Practising Liberal Judaism At Pesach by Rabbi Elizabeth Tikvah Sarah of Brighton & Hove Progressive Synagogue
Jewish observance is not the preserve of the Orthodox: While Orthodox daily practice is Orthodox, Liberal daily practice is Liberal. This is also true when it comes to special moments in Jewish life, like Shabbat and the festivals. Perhaps the festival that is the most demanding from the point of view of Orthodox observance is Pesach. So, what is distinctive about observing Pesach as a Liberal Jew?
A Liberal Jewish approach to Pesach begins with some key Liberal Jewish commitments:
Each one of these commitments has implications for how we observe Pesach as Liberal Jews. Putting the message of liberation and justice into practice, involves relating the story of our ancestors to, for example, the plight of those living under oppressive regimes today, and taking practical steps, like supporting the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. Being sensitive to those who are poor or have limited means includes: donating the leaven products we remove to non-Jews in need; avoiding expensive products labelled ‘Kosher for Pesach’ that have nothing to do with leaven, like coffee, for example, and donating the money we save to Tz’dakah; making sure we are hospitable to those who are poorer than ourselves. Making a connection between our ancestors’ experience and our own experience, involves amining the ways we are enslaved in our daily lives and using Pesach as an opportunity to break destructive habits by spending a week eating a simpler, healthier leaven-free diet: If we don’t buy all those Pesach products, which are designed to substitute for leaven, lay off the imitation-leaven Pesach cakes, and eat more vegetables and fresh fruits, there’s a real chance we may actually enter into the true spirit of the tale of liberation and renewal.
With best wishes for a Liberal Jewish Pesach – and Chag Samei’ach!
CHAMEITZ - LEAVENED FOOD AT PESACH
“Seven days shall no leaven be found in your houses” (Ex. 12:19) “No leaven shall be seen with you” (13:7)
Pesach is a time of renewal. One of the ways in which we demonstrate our readiness to renew our lives is by removing chameitz – leaven – which symbolises everything that is puffed up, stuffy, stagnant, toxic and excessive.
At Pesach we celebrate the liberation of our ancestors and the arrival of the spring by cleaning out our homes, cleansing our systems, refreshing our spirits, and making a new beginning.
The removal of chameitz (leaven), involves the removal of products, other than matzah, made from the five grains, wheat, barley, oats, rye and spelt (a wild form of wheat), and those which contain yeast.
These include:
Since the 13th century, a restriction on rice and legumes (peas, beans, lentils) has also been in force in Ashkenazi communities (because these foods ‘appear’ to leaven – i.e. they expand). Sephardi practice does not demand the removal of rice and legumes
Liberal Judaism follows Sephardi practice because:
In addition to the restrictions on certain foods, it has become customary for those observing Pesach only to purchase food items that have been supervised during the process of their manufacture to ensure that they have not come into contact with leaven. From a Liberal point of view, it is not necessary to ensure products have a ‘kosher for Pesach’ label except for items involving flour - matzah, matzah meal, cakes and biscuits.
Traditionally, removal of leaven involves burning half-used amounts (bi’ur chameitz), or selling it (m’chirat chameitz) to a non-Jew for the duration of the festival. Liberal Judaism recommends that unused chameitz products are given to those in need, so that Pesach becomes an opportunity for Tz’dakah.
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