one step deeper. In the book of Tanya, "the written Torah" of Chabad philosophy, the Alter Rebbe, quotes the above Mishna and adds "in every generation, and every single day...". What is added by emphasizing the focus on every single day?
I'd like to suggest that there is a deep message of comfort and empowerment for those on the journey of liberating themselves from the deepest Egypt we may encounter within and without.
To leave Egypt one needs to recognize that they are in Egypt. You can't free yourself from something if you don't know you are trapped by it. We call this self awareness.
As we grow in life, we have those aha moments where the lights go on and something about our circumstances becomes clear. This doesn't (usually) happen in a vacuum. It's not a generational thing (although it is influenced by the generation), it's a daily thing.
If we don't get overwhelmed and frustrated by the journey and don't get off the train, and in the positive if we work each day just a little to get a bit closer to Hashem, a little bit more understanding of the self, we will discover the portal of liberation.
This is not easy, but it is comforting to know. If you've been on this journey, you know that those aha moments are powerful and encouraging.
This Pesach when you sit down to your Seder, recognize the liberations you've experienced this past year. Take a moment to see the where you have grown, and resolve to lean in to Hashem's embrace and journey forward.
May we merit total liberation from all things that exile us from within and without.
With blessings for a Happy and Kosher Pesach!
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman
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