Finding Our Song. Some thoughts before our first seder in these difficult times.

Dear Hevre/community,

I know that I just posted something the day before yesterday in preparation for Passover/Pesach, However, given the unique situation this year, I just felt the need to post once more before the first seder.

As we know from the Passover story, the Israelites were freed from slavery after the tenth plague, the killing of the first born, having put lamb’s blood on their doorposts so the angel of death would “pass over” them.

After leaving slavery, everything seemed fine until they reached the shore of the Sea of Reeds (previously mistranslated as the Red Sea), when they suddenly heard Pharaoh’s army approaching. 

The Israelites were in fear at that moment. They didn’t know what to do. Even Moses was confounded, as he prayed to God to save them. A pillar of fire was the only thing standing between the people and Pharaoh’s army, with the sea on the other side.

That moment was the perfect example of a liminal moment. One definition of liminal is “occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.”  The place where they stood at that moment was on the both sides of a threshold. They were both enslaved and free….and neither. That is where we are today.

Today we are stuck in the middle, with parts of us also on both sides of the threshold. Part of us is focused on when things were “normal” just a month ago. That part longs for that “normalcy” again. Yet, another part of us is longing for the future. As with the Israelites at the sea, we have no idea what that future will be. We know it will not be what was before, but exactly how is anyone’s guess.

As we stand in this liminal space, what is it that gives us the strength to continue? What prevents us from giving up, since we don’t have the option to go back to the past? I fully realize that some of us might not have that strength. I know that there are plenty of times when I don’t. Every day there are times when I am simply afraid or depressed because of the reality of the present and the uncertainty of the future. Yet, something is keeping me, and us, going most of the time, enabling us to live in the present.

As anyone who knows me is aware, music is a passion in my life. For me, that is one of the things that helps keep me going. We know from the Torah text that as the people eventually crossed the Sea of Reads they sang a song to God, as Miriam and the women.

But what if the song started before they crossed? What if Miriam picked up her tambourine and started singing in that liminal moment, even as they were filled with fear! Perhaps she felt that it was the only choice she had at that moment.  And what if it was Miriam's song which signaled to God that it was time to split the sea?

In the psalms of Hallel/Praise, which is part of the Passover seder, we sing Psalm 118. In verse 14 of the psalm we read Ozi v'zimrat yah, vay'hi li li'shuah. This is usually translated as something like “My strength, my song is the Source, who is for me salvation.” In the ancient rabbinic tradition of suggesting an alternate translation as commentary, I would like to suggest that we read it as “My strength, and the song of God, that will be my salvation.”

I imagine that the strength of Miriam, followed by the women, and eventually the rest of the Israelites, created a song which was indeed the song of God. That song became the song of their salvation. It was their song that enabled them to leave that uncertain and liminal place. The song enabled them to be saved so they could begin their journey into the unknown The only thing they did know about that unknown was that they would no longer be slaves.

And so, as we exist here in this liminal space of the present, as well as in the past and the future, let us find our strength and create our song. Each person’s song is different. The song is simply a metaphor for that which helps us find strength and which enables us to connect with the Divine. That means it is what connects us to family, friends, our community, and the world in a very real way.

No one knows your song except you. Maybe you don’t even know it yet. After all, Miriam probably didn’t know hers a moment before she opened her mouth to sing. But hers was there. And so is yours.

As we celebrate, or observe, Passover let us search not simply for the Afikomen, but for our song. That will keep us present and connected even in the midst of our physical isolation. As I wrote earlier in the week, it will prevent us from turning that physical isolation into spiritual isolation. Right now, that is what salvation looks like.

When you find your song, be sure to share it with others, so that it will join with their songs. In that way, together we can find salvation and serenity, even if we might be feeling imprisoned and uncertain. After all, that’s what Miriam did, so why can’t we?
Below you will hopefully be able to access an audio file (it may look like a blank video with sound) of Rabbi Shefa Gold's setting for Ozi v'zimrat Yah, the verse from Psalm 118 mentioned above. I hope you enjoy.

I wish you all a meaningful and joyous Passover. Next year together with our family and friends!

Rabbi Steve