April 4, 2025
I have always been struck by Michael Walzer’s words in our prayerbook, Mishkan Tefilah, which I often read before we sing the Mi Chamocha.
Standing on the parted shores of history
we still believe what we were taught
before ever we stood on Sinai’s foot;
that wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt
that there is a better place, a promised land;
that the winding way to that promise
passes through the wilderness.
That there is no way to get from here to there
except by joining hands, marching
together.
Walzer is a leading American political thinker who has written about political theory and moral philosophy. This text is excerpted from his book entitled Exodus and Revolution in which he reflects on the real power of the Exodus story.
These words can be challenging as we read the idea that “wherever we go, it is eternally Egypt.” The notion of being stuck in a narrow place, suffering hardships, and an eternal metaphorical darkness might lead us to moments of despair. The next line reminds us that there is a better place, a promised land, and the road to get there may be winding. As we read these words, we reflect on our journey. Out on the horizon lies a vision of a better tomorrow. Jewish tradition teaches us about creating a world as it ought to be. Our initial reaction when we think about such a notion is that this describes the work of tikkun olam. That is, of course, true. However, might it also be possible that such words invite us to think about our personal day-to-day journeys? Surely, we all face challenging times, whether we encounter illness, obstacles along the way, or people who have harmed us. These words echo the ebb and flow of life, reminding us that we travel an unknown path from darkness to light, back to darkness, and—God willing—to light once more.
Walzer teaches us that there is only one path to get from the darkness we are in, to the light we hope to find. He notes that it is not the path; but the people with whom we travel that path. Whether the person with whom we travel is a trusted friend, a family member, a teacher, therapist, coach, or rabbi, we need people to share the journey with us.
I am reminded of a story in which a person is lost wandering in a forest. She doesn’t know the way out. Finally, she encounters someone else, and says, “I am looking for the way out of the forest, I have walked in all these directions and have not yet found the way out. Do you know how to get out?” Her new travel partner replied, “Well, I have walked in all these directions, and they were not the way. Let’s walk together and we will find the way out with each other.”
The story teaches us that, to find the way out, we have to travel with a trusted friend. This is the story of Passover. It is the message of our People, that we marched out of Egypt together, side-by-side. As I reflect on our world today, I am still reminded of the power of the Jewish people to come together to support one another in these continued times of crisis. Passover is the story of our people; it unites us in hope knowing that we build a better world and strengthen our people by journeying together.
As we do the final preparations for our seder gatherings this week, let us remember the sacred power of partnership and peoplehood.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rick Kellner