What is Passover?
Passover, or Pesach, marks the Exodus of the nation of Israel from the land of Egypt. This Exodus marked the end of Israelite enslavement to Pharaoh. In Hebrew, the land of Egypt is called Mitzrayim, which literally means “the narrow places.” Metaphorically speaking, Passover is an opportunity to liberate oneself from whatever is constricting or enslaving you. The Exodus was also marked by several miracles, including the parting of the Sea of Reeds. The imagery of a nation emerging through a watery corridor is sometimes likened to the birth process and the birth and maturation process is woven through the tale as well.
Why are we going so far away, and to the desert, to celebrate Passover?
In the Passover story, we learn that there was a holiday that existed prior to Exodus and that people observed this Passover precursor by going out to the land to make offerings. Following the escape from Mitzrayim, the Israelites “wandered” in the desert for 40 years, received the ten commandments, and established the tribes of Israel (among many other misadventures). We are travelling far from home and into unfamiliar surroundings to experience the original holiday that occurred at this time, get away from the mundane “enslavement” to our everyday lives and habits and to see whether observing Passover in the wilderness deepens our appreciation for and understanding of the teachings around Exodus. We also travel far south to increase the chances of having good weather as early in the spring as Passover falls.
