After hundreds of years of slavery, freedom was a new concept for the Jewish people. They began discovering a new relationship with their own identity as well as with the world around them. They began to find their voice, to state their own individual goals, to take ownership over their destiny.

A slave is a possession, a slave is not allowed to have an opinion, cannot express a need or desire. Freedom brought along certain responsibilities for the Jewish people. They had to learn self-advocacy, they had to learn how to follow their inner voice rather than to be led by the demands of their masters. 

A major element of the freedom from Egypt was the freedom of speech. We all know that today when two Jews are having a discussion, there will be at least three opinions between them. Jews are encouraged to question and bring curiosity to every element of their lives. We must seek a path towards truth, and when one layer of truth is uncovered, the search for an even deeper layer of truth begins.

And we must not remain silent. Most of our Torah teachings are the fruit of deep discussion and arguments that Jewish sages and teachers have had throughout the millennia. If they had chosen to keep their opinions silent, if they had not found their inner voice, we would not be the people we are today.

It is our job as the representatives of our people during these times, when the truth is being silenced by senseless hatred and antisemitism, to speak the truth. Many of us don’t feel educated enough or may feel like we don’t know how to express ourselves. Now is our time to find liberation and freedom of speech. Let us take the opportunity this Passover to liberate our speech and let our voice be heard. Let us all hold our heads high and stand proud as we leave another exiled part of ourselves behind and find freedom on an even deeper level this Passover.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Passover,

Rabbi Zushe Cunin