{"id":54865,"date":"2020-04-24T12:18:59","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T18:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=54865"},"modified":"2020-04-24T12:18:59","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T18:18:59","slug":"off-the-pulpit-freedom-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/off-the-pulpit-freedom-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Pulpit: Freedom first"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE<\/p>\n

Passover is done, but may I bring one more word about matzah?<\/p>\n

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His answer was that we need to appreciate freedom before we can understand the bitterness of slavery. Matzah must come first. When we lament that we are trapped at home, it is because we understand the joy of being able to go where we wish. Every grievance is the flip side of a gift. We are sad now because we know the joy of earlier times.<\/p>\n

Rabbi Bunim was teaching us the art of appreciation even in a difficult time. Although the lesson was from Passover, it remains powerful throughout the year. Gratitude before grievance. Let\u2019s remember that the seder ends in freedom, in the matzah of the afikomen. We cherish the hope that the pandemic will end in freedom and safety soon.<\/p>\n

(Rabbi David Wolpe is the senior rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.)<\/em><\/p>\n

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