Zissen Pesach

By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President

As the first night of Pesach approaches on Monday, our communities are abuzz with both excitement and the typical pre-holiday panic. This week, we are busy with extensive preparations—cleaning, shopping, and cooking. As I get ready for this year’s holiday, I reflect on previous celebrations, each one a vivid memory interwoven with tradition, mishaps, and unforgettable moments. From the unexpected breakdown of a cooktop just before the first Seder to vibrant gatherings marked by songs, afikomen hunts, and family reunions, each Seder has its own unique narrative and leaves a lasting imprint on our family’s history.

Our Passover celebrations have evolved over the years, blending innovative customs with cherished traditions. These include crafting playful “plague bags” and experimenting with diverse culinary delights that go beyond the classic brisket. The active participation of my now-adult children has infused our Seders with creativity and joy, renewing our sense of community and continuity. Although some faces at our table have changed—with friends moving and beloved family members passing away—we consistently open our home and our Seder to new attendees, embracing both Jews and non-Jews alike, trying to embody the spirit of “let all who are hungry come and eat.”

This Shabbat, Parashat Metzora discusses tzara’at, a mysterious affliction where the victim is described as if they were dead and explains the ritual for reintegration of that person into the community. Just days after that Torah reading, we have our Passover Seder, where we recount the Exodus, highlighting the protective ritual that safeguarded Israelite homes during the plagues. Interestingly, the Hebrew word Negah, meaning disease, plague or wound, is used to describe both the affliction of the tenth plague that caused the death of the first born, and the tzara’at skin disease—linking both narratives and underscoring themes of rebirth and community integration.

The rabbis noticed more than just the similar word used to describe these two “afflictions.”  The act of painting blood using the hyssop plant is used to ward off both the angel of death on the night of the tenth plague and the affliction of the skin disease. Moreover, on the night of the tenth plague, the Israelites were required to perform this ritual, and then wait until they were allowed to leave their homes and join the broader community. And, in this week’s Torah reading we are told that the person suffering from the near-death skin disease had to wait after the similar ritual to rejoin their community. The rabbis say in the former instance the Israelites were being born as a new nation, and in the latter, the person is given a chance for a spiritual rebirth that now allows them to rejoin that nation. In both instances, the focus is on rebirth and the renewal of spirit required to build a community.

In our times, the themes of spiritual renewal and community resonate strongly. As we prepare for Passover, let’s reconnect with loved ones and with our community, including our brothers and sisters in Israel, to cherish all the blessings in our lives, including the bonds within Women’s League. May the story of our ancestors remind us of the power of community and the divine potential in every individual.

Wishing everyone a Zissen Pesach surrounded by family and friends.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!

Julia Loeb
WLCJ International President
jloeb@wlcj.org