Freedom to celebrate

Lolita Harper

Freedom from oppression. Freedom from poverty. Freedom from financial

constraints.

It is with these ubiquitous themes that area Jews celebrate the

most triumphant liberation of their heritage during the tradition of

Passover.

Regardless of religion, or lack of religion, the concept of

breaking free from restrictive shackles is prevalent. From historic

events such as the liberation of Iraq to the daily triumphs of

completing a research paper for a core college course, Newport-Mesans

are reminded of the labor of freedom.

At sundown Wednesday, Jewish families across the area and the

nation gathered to light candles, sing, pray and reflect on the

Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago.

As is customary, the first night of the eight-day observance, also

known as Erev Pesach, families gather within their homes to

commemorate the exodus of the Jewish slaves from Egypt during the

reign of Pharaoh Ramses II.

Whinnie Ross of Corona del Mar gathered generations of her family

in her home to pay homage to ancestors and celebrate the historical

freedom of the Jewish people from bondage.

“It is a very special occasion,” said Ross, who is an involved

member at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach.

Adults and children gathered around for the first Seder meal of

the holiday, and listened intently to the ceremonial blessings. The

traditional meal omits breads and pasta-type foods from their diets

-- a sacrifice that honors their ancestors who were unable to take

flour and yeast for bread as they fled from Egypt.

In the Book of Exodus, Moses, a simple Jewish shepherd, was

instructed by God to go to the pharaoh and demand the freedom of the

Israelites. The plea to “let my people go,” was ignored, and Moses

warned Pharaoh that God would unleash his wrath on the people of

Egypt if the Israelites were not freed.

The warning fell on deaf ears.

Israelites were told to mark their homes with lamb’s blood, so the

series of 10 plagues would “pass over” them. As the Bible reports,

they were spared from blood, frogs, lice, flies, blight, boils, hail,

locusts, darkness and the slaying of the first born.

It is this salvation that is celebrated during the first two days

of Passover with the traditional Seder meals and is the focal point

of the celebration, religious leaders said. The next four days of

Passover are what are known as intermediate days, and the final two

represent when the Israelites left Egypt.

They crossed the sea of reeds and headed toward Sinai, said Rabbi

Reuven Mintz of Chabad in Newport Beach. It is then the Jews became a

people and in the promised land that God gave them the Torah.

* LOLITA HARPER writes columns Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and

covers culture and the arts. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or

by e-mail at [email protected].