This week, our family took a trip with my British Parents to Battle Road Visitors Center in Lexington. While I had heard and read plenty about the American Revolution, it was a different learning experience actually being there. The story became alive and much more relevant as we viewed the exhibits, a well done multimedia show, and actually spent time walking along Battle Road while stopping at various historic landmarks where major events happened along the way.
The trip gave me a greater appreciation for the painful history of this stretch of road and of some earlier American history. Yet I realized as I left, that precisely since we did not just read about it, but instead actually experienced the learning in an interactive and involved way, that our learning and takeaway became that much more indelible and meaningful.
As we celebrate Passover, the message is no different. In fact the focus of the Seder is all about interactive and action based Judaism, as this is what engages the young in age, and the inner inquisitive and spiritual self that we all have. Judaism is teaching us, that the greatest way to impart our values, morals and tradition to the future, is through making our own Judaism into a vibrant and action oriented experience.
Yes, our inner thoughts, knowledge and pride are all a crucial part of who we are and critical to our Jewish identity, at the same time, actions and Mitzvot are what it is all about, and are also the staying power for our Jewish future.
Wishing you a meaningful and inspiring final two days of Passover.
Happy Passover / Chag Sameach & Shabbat Shalom