Every day we harden our hearts. But who could blame us?

There is so much injustice in the world – we are reminded of it every time we open the paper, log onto Facebook, or tune in to the news. We would be overwhelmed if our hearts remained open to it all. It would be too much to bear.

But, when good people turn away from suffering, injustice prevails.

If Moses had looked on the Israelites' plight with a hardened heart, he would have remained a prince of Egypt. The Passover story is full of these moments. Reflections on liberation and subjugation, scarcity and abundance. Rituals like eating bitter herbs enlist all our senses as we try to step into the shoes of others: “Remember you were slaves in Egypt.”

Then, as the children raise their voices to sing “Dayenu”, we feel our hearts soften. 

We remember how fortunate we are to be gathered together with such fine people. How blessed we are to have been given so much more than “enough.”
But what are we to do with this blessing of abundance?

Our Haggadah tells us: share it.
With our hearts unhardened, we can follow the clear instruction given:

“Let all who are hungry come and eat.”

Chag Same'ach!




Izzy Waxman
Executive Director,
Mazon Canada