Meir Soloveichik The Haggadah—A Political Classic Ep. 3: The Politics of Time
Apr 5, 2020
Discover the vital role of food in Jewish culture, especially during Passover, where matzah symbolizes freedom. Enjoy a whimsical anecdote about the quirky tradition of discarding chametz at a zoo. Delve into the connection between time and freedom, exploring themes of responsibility in Jewish thought. Learn how Abraham's journey introduced new concepts of linear time, shaping identity and moral values. Finally, reflect on the powerful act of eliminating chametz, symbolizing a confrontation with negativity and the alignment of actions with spiritual values.
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Matzah As The Symbol Of Liberty
- Judaism chooses matzah as the central political symbol of freedom rather than an abstract concept or visual icon.
- The Haggadah explicitly names the festival Chag HaMatzot, linking unleavened bread to liberty and rejecting typical Western symbolic choices.
Zoo Chametz Tossing Story
- New York magazine reported Orthodox Jews throwing chametz to zoo animals before Passover, creating security hassles.
- The story jokes about Rabbi Moshe Elephant and shows how seriously some communities take biur chametz.
Freedom Is Sanctifying Time
- Jewish freedom is tied to control over time: the first mitzvah in Egypt is establishing the calendar (HaChodesh Hazeh Lachem).
- Maimonides interprets 'to you' as giving the people (via sages/Israel) authority to shape when holidays fall.
