A Reflection by Bro. Leo Adrian Imbert, SDB

(Jerusalem, Israel) – Three years ago, after only living a month in Jerusalem, the war started. Since then, it has been a constant ebbing and flowing from moments of tenuous peace to soaring missiles and bomb shelters. This violent reality, often framed as Jews versus Muslims, is a strange backdrop for all of us, totally immersed in theological studies in preparation for the Catholic priesthood. Indeed, the tension is real, and the various theological lectures on religious dialogue and courses on ecumenism have not ameliorated the anxiety we all feel. Fortunately, a few of us submitted a portion of our free time to the wisdom and tutelage of Rabbi Oded Peles. During the past few years, Oded has made it his mission not only to teach us about the Jewish religious customs but also to take us to them. We have gone to synagogues, experienced holy days celebrations, traveled to historical Jewish towns, and even led us on a walking tour through an ultra-orthodox neighborhood. As enriching as they have been, nothing has been more moving than when he arranged for a few of us to experience a Pesach Seder with a beautiful Jewish family. The Passover Seder commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, when the Israelites were freed from slavery, as told in the Torah.

After an exhaustive search for a Jewish family that would host three men unfamiliar to them, Rabbi Oded was finally able to successfully secure three seats at the Pesach table of the Sagiv Family. Attending was Bro. Cristian from Guatemala, Bro. Allesandro from Italy and I (Bro. Leo) from California. Prior to arrival, the three of us admitted to feeling a bit stressed, not knowing what we were getting into. Yet I was more baffled at how a family can open their doors and share a table with three complete strangers. And yet they did, sending their two smallest kids outside of the apartment complex to escort us in. The couple, Natanael and Masuah, met us at the door with smiles and warm greetings. As we sat on their couch while they finished preparing, Nogah, the youngest child, dazzled us with cartwheels and other acrobatic feats (had I attempted to do them, I would have been hospitalized for weeks). Once the opening act concluded, we were invited to sit at the dining room table. It had been creatively decorated with Lego figures designed to depict the crossing of the Red Sea. The display extended almost the entire length of the table- with Pharaoh and his chariot on one side, Moses on the other, and the Israelites crossing along the center.

After providing them with a brief introduction of ourselves, Masuah, the Matriarch, gave us a synopsis of the events that were to unfold, and gifted us each with a colorfully illustrated book titled A Night to Remember that served as a guide through Haggadah (the rite of Passover Seder). I would eventually come to realize that this title had multiple meanings. The obvious one was that epic night thousands of years ago when the LORD “passed over” the Israelites to strike every firstborn of the Egyptians. As instructed by God, they henceforth remembered this night as the commencement of the central saving act in Israelite history when God released them from slavery and ushered them through the wilderness into the Promised Land. Yet another meaning of “a night to remember” extends beyond bringing to mind an event of long ago. It is a mystical re-presentation of that epic night, which Jews of today live out.

As any worthy religious feast, it started with the Kadesh, or blessing. Now, I am not really an emotional guy, but this act cut me to the core. The husband and wife stood up, placed their foreheads together, while Natanael recited a blessing over his wife. As the rest of the table observed silently, I was completely moved- privileged to behold this pure expression of marital love. The blessing ended with a warm kiss. Then both parents distributed this loving invocation to the foreheads of their children- each followed with a kiss. I inwardly rejoiced to our loving God, who graced the world with the gift of family and asked Him to protect this beautiful home. It was at this moment that I realized I was not just an observer of this religious event, but a participant in a holy encounter with our Mighty God. The Seder Order was filled with scriptural readings, prayers, and songs. One repeated song was the Kadesh Urkhaz (signposts for the Seder), which gave an outline for the Seder rite. Clearly, this was geared toward the youth, as each song was accompanied by physical gestures by the children. As a teacher in my previous life, I immediately recognized it as a mnemonic device used to remember the order for future generations. It was literally a night to remember. The songs, sweets, movements, and even the Lego display on the table were all cleverly geared for the children. These devices were meant to impress upon the hearts and minds of the younger generations who would continue the tradition for centuries to come. The rite also contained a question-and-answer exchange between the children and the parents. The third son, Eyal (in many ways, the life of the party) accepted the role to ask what Jewish kids have presumably asked their parents at every Seder dinner for thousands of years: “Why is this night different from all other nights?” The response: “We were slaves to Pharaoh and Adonai freed us from Egypt…” Each section of the rite was capped with a prayer and a glass of wine. Four cups of wine signify the four promises made by God to the Israelites: “I will take them out,” “I will rescue them,” “I will redeem them,” and “I will marry them.” As the evening flowed, so did the wine, enhancing the enjoyment and singing skills of all (the kids drank juice).

Speaking of the children for a moment, honorable mention must be given to them, their composure, and lively spirit. It is truly a testament to their parents. Matityahu, the eldest son, was a gentleman. Yet, the one who had the biggest impression on me was Tamar, a beautiful young lady of 17 years. Her reverence and knowledge of the Holy Feast were truly impressive. She not only embraced the heritage of her family and religion but also admitted to being more attuned with the Orthodox tradition. Tamar spoke of the desire to seek a profound connection to God through a more traditional expression. Yet her longing went beyond the desire for structure and tradition. She sought meaning and eternal truths. She also noted that this sentiment is shared among many of her peers. What struck me was that I had observed a similar phenomenon among my “Gen Z” students in the United States. This emerging generation seems tired of the relativism of modernity. So many years of superficial ideologies, uncommitted culture, and identity confusion have left them asking if anything in this world is consistent or enduring. They have observed how hedonism, materialism, and secularism have left many in society vacuous and indifferent. To hear a young lady express this yearning for meaning was so refreshing. Meeting this young lady has been so restorative for me in terms of hope for the future.

It has become clear to me that the biggest obstacle to a more perfect union in Jerusalem is undoubtedly ignorance. To this end, Rabbi Oded is truly doing God’s work, bringing together otherwise disparate groups and doing so in a way that is engaging, tangible, and authentic. He is not content with mere lectures on “getting along.” Rather, he is bringing together persons of different religious traditions in a manner that simultaneously invites them into a particular tradition while simultaneously uniting them. It both celebrates a culture and unites them with other traditions. This neither perpetuates polemics which divide, nor waters down the differences for the sake of some pseudo unity. It is real, authentic, and exposes the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of our loving God.

As we were departing and expressing our gratitude for each other, I could not help but feel more united, not just to this family, but to the Jewish people. We may come from two distinct religious traditions, and there are real differences that separate us, but what is common is the love for the One True God. The God of our ancestors. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who revealed Himself to Israel to serve as a vehicle for all nations of the world to come to Him. And we as Christians are the beneficiaries of this message, with its final revelation in Christ Jesus, our Savior and long-awaited Messiah. May Adonai continue to bless the Sagiv Family. May Israel remain faithful to Him. And to Jerusalem, peace.

Congratulations, Rabbi Oded, on this evening, your mission was accomplished. It was truly a night to remember.