“Judaism does not have the monopoly of truth… One need not become a Jew to get wisdom, righteousness and salvation… The possibility to have a true relationship with God is available to non-Jewish cultures and religions as well.” Any Non-Jews would readily agree with these ideas. But, would an ordinary Jewish Rabbi tolerate such a position? In fact, the above quoted lines are from the book, “The Dignity of Difference” written by the eminent British Jewish Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who is also a philosopher, theologian and writer. His views about the great Jewish festival of Passover is also interesting. In his view, the Feast of Passover conveys a great message about freedom. Even in the present day Jewish Passover celebration, there is an interesting element of a child asking the father of the household the meaning of the Passover celebration. In response, the head of the household narrates the story of the first Passover to the younger generation. He describes how God freed the people of Israel from the slavery in Egypt. Commenting on this particular ritual, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes, “Freedom is won not on the battlefield but in the classroom and the home. Teach your children the history of freedom if you want them never to lose it.”

The Jewish Passover celebration has several interesting aspects that can communicate spiritual truths of perennial value (Exodus 12). As Christian Eucharistic celebration is closely connected with the Jewish Passover celebration, the inner meaning of Passover rituals can also help Christians to celebrate the Eucharist in a more meaningful and fruitful manner. In the divine ordinance regarding the institution of Passover, God instructs the Israelites that the month they celebrate the Passover must mark the first month of the Year. That means the Passover celebration should mark a new beginning. A new beginning marked by the painful memories of a miserable past and empowering experience of what God had done for them. We are encouraged and emboldened to overcome all debilitating situations if we can remember what God had done for us in the past.

Passover celebration was a religious observance although it was neither officiated by priests nor celebrated in the temple. The killing of the lamb was not a sacrifice either. However, it was celebrated as a family liturgy. It is worth noting that the Israelites found time for this religious rite in the midst of their preparation for the departure from Egypt. One can imagine how stressed and preoccupied the Israelites were when they were asked by Moses with a short notice to leave Egypt. They had to make their family, including the children and elderly, ready for their journey. They had to take all their belongings including cattle and all other valuables. In the midst of all these they found time to celebrate Passover, the way God commanded them to do. They gave due importance to their religious duty even when they were hard pressed by an extraordinary life situation.

They ate the Passover in a standing position, in a departure mode! The eating of the Passover marked a departure from the land of slavery, oppression, exploitation, injustice and sorrow. It marked a departure to the land of freedom, joy and prosperity. When a Christian celebrates the Eucharist, it should be a manifestation of his departure from the slavery of sin and death and a departure to the land of joy and freedom of the children of God.

Though the Israelites were to begin their journey immediately they were not allowed to pack some of the left overs of the Passover lamb or bread for their journey. Of course, it would have been a great solace if they were asked to take the left overs for their journey. God wanted them to depend solely on him for all their needs during their journey. Without eating the roasted Passover lamb, the celebration would not be complete. It reminds the Christians that the partaking of the Eucharist is not complete unless they eat the body of Jesus, the Passover lamb, roasted in the fire of His sufferings.

The Passover celebration with its slaughtering of the unblemished lamb was the prelude to freedom. The Eucharistic celebration reminds us of Jesus, the unblemished lamb sacrificed for our freedom from the slavery of sin. The daily Eucharist reminds us that true freedom necessitates real sacrifices.