The Jewish Holiday Cycle: A Journey of Exile and Redemption
The Jewish holiday cycle is deeply intertwined with the experiences of exile and the search for freedom. The fall festival of Sukkot is celebrated in temporary booths, recalling the Israelites’ wandering in the desert for 40 years after their Exodus from Egypt. Purim, a springtime festival, commemorates the precariousness of life as a minority during the ancient Jews’ exile in the Persian Empire.
Passover: A Celebration of Freedom and Exile
Passover, which begins on April 22, 2024, marks the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, the first step towards redemption. The theme of freedom dominates the holiday. However, unlike other holidays that celebrate homecoming, Passover highlights the transition from exile to wandering. This complexity is explored in literary works like Shulamit Hareven’s “The Miracle Hater,” which depicts the Hebrews’ ambiguous feelings towards their newfound freedom.
Exile and Its Aftermath
In her novella, Hareven focuses on the unnamed masses of Jewish slaves who have just crossed the Red Sea. She explores their uprooting and the challenges of forging a new community in the unknown wilderness. Orly Castel-Bloom’s “An Egyptian Novel” weaves history, family lore, and alternative history to imagine a family who remained in Egypt throughout the ages. This raises questions about the choices and experiences of those who did not partake in the Exodus.
Modern Experiences of Exile
In modern times, Jews have once again faced exile. André Aciman’s memoir “Out of Egypt” captures the personal nature of exile, as his family was forced to leave Egypt in the early 1960s. Aciman describes the irony of preparing for Passover while on the eve of departure and the mourning of a place that had become home.
British journalist Tim Judah’s visit to Iraq in 2003 reveals the traces of a once-thriving Jewish community. He meets the few remaining Jews and witnesses the profound impact of uprooting on their lives. Judah’s pilgrimage ends not in a sense of belonging but in a break from the past.
A Cycle of Remembrance
The Jewish holiday cycle is a reminder of the experiences of exile and the search for redemption. Through Passover, those who are free can celebrate their freedom, while those who are rooted can cherish their rootedness. Yet at the same time, the Seder table serves as a reminder of those who are still suffering from being uprooted.
