„Shomeric“ Ideology in Passover

Focusing on the link between the holiday and modern life

Passover is one of the most important and loved jewish holidays in the year. It celebrates the libration of the jewish people from their slave masters, estimated years ago. But although the biblical events occurred so long ago, various factors of the story, and more significant the tradition around it, can be directly interpreted to our modern society. In this piece of writing both the story of Passover and the tradition of the holiday will looked into and the link to the shomeric-belief's will be exemplified. Ultimately it will be concluded that multiple parts of Passover can be linked to our „shomeric“ belief’s.

Even though, there is no historical proof of the Exodus-Story, it is probably one of the most famous ones around the globe. In the story the jewish people leave Egypt after decades of being enslaved. The whole holiday of passover is about appreciating good times and remembering the bitter ones. Sadly, after more than 3000 years, there are still people all around the world who suffer from modern slavery. According to the International Labour Organization, over 24 million people who ware victims of forced labour[1]. In addition to that, more than 15 million people around the world are trapped into forced marriages[2] and over 200 million children suffer from child labor[3]. The first step of activism is to always keep in mind what you are fighting for and to be thankful for what you have. In that sense, take passover as an opportunity to be thankful for your freedom and to always remember and never overlook the horrifying things people have to suffer from in this world, right now. But it is not only our freedom we have to be thankful for. Another thing which is can not be taken for granted is the luxury of being abled to have a big passover-meal and to eat and drink as much as we want to. According to WPF, over 794 million people around the world don’t have enough food to live a healthy and active life[4]. It is important to mention, that the statistic’s regarding this topic often deviate but the estimated percentage of hungry people around the world is approx. 10,7%[5]. Concluding the above, we can be thankful for the food we are abled to have at our passover-feasts. Lastly passover is a great way of symbolizing cohesion. Even if only with a small group of people, you gather around, share your food and create a save environment. To gather around and share food with each other is a mentionable part of the Hashomer Hatzair movement. The Passover-meal, you have with your family, should be a place where you can feel save. In certain ways it represents the importance of a save environment, no matter where you come from, what god you believe in, who you love ect.. Sitting down together and eating in peace with each other is the best proof for coexistence and cohesion.

To sum up, the lifestyle we are living can not be taken for granted and Passover is a great opportunity to remember that. It also reminds us of the problems in our modern world and encourages us to fight for equality and freedom. Therefore it can be said that multiple parts of Passover can be linked to our „shomeric“ belief’s.

Chazak Ve’ematz, Pessach sameach!

Immanuel Turkof

Kvuzah Juvel

02.04.2020