Passover is a time of year when Jews traditionally focus on freedom. We tell the story of the Exodus – our forebears being rescued from Egypt and journeying towards the land of Israel. Families will come together around the seder table and celebrate being led out of captivity. We will recite aloud the phrase “Next Year in Jerusalem” – once a distant dream, now an wonderful possibility.
Children at the Seder table are always encouraged to ask questions about the festival – most famously, the Four Questions of the Mah Nishtana. But this year is different from all other years, because more than a few people, young and old, may be asking themselves a question of their own: How can we celebrate our freedom while we know that there are those who are not free? Because there are more than 100 men, women and children who are being held captive – who were taken from us, six long dark months ago, on the terrible day of October 7.