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Remember Coles at Sandy Bay for all your Kosher goodies!
10
How a Reform Jew Keeps Passover
The following is a sermon by Rabbi Barry H Block from Temple Beth-El in San Antonio, a Reform synagogue organized in
1874 and a founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Last year, late on the Saturday evening during Passover, Toni and I went to enjoy a quiet dinner at Karam’s,
our favorite Mexican restaurant. Deep on the west side, that establishment is usually not where one runs into
members of our congregation, but that night, as we walked in the door, we saw a couple who belong to the
Temple. When we went to greet them, the wife told us that, upon first seeing us, she had whispered to her
husband: “Oh no, there’s the rabbi. He’s going to see that we’re eating here during Passover.” Her husband
pointed out that we were probably not inspecting all the restaurants in town, just to see who wasn’t keeping
Passover strictly. Indeed, he said, “They must be here to eat, too.” Not being Jewish, the husband wasn’t
entirely sure if eating there was right or wrong. If it were not permitted, though, this rabbi would certainly be in
no position to impose sanctions on his wife.
The dietary rules of Passover are complicated. Some Jews eat rice, corn and legumes during Passover;
others consider eating those foods to be gross violations of Jewish law; and still others couldn’t identify a
legume if it hit them in the face. How, then, should a Reform Jew keep Passover?
Tonight, we observe Shabbat Hagadol, the “Great Sabbath” before Passover. In days of old, rabbis gave
sermons only twice a year, and this Shabbat was one of those two times. The theme of this sermon was
always the laws of Passover. Tonight, I will not break tradition, but will offer seven ways that every Reform
Jew should keep Passover.
1. A Reform Jew should attend a Seder.
Studies of our American Jewish community indicate that more Jews attend Seder than any other Jewish
observance, even Yom Kippur services. And yet, too often, I hear people joke about the content and quality
of their Passover Seder. Some express pride in how much of the service they skip. Others have no service
whatsoever. Their Seder is no more than a family gathering to eat matzah ball soup.
Many, though, are quite serious in the way the conduct the Seder. They spend weeks preparing, not only the
food, but also the way in which they will conduct the service. Yes, they may skip some pages that seem less
relevant. They may read almost everything in English. They may significantly shorten the Seder to
accommodate children. Nevertheless, they are careful to communicate the message of Passover to all who
are present, to share our Jewish traditions with the next generation, and to make this Jewish experience a
meaningful part of home life. May each of us lead or attend such a Seder this year.
2. A Reform Jew should observe the holy days of Passover.
For Reform Jews, Passover lasts seven days. The first day of the festival, and the last day, are holy days in
Judaism. Just like every Shabbat, and much like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews traditionally do not
work or go to school on these days, but rest, study and attend worship services. Certainly, most Reform Jews
will not take those days off from work. However, we all should make these days holy.
Whatever our individual practice, we must not scoff at those Jews who do not go to work or school on those
days. The first and last days of Passover are legitimate Jewish holidays. For Conservative and Orthodox
Jews, who observe eight days of Passover, the first two days and the last two days are holy. We must
support our fellow Jews who observe the holy days scrupulously, especially if they are our co-workers or
classmates. Let us not be among those who accuse them of “making up holidays to get out of work.” May
we instead join them in sanctifying our holy days at the beginning and end of our seven-day festival.
3. A Reform Jew should be rededicated to the Jewish people during Passover.
On Passover, we are linked to Jews everywhere, as we sit down to Seder tables throughout the world on the
same night. We recall that we have been slaves in many times and places since Egypt. We are grateful for
God’s liberating power. We stand in awe of the fortitude of fellow Jews who have worked to set our people
free from persecution throughout the ages. We acknowledge that we are the beneficiaries of the sacrifices
made by our brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel. We rejoice in the freedom of our people.
During Passover, let us commit ourselves to labor on behalf of our global Jewish family. May we ever be
God’s partners in assuring the freedom of our people everywhere. Let us make one more charitable
donation, one more act of tzedakah during Passover, to assure the welfare of our Jewish people throughout
the world. Let us commit the words of our mouths and the work of our hands to the welfare of the people of
Israel and the Land of Israel.
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