Egalitarian

The story of passover includes discussions of slavery and oppression. While we would love for this to be only a discussion of the past, these topics are still part of our lives today.

When we talk about being delivered from Egypt, we use the word Mitzrayim, which has been translated as a narrow place.

What are the narrow places we know from our own life experience? Are we still in a narrow place and longing for deliverance?

No topic of conversation is forbidden at the seder table.

As we begin to tell our story, we start by lifting matzah and opening our doors in invitation. We call all those in need to join our Seder meal. As we speak these words, we commit ourselves to the inclusion of those who are excluded, to feeding those who are hungry, and to fighting for those who seek justice.

While a volunteer opens the front door, one person holds up the middle matzah as we recite out loud:

This is the bread of affliction

Which our ancestors ate in the land of Mitzrayim.

All who are hungry, let them enter and eat.

All who are in need, let them come celebrate Passover with us.

Now we are here. Next year in the world to come.

Now we live in an unjust world. Next year all people will be free.

Today, we close one chapter of our lives and begin another. 

Every life of accomplishment contains many such passages 

And our tradition marks these transitions with ritual and prayer. 

When students complete a book of the Talmud 

They often linger and celebrate the fulfillment of their efforts 

In a lifetime filled with many chapters and completions. 

Like them, we linger and celebrate all we received in this house 

As we close one chapter of our lives and begin another. 

We remember with gratitude the many blessings 

We enjoyed under the shelter of this roof. 

In this home, we built a haven from the outside world 

Its walls protected us from the elements 

Its light drove away the darkness that crouched at night 

Its warm.th nurtured our love and gave us proof against the cold. 

We remember with gratitude these many blessings. 

We celebrate with joy the family we built upon this foundation. 

Into this home, we poured our dreams and efforts 

We shared our love and filled these rooms with youthful laughter 

And an argument or two along the way. 

We saw our children's feet slowly gain their footing 

As they learned, all too quickly, to call another place their home. 

Across these floors we walked and ran and danced in equal measure 

We celebrate with joy the family we built upon this foundation. 

We honor with affection all those who crossed this threshold with us

From the time we first turned the key in the lock until today 

Through these doors we brought our children 

And welcomed our friends and family. 

With those who crossed this doorway 

We celebrated our triumphs and joys and shared our sorrows and fears.

With them, we marked the holidays and the milestones of our lives 

They helped make this house our home. 

We honor with affection all those who crossed this threshold with us. 

Today, we close one chapter of our lives and begin another. 

May it be your will, Adonai our God, that just as you have helped us 

Complete the chapter inscribed in walls, foundation and gates of this home 

That you will help us to begin a new chapter in a new home. 

When Jacob journeyed from Gilead, the angels of God encountered him. 

When he saw them,Jacob said: "This is God's camp." 

By leaving one home and making another we know do not leave God. 

As we begin a new chapter of our lives, 

We pray that our new home will provide us with the all the fulfillment 

We enjoyed under the shelter of this roof and upon this foundation. 

Cain Y'ehi Ratzon

All 

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, shehecheyanu v'kyamanu v'higianu lazman hazeh. 

Blessed are you, O God, sovereign of the universe, for granting us life, for sustaining us, and for bringing to this time. 

—

Originally published in New Rituals for New Life Stages, edited by Rabbi Richard Address of Jewish Sacred Aging

Peace in the home is an important Jewish value. Whether it’s helping family members resolve conflicts or mediating a dispute between friends or colleagues, promoting peace requires patience, understanding, and empathy.

Do something today that helps make your home feel more peaceful. Add in a new plant. Play calm music. Commit to an evening without yelling at the kids. Tell your roommate how special they are. Clean up your dinner dishes. Even a small act can help your life feel more peaceful.

Like any ritual, you don’t need to wait for the next holiday or major lifecycle event to recite the shehecheyanu. You can bring this blessing into your everyday life, by transforming ordinary moments into milestones. 

When we bring intention to something and give it our full attention, we elevate the mundane into a ritual that’s worthy of a shehecheyanu blessing. By taking an active role in ritual and creating personally meaningful practices, we can better care for ourselves and each other in difficult times. 

Connecting with our senses helps us notice the amazing all around us. Here are some ideas to engage your senses and discover opportunities to say the shehecheyanu. 

• Sight: noticing the first buds on the trees or the leaves changing color; seeing beautiful art
• Sound: hearing a favorite song by happenstance; noticing the ice cream truck jingle for the first time that summer
• Taste: tasting a new fruit or vegetable; enjoying a food you eat on special occasions 
• Touch: embracing a loved one after a long time apart; holding a family heirloom; swimming in the ocean
• Smell: catching a whiff of a loved one’s perfume or scent; smelling the fragrant blossoms of lilacs, roses or peonies 

Using a journal or the space below, reflect on the milestone(s) you wish to celebrate by saying the shehecheyanu. What are you grateful for in this exact moment, today, in this wondrous life you are blessed to live?