 | We say that each of us was there. In ancestral ways that defy the mind, every soul spark that ever was experienced the miracle of the Sea splitting to reveal our freedom path forward. The moment was so awesome that we all became like prophets. We still carry that vision. Passover's seventh day is the anniversary of that awesome day. Honoring that we all were there, we bring in our departed ancestors for Yizkor. |
By Rabbi David Evan Markus
Passover 5785 (2025)
During Passover, the Torah cycle suspends to honor the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15. The Exodus from Egypt was not complete until the Sea of Reeds split, revealing the freedom path forward. Only then could our spiritual ancestors leave bondage behind.
Spiritually, the moment was unlike any before or since: in human terms, even Sinai couldn't top it. The scene was so powerful, awesome, transformative and transcendent, that everyone there experienced themselves shining with the One Holy Light. They became like prophets.
In Jewish tradition, we say that every soul spark was there – everyone who ever was or ever would be. To this day, we all carry that spark of prophesy, that glimmer of ancestral memory.
Weeks later, when our spiritual ancestors reached Sinai, much the same happened. Sinai shined, the Covenant lifted a whole people, and again we say that we all were there. To this day, we all carry that flickering spark of recognition, that glimmer of ancestral calling.
So it's no coincidence that at Passover and Shavuot (and Sukkot) – in Temple days, the three pilgrimage festivals that reunited the whole people at the Temple – we invoke the "everyone" anew. We come together in community, and we honor the "everyone" no longer in body.
In Jewish life, Yizkor is one of those key ways that we honor our beloveds. At Yizkor we invoke memory, love, values and presence. And collective experience is why.
We still carry that spark, that glimmer, that calling. We all were there. We still are.
From my heart to yours, חַג פֶּסַח שָׂמֵחַ / hag pesah sameah – a joyous festival of Passover.
Passover Shabbat with Yizkor will be online Friday, April 18 at 7:00pm.
Have a yizkor candle, photos of loved ones, wine/juice for kiddush and matzah.
Here's the link for Friday evening.
* * *
The Week Ahead in the Omer Count
The 49-day Omer count from Passover (liberation) to Shavuot (revelation) began with the Second Seder on April 13. The first week of Omer ending April 19 is for the liberating power that connects and transcends that we call hesed (lovingkindness). Check that you can give and receive love freely and fully: we'll need it to receive Torah anew at Shavuot.
The second week of Omer (April 20-26) is for gevurah (strength) – solidity, heathy structure, wise boundaries. Check that you have them: we need them to thrive in the world. But also check that they don't entrap you behind walls that inhibit the giving and receiving of love. We need vulnerability and power in balance to receive Torah anew at Shavuot.
Passover 5785 (2025)
During Passover, the Torah cycle suspends to honor the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15. The Exodus from Egypt was not complete until the Sea of Reeds split, revealing the freedom path forward. Only then could our spiritual ancestors leave bondage behind.
Spiritually, the moment was unlike any before or since: in human terms, even Sinai couldn't top it. The scene was so powerful, awesome, transformative and transcendent, that everyone there experienced themselves shining with the One Holy Light. They became like prophets.
In Jewish tradition, we say that every soul spark was there – everyone who ever was or ever would be. To this day, we all carry that spark of prophesy, that glimmer of ancestral memory.
Weeks later, when our spiritual ancestors reached Sinai, much the same happened. Sinai shined, the Covenant lifted a whole people, and again we say that we all were there. To this day, we all carry that flickering spark of recognition, that glimmer of ancestral calling.
So it's no coincidence that at Passover and Shavuot (and Sukkot) – in Temple days, the three pilgrimage festivals that reunited the whole people at the Temple – we invoke the "everyone" anew. We come together in community, and we honor the "everyone" no longer in body.
In Jewish life, Yizkor is one of those key ways that we honor our beloveds. At Yizkor we invoke memory, love, values and presence. And collective experience is why.
We still carry that spark, that glimmer, that calling. We all were there. We still are.
From my heart to yours, חַג פֶּסַח שָׂמֵחַ / hag pesah sameah – a joyous festival of Passover.
Passover Shabbat with Yizkor will be online Friday, April 18 at 7:00pm.
Have a yizkor candle, photos of loved ones, wine/juice for kiddush and matzah.
Here's the link for Friday evening.
* * *
The Week Ahead in the Omer Count
The 49-day Omer count from Passover (liberation) to Shavuot (revelation) began with the Second Seder on April 13. The first week of Omer ending April 19 is for the liberating power that connects and transcends that we call hesed (lovingkindness). Check that you can give and receive love freely and fully: we'll need it to receive Torah anew at Shavuot.
The second week of Omer (April 20-26) is for gevurah (strength) – solidity, heathy structure, wise boundaries. Check that you have them: we need them to thrive in the world. But also check that they don't entrap you behind walls that inhibit the giving and receiving of love. We need vulnerability and power in balance to receive Torah anew at Shavuot.
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