What is the most profound aspect of Pesach? Perhaps it lies in its name: “Pass Over.” Pesach isn’t just a historical event—it’s a call to transcend darkness. Like characters in Shakespeare’s The Tempest or The Catcher in the Rye, we too face adversity. But Pesach teaches us that, like these characters, we can rise above and shed the negative forces that hold us back.
This theme of transcendence parallels the work of Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who didn’t just reflect their times—they defined them. Their masterpieces, grounded in human potential and renewal, show us how to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. In the same way, Pesach encourages us to transform struggles into stepping stones for self-discovery.
The idea of transformation also appears in literature. In Paradise Lost, John Milton tells the story of Satan’s fall and reinvention, showing that setbacks can lead to growth. Similarly, in Harry Potter, characters rise above their trials, embracing their potential. Both remind us that transformation is always within reach.
Pesach invites us to release old burdens, like an artist’s brushstroke flowing freely. Growth requires patience, courage, and the willingness to embrace the unknown. It’s a chance to break free from patterns that no longer serve us and make room for new possibilities. Just as Spring ushers in renewal, we can embrace this time with creativity and courage, trusting in the Creator’s guidance toward freedom.
Gratitude, like an artist’s brushstroke, paints our world with light. Practicing gratitude opens us to life’s beauty and invites more abundance. By shifting our perspective, we begin to see even the ordinary as extraordinary, allowing us to transform our hearts and lives.
Living with light in our hearts, we discover freedom beyond external circumstances—the freedom to express who we truly are, to create, love, and grow. As Spring unfolds, let it remind you of the beauty and possibility ahead. Like a masterpiece, you have the power to become your highest self. Every step of renewal brings you closer to realizing your potential.
Poem: The Journey of Renewal
by Moshe P. Weisblum©
From darkest nights, we rise, renewed,
With hearts of strength, our souls pursued.
In every challenge, find the way,
To turn the night into the day.
Gratitude fuels each step we take,
In every loss, a chance to wake.
The world awaits, your light to shine,
Your path is yours, your heart divine.
With every brushstroke, hope reborn,
A brighter future, every morn.
Trust the journey, embrace the fight,
For in your hands, the world ignites.
Happy Passover,
Rabbi Moshe P. Weisblum, PhD
