Studies show that one of the most widely observed of all Jewish rituals is the Passover Seder. I suspect its universal appeal has to do with the many ways one can connect to the drama of the Passover story.
It matters less how precisely families celebrate this important holiday; it is very significant that the values imbedded in the festival have remained relevant and fresh, even to this day.
On one level, Passover is about freedom. Historically we celebrate the Israelites' redemption from Egyptian bondage. But it is so much more about the spiritual slavery so many of us find ourselves battling. Passover falls just as winter’s firm grip begins to slacken, a time of promise, renewal and rebirth. The ethos of Passover is about breaking free from the enslavement of fruitless endeavors and worthless obsessions. The spring is the most optimistic of all the seasons; Passover reminds us that we can be liberated from the perils of destructive behavior.
The other important message of Passover is Jewish continuity; the acknowledgment that our generation is the sole link in a chain that connects the past to the future. Throughout the Passover Seder we are reminded that it is our responsibility to tell the story (in Hebrew li-ha-geed-- the root of the word Haggadah) to the next generation.
Ultimately, the Jewish people will survive onlyif we choose to transmit the sacred lessons and lore of our people to our children.
The future of the Jewish people does not depend on whether your matzaballs sink or float or if you eat chicken or brisket at your Seder. The richness of Jewish life depends upon our ability to articulate the values of freedom; to engage in a spirited discussion about some aspect of slavery and freedom at our Seder table, and most importantly, to impart to our children and grandchildren the satisfaction of living a Jewish life and the relevance and timelessness of Judaism's teachings.
Passover is a fun and joyous holiday. It is a time for family and friends to gather, to retell the exciting saga of Jewish survival, and to enhance by our own commitment, the future of the Jewish people.
From our home to yours, we wish you a sweet, meaningful and joyous Pesach!
.............................Rabbi Robert S. Goldstein
Rabbi Dr. Robert Goldstein was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and was ordained a Rabbi in 1981 at the Hebrew Union College/Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. In 1988, Rabbi Goldstein earned a Doctor of Ministry at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. His doctoral thesis was entitled, “Life Cycle.Life Crisis: Religious Orgins and Psychological Implications of Three Rites of Passage.” 
