Why is this Passover different from all other Passovers?

Maybe this should be the fifth question that we ask. Normally we are getting the house cleaned, tables set, food prepared, Afikomen Gifts, and so on. We are getting set for a Passover Seder with family and friends in attendance. We are looking forward to the telling of the story of our journey to freedom from being slaves in Egypt, and how G-d through Moses leadership leads us on that journey.

However this year we are slaves once again – not to a Tyrant like Pharoah, but instead we are slaves to a nasty Pandemic: Covid – 19. This is unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. Sure, SciFi Channel has plenty of fantasy shows and movies about Pandemics, but as we can see it is not like our current reality.

We should now be looking to who our Moses is? Who will take up that Mantle and help to free us from this “Slavery”. Instead of one Moses, there are several. They are the EMTs and First Responders, they work for the CDC and WHO. They are the scientists, the Doctors, the Nurses who are working tirelessly to find a cure, a vaccine, a way to stop Covid – 19 from spreading. They are those who are on the front lines who deal with the repercussions of this Pandemic.

Our Aarons and Miriams are the delivery people, mail people, workers who put their own lives on the line to make sure that those of us stuck in the Slavery of Quarantine have what we need to get by. They are the Tech Companies and their employees who keep the portals running like Zoom, Google Classroom, and others that keep us connected – if not physically, then through a virtual reality where we can see and hear each other. Though not perfect, it gives those of us in isolation the ability to connect with each other.

Like the Ancient Hebrews who crossed the Sea of Reeds to escape to Freedom, we too will have our Sea of Reeds which we will cross. And like the ancient Hebrews we will not be the same after this experience, but instead we will be stronger, we will come out of this Pandemic – reborn into a new people, a people who will have an appreciation for each other and for our lives.

May our Seders this year – albeit in isolation, though broadcast through a Virtual Medium – bring us joy, song, and an appreciation for each other.