[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — Next week is Pesach (or Passover), the season of our freedom, when Jews all over the world gather at the Seder table with family and friends to commemorate the Exodus, the time when the oppressed Hebrew slaves (Jews) followed Moses out of Egypt to the Promised Land of Israel.

At the end of the Seder, those not lucky enough to be in Jerusalem automatically say, “Next year in Jerusalem!”

That phrase may never have been more important than now, when Jews in Israel are being told that their over 3,000-year continuous presence in Jerusalem may no longer be. And, the very existence of the State of Israel is threatened.

Sadly, some of the very Jews who say “Next year in Jerusalem” at Seder tables in the U.S. are the same Jews supporting the policies of those who advocate the carving up of Jerusalem and Israel into a Palestinian state, giving Muslim Arabs control of Jewish holy sites to destroy and desecrate as they have done in the past, and prohibiting Jews from building in their nation's capitol.

Reasons to be Grateful

I take this opportunity to thank Hashem (G-d) for having blessed me to be a citizen of both Israel and the United States, two democracies trying to be “free” in a world of oppression, and to exercise my right of freedom of speech. I ask those of you celebrating the holiday, and those of you who are not, to think about the ramifications of some of the policies being forced on Israel. Our lives here in Israel are dependent upon you.

Preparing for the one-week holiday takes several weeks. We spring clean our homes and “free” ourselves of chametz (bread, flour, grain products) and anything not marked “kosher for Pesach/Passover.” That entails cleaning out our kitchen cabinets and pantries, refrigerator, oven and range, vacuuming our sofas and chairs for crumbs, emptying clothes pockets and purses, and getting rid of non-permissible items.

It also means locking in a closet or cabinet those items that cannot be used during Pesach. Then we request that a rabbi “sell” the forbidden chametz and items to a non-Jew and “buy” it back after the holiday is over.

Although, the preparation for the holiday can be a nightmare at times, cooking, cleaning, shopping, checking everything, I must say that I am thankful to have the freedom to do so.

Having grown up in a relatively non-religious household, and then by choice returning to my Jewish roots, to try and be Torah observant, I am distinctly aware of what I missed.

Yet, believe it or not, one of my earliest and fondest childhood memories is a Pesach Seder held at my grandmother's, with my great-grandfather present, may they rest in peace. I was the small child given the privilege of opening the door to let the angel Elijah enter the home.

I wish those of you celebrating the holiday a happy, healthy, safe and kosher Pesach.

L'hitraot. Shachar

Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel 2 ½ years ago.