Here are some thoughts on Passover this year.
I had a good time at our family Seder, and then again had fun the second night with friends. As usual, I ate too much matzah and brisket. I enjoyed telling the story of passover to my kids. I was proud that my daughter could say the 4 questions in Hebrew. I had fun flipping plastic frogs across the table.
I really hope that my kids hold times like these in their memories as they grow up, and think warm thoughts when they reflect back on them.
But…
There is a cognitive dissonance that I feel while going through the Seder. I do not believe that there is a God, and therefore I don’t believe that he chose the Jewish people, he didn’t send plagues on Egypt and he didn’t split the Red Sea. These are all myths. Sure, slavery is bad, and people should be freed from oppression. That is a good lesson. But it bugs me that none of this stuff is true. Part of me realizes that it doesn’t have to be true, but there is a struggle for me.
A while back, I decided that I can participate in Jewish rituals and celebrations by substituting “the Jewish tradition” in place of “God.” I have found that this works most of the time for me. But I feel like I’m selling out at times. At other times, I wish I wouldn’t worry so much about this stuff and just go with the flow.
Anyway…Happy Passover!
