We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Declaration of Independence
Beyond the Passover Seder’s Four Questions- the Ma Nishtanah, there is another question to be asked: what role does slavery fall within the Hebrew narrative?
The question’s answer comes from Professor Joshua Berman. The Created Equal: How the Bible Broke with Ancient Political Thought author explained slavery’s impact on Israelite politics. He opined in interviews that bondage played foundational role in the Israelite nation formation.
This aspect can be understood via the United States’ Declaration of Independence. In order to tie together diverse peoples, the Founding Fathers reached back in time to the world’s creation. Through Humanity’s Creator, they were able to connect all individuals. Irrespective of different levels of economic strata, the American’s shared a commonality. In doing so, the political truth of equality tied the people.
In contrast, the Israelites did not have to reach back that far in time to creation in order to connect. Their immediate experience- slavery- was the means. Their slavery and emancipation was what they shared.
The commonality of slavery, however, differed from the American “created equal” experience. With the Israelites, each individual starting out within the same economic strata. This background may have spurred the embracing of egalitarian ideology with respect to rule making.
Additionally, the strata elimination was momentarily amplified by Mt. Sinai’s collective experience. The collective Children of Israel entered into the covenant- the Ten Commandments- which cemented their national origins.
Thus, Rabbi Berman’s political insights brings an additional perspective to the Passover table.
Be well!!
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