Pesach - A Nation of Individuals

Passover marks the birth of the Jewish nation.  Since then, we Jews are a singular united entity; not just a collection of individuals.

The purpose of the exodus was the receiving of the torah at Mount Sinai and it is this relationship with G-d and the Torah which binds as together as a nation.

The focus of Passover therefore ought to be on Jewish unity; and its Mitzvoth and traditions should be of the kinds that emphasize our commonalities and oneness.

However when we analyze some of the core Passover traditions we find the opposite to be true. We seem to highlight the individual with his uniqueness and differences, rather than the unity and oneness of our nation.

Firstly: the korban pesach. One of the essential biblical mitzvoth of Passover is the paschal sacrifice. Every single individual had to participate in this sacrifice and personally eat from its meat. By nature it was not a communal sacrifice (offered on behalf of the entire nation) as were most of the sacrifices offered daily in the temple, rather an individualized sacrifice offered and eaten by every person together with their family and group.

Why is it that Passover is marked and celebrated in such an individualized manner? Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to mark the birth of our nation with a communal sacrifice; one that unites and binds us all together as one?

Secondly: the hagadah. At the center of our pesach seder is the Mitzva of recounting the story of the exodus. Instead of just simply reading the story, the torah instructs us to recount it by way of question and answer. The ones asking the questions are our children and we tell them the story of Pesach as an answer to their queries.

When describing the questions of the children, the torah specifically makes reference to four types of sons: the wise son, the wicked son, the simple son and the one who does not know to ask. Each son asks a different question and our responses vary based on their individual challenges and needs.

Here too it seems strange. Why all of a sudden are we placing so much emphasis on our individual differences, it seems to fly in the face of Jewish unity? Wouldn’t it be more in the Passover spirit to focus on that which unites us instead of highlighting our differences?

In truth, this paradox of unity vs individuality can already be found in the core structure of the Jewish nation. Although we are “one” – “Am Echad”, we are divided into twelve tribes. Throughout the entire bible there is tremendous significance and importance placed on the separation of tribes. Every tribe crossed the Red Sea separately, was counted separately, camped in the desert separately, received portions in the land of Israel separately, in some cases fought their wars separately and at times could not intermarry into other tribes. Every tribe was also noted for their unique role in the Jewish nation: Yehuda were the kings, Levi the priests, Yisachar the scholars, Dan the judges etc.

This arrangement seems very puzzling. Why was it necessary at all to have this division of tribes? If we are a united nation, why not just have a single society of Jews with everybody living and functioning as one?

Let’s cut right to the core of the issue at hand.

What is the nature of our nation? Are we a typical nation like any other or there something highly unique and unusual about us?

The answer is the latter. By definition the Jewish nation is an existing paradox; we are a nation of individuals. Yes we are united and yes we are one but our individuality is never lost. G-d designed us in the image of His unity. G-d encompasses all detail yet He is one and we too are a nation that includes many unique individuals while at the same time remaining united.

Take the human body as an example. Every limb is different and had a unique function that no other limb has and yet they are united. It is a single body that operates in perfect harmony despite the major differences between all the different parts. Every limb brings something to the table that all the other limbs benefit from and they all need and complement each other.

The same is true of the Jewish nation. We were designed as twelve tribes with each one possessing a very different role and function from the others. But at the same time all these tribes make up one nation because each one needs the rest. Every tribe provides a different piece to the overall puzzle that can only be completed by all the tribes together.

The same could be said of every individual Jew. We all are different and have our own unique style. We all have something that only we bring to the table that no other Jew has. Jewish unity does not mean that we cast aside our differences rather that we embrace and accept them. It is the realization that every individual possess a different piece of G-d’s puzzle and that this puzzle cannot be completed unless every Jew contributes their unique part.

This is why the paschal sacrifice could not be a communal sacrifice. Such a sacrifice would send the wrong message, that to be part of this nation one must give up their individuality. Instead we bring a personal sacrifice, driving home the message that we are this nation of individuals. We are supposed to be unique and should embrace our differences and this is what makes our nation truly special.

And when it comes to recounting the story of the exodus, we specifically draw attention to the four sons. We expound on their differences and tailor our answers to meet their individual needs. The message here is: it is okay to be different and you don’t have to conform to the same rigid style. Our nation must include all four sons and each one adds an ingredient that otherwise would be lacking.

So as we sit around the seder table and recount the story of our nation’s birth we need to focus on two things:

1. We need to get in touch with ourselves and find out who we are as individuals. We need to figure out what that unique piece of the puzzle is that only we can contribute; after all the rest of the Jewish nation is relying on us.

2. We need to turn to the person sitting next to us and accept them for what they are. We need to appreciate their uniqueness and value their style. We need to realize that we are a nation and that no one is complete without everybody else’s contribution.

This is the true feeling of liberation: to feel comfortable in your own skin and proud of whom you are while simultaneously accepting and valuing everybody else around you.