The Exodus of the 21st Century
Pesach is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish tradition. It is not only a holiday of freedom but a symbol of the formation of the Jewish people into a single nation, united by common goals and values. This holiday is a symbol for the Jews of unshakable faith and following traditions through the centuries.
More than once after the Egyptians, the Jewish people were in slavery. Of course, not literally, but in more modified forms. One of the most striking examples is the period of Soviet power when religion was declared “the opium for the people”, and echelons for eviction were already prepared for the Jews of the USSR. Even though after the death of the mustachioed tyrant, plans to evict Jews were canceled, the state doctrine of anti-Semitism and the fight against Zionism only developed. Nevertheless, even in that dark time, the Jews managed to get matzah — the bread of our poverty. This tradition was the guiding thread that connected the generations of Jews from Moses to the present day. Even in my small native Konotop, the Jews managed to bake and get matzah for Pesach, despite all the prohibitions and obstacles.
For 210 years the Jews were enslaved by the Egyptian pharaohs. Only together, with the right leader, who was helped by G-d and the gift of persuasion, the Jews managed to get out of this slavery, and become a single nation that was able to build their state in ancient times, and restore it today.
For 210 years from 1781 (the liquidation of the regimental system in the Hetman region, the formation of regions based on the Russian model) — until 1991, the Ukrainian people were in slavery to Russia.
For 40 years, Moses led the Jews through the desert, until there were none left who remembered slavery before making Aliyah to the Land of Israel.
For more than 30 years, we, the citizens of Ukraine, have been reaping the fruits of “Soviet slavery”, and eliminating this spirit of common worship of fake idols and fake messiahs from our people, a political nation.
During the conquest of Canaan, the ancient city of Jericho fell from the sounds of sacred trumpets, now “Moscow” fell from trumpets no less sacred in significance for the people of Ukraine.
Pesach — translated from Hebrew means “passed”, “passed by” — in memory of the fact that the angel of death passed the houses of the Jews, killing only Egyptian firstborns.
I wish the people of Ukraine that the angel of death passes our homes, punishing only our enemies. Traditionally, Seder Pesach ends with the words — Next year — in Jerusalem, signifying the eternal desire of the Jewish people to return to the Promised Land and the restoration of the Jerusalem Temple. Today I want to tell everyone — Next year — in Kyiv, signifying the imminent restoration of our beautiful country and its capital, which steadfastly holds the attacks of the Nazis of the 21st century!
