As winter gives way to spring, many rejoice at the longer days, the warmer weather and melting snow. Last winter's ice storm with it's frozen and busted pipes is a memory. The last shipment of heating oil for the season is in the tank. Is it time to relax, either spiritually of physically?
Physically, the snow shovel gives way to a rake. The snow blower yields to the lawn mower. The heating system rests as the air conditioning clicks in. And a walk around the yard shows downed limbs from the winter storms, not to mention the leaves from the oaks that don't drop in the autumn. The physical tasks of life do not go away. They go into transition. The beauty of nature begins to emerge, first with the crocuses, the forsythia, and the buds on the trees. The list of to-dos however, remains unabated.
Physical transitions in life have their spiritual parallels. The symbolism of the Passover Seder puts the physical changes in perspective. We are reminded of new animal life of the spring with the Seder egg and the new plant life with the fresh parsley. And the exodus from Egypt, symbolic of freedom from slavery, also reminds us that we are now free from our heavy winter coats and gloves.
Passover in general and the seder in particular offer us another opportunity to reflect on our glorious past and look forward to our personal and collective futures. Many of us are already planning for Bnei Mitsvah, graduations, the end of the school year and even summer vacation.
As the cycle of life continues, Karen and I send you best wishes for a happy Passover.
Joshua L. Segal
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