How Free Are We?

April 8, 2015

“Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.’” — Exodus 6:6

A note to our readers: The Jewish celebration of Passover began on April 3 and will be observed through April 11. During this time of Passover, we will offer daily devotional reflections tied to this very special observance. Since some of the days during the Passover celebration are non-working days, the devotions were prepared for you in advance.

Passover is also known as the holiday of freedom. We celebrate the fact that God set the children of Israel free. It’s a good time to also consider those who are not free. Indeed our freedom is something that we must never take for granted and that we should thank God for on Passover.

Which leads to an interesting question: What is freedom, really?

A story is told about Jews who approached a rabbi during the Holocaust, while millions of Jews were being held behind bars, and asked him, “Should we celebrate Passover this year? Are we free that we should thank God for freedom?” The answer the rabbi gave them was, “Yes, of course, you should celebrate Passover, since freedom is more than the ability to walk around and do whatever you want.”

Jewish journalist Steven Sotloff was held prisoner by ISIS and was one of the first Americans to be beheaded by this terrorist group. Stories surfaced how Sotloff exercised his freedom while being held prisoner and secretly prayed toward Jerusalem each day and fasted on Yom Kippur. His body may have been behind bars, but his spirit and soul were free.

On the other hand, millions of people walk around this planet with everything they need, including complete freedom – and yet, they live in a prison with invisible walls. They live for what others think of them. Or they say only what others want to hear them say. They have chosen a life path based on someone else’s dream, not their own.

On Passover, we are required to see ourselves as though God personally redeemed us all over again. A good question to ponder during this time is: How free am I really? How much of my life is lived by choice and not by chance? How much am I influenced by the eyes of humans rather than the eyes of God? How able am I to be myself, say what I believe, and take actions that I know to be right? The best way to celebrate our freedom is by exercising it!

With prayers for shalom, peace,