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The monumental festival of Pesach is fast approaching. This is made clear and obvious by the fact that we have arrived at Shabbat Hagadol, the Great Shabbat which immediately precedes Passover. There is a wonderful feeling of excitement and anticipation in the early spring air as we prepare ourselves for the Time of our Freedom, which is another traditional name for this foundational holiday (in addition to the Festival of Matzah.)
Freedom is the ultimate focus and emphasis of Passover. We can also find a reference to freedom in our Torah portion of the week, Parashat Metzora. We learn that part of the process of the purification of a house involves two birds, one of which was offered to God and the second of which would fly free. As is stated in the book of Leviticus, chapter 14, verse 53, "He shall set the live bird free toward the outside of the city upon the open field..."
A free bird flying off into the open sky is certainly a symbol of human freedom. As the bird with its awesome wings soars, so do our souls. We crave and yearn for the deepest kind of freedom our souls can encounter; the freedom of redemption, the freedom of peace.
The bird of our parsha represents a freedom that purification can offer. When we feel pure and open we can enhance our experience of Passover and the seder nights, which are so defining to our religion and culture. We, the Jewish people, honor freedom and believe in its pursuit wholeheartedly. May this upcoming season of Pesach be a time of freedom and joy for all of us.
Shabbat Shalom.
Cantor Zachary Konigsberg
cantorzkonigsberg@gmail.com
917-696-0749
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