A shadow hangs over Passover

This year, Passover hits differently. Passover is the most celebrated out of all Judaism’s festivals, has the most preparations attached to it, and is officially known as “the holiday of freedom”. It celebrates the Jewish people leaving slavery in Egypt and becoming a free people.

During Passover we tell the story of the Exodus and rejoice that our people were freed by God. We symbolise this newfound freedom by acting differently and eating different foods. We eat the maror, the bitter herbs, as a way of remembering the bitterness of our enslavement, and we lean to our left while drinking wine on Passover, to remind ourselves that today we are free like a king.

Red kosher wine is commonly part of the Passover celebration, seen here with a white matzah (or matza), which is unleavened bread, an integral part of the meal. Credit: iStock

Yet, with Israeli hostages still in Gaza, for the second Passover in a row, the celebration of freedom during Passover feels more complicated. How am I supposed to celebrate a festival of salvation when there are still Jewish people being held against their will, in Hamas’ tunnels? Despite Israel and Hamas coming to a temporary ceasefire on two occasions, there are still 60-odd hostages, both dead and alive, in Hamas captivity.

Since October 7, the plight of the hostages has absorbed Jewish communities around the world. Each week we pray for their wellbeing in our synagogues. At weddings and Bar Mitzvahs we wish for their safe return to their families. Many of the people who are still in captivity were taken from the Nova party, a rave in the desert, while others were taken from their beds in their Kibbutzim. We think of them when we dance and we think of them when walking along the streets, where their faces are ubiquitous and well known.

Because Passover is so family oriented, it’s a big deal. People plan who they are hosting months in advance. The Seder, held on the first two nights of Passover, is the most important meal of the entire eight-day festival. Last year, some families left an empty seat at their table to remember the hostages. If the hostages don’t get to celebrate together with their families, we should at least think about them and pray for their wellbeing while we are celebrating with our families.

Preparing matzah balls and chicken soup, a Passover classic.Credit: iStock / chameleonseye

But now, it’s the second Passover in a row that families are missing their loved ones. How can one fathom that so much time has passed? The Jewish people are a small people, and I share mutual friends with some of the hostages.

Like everyone in my community, this Passover I am thinking of them and pray for their safe release with extra vigour. I know that this year at Passover, again, there will be a place setting for those who are not yet able to celebrate their freedom.

Nomi Kaltmann is an Orthodox rabbi.