The bible includes a “Do-Over” opportunity for folks who were unable to observe Passover on the proper festival day. And, while the ancient holiday was not focused on re-directing ourselves, I propose that we use it that way.

At this particular juncture in world and US history, even the single month since Passover has brought a lot of changes. A lot has come at us to pull us off whatever path we thought we were on. Or maybe we’re realizing the path we thought was liberatory is just leading in circles. It’s time to re-orient.

As the wider world continues to stumble toward all-out-war on so many fronts, and Jews tromp through the Omer, the “journey” between the Narrowness of pre-Passover and the Revelation of Shavuot… Let’s revisit parting of the sea and how we sing about it and re-evaluate: What crumbs did we fail to get rid of before the holiday started? Who did we leave behind when we escaped a month ago? or last year or the year before? Can we do better this time — or least notice what wasn’t quite right and prepare to try again? Can we understand liberation more inclusively?

Whatever work we’re trying to do in the world: What more do we need to learn and with whom do we need to connect to move toward a more universal Liberation?

One text to ponder:

Step by step we learned to braid our paths, to trade our stories round the /
fire. Sometimes we help each other over stones, share water when we find it, /
handfuls of oasis dates. And sometimes we feel the clutching at our hearts, /
grow fearful and angry, forget each other and betray. //
We sing solidarity together, but we have our doubts. If we’re one for all, will /
the all really be for one? //* — Aurora Levins Morales from “Wandering”

*Slashes added for line, paragraph breaks

From “Wandering” in “Sweet Year of Struggle: Pesach” section. Rimonim: Ritual Poetry of Jewish Liberation. Ayin Press, 2024 (more excerpt; ordering info). More context for this excerpt and some related readings on this Sefaria sheet.

Rabbis Ariana Katz and Jessica Rosenberg write a little about “Pesach Sheni [Second Passover]” in their book For Times Such as These (Wayne State University Press, 2024):

… there is comfort in knowing that, millenia ago, our ancestors understood that life happens, that our holiday calendar must shift and be flexible to account for life’s events, and that second chances are possible. — Katz & Rosenberg, p.235

This year, more than many, we need to lean into the second chance, and, instead of flailing or giving up, try to get ourselves on a “braided path” toward action in solidarity.

More on “Second Chance Passover…“

Featured image on the post is a graphic of a network, mostly included for decorative purposes