How Passover underscores the importance of education and routine kindness: Opinion
As we conclude the Passover season, there are three events that really stand out for me. The 11th of Nissan, the Passover Seders and the Final Day of Passover, which falls out on this coming Shabbat, April 23.
The 11th of Nissan (April 12) was Education and Sharing Day – USA, which celebrated 120 years since the birth of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory. In 1978, the U.S. Congress asked President Carter to designate the Rebbe's birthday as the National Education and Sharing Day. Each year since, on the date coinciding with his Hebrew day, the president issues a proclamation that calls on American citizens to follow the example set by the Rebbe and focus on education, service, and betterment of society. This year, more elected officials than ever joined in marking this important day, including the cities of Louisville and Lexington, and the Kentucky State Government as well.
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In an increasingly polarized society so rife with discord, one thing we can all agree on is the need to do more when it comes to education. Perhaps a good place to start is by asking ourselves: Does the education we are giving our children encourage them to look beyond the pursuit of knowledge and obtain a good career? Does it highlight the privilege and imperative of service, of making a meaningful contribution to society?
It takes a certain type of education to generate such a response in the moment of truth. An education that is not “limited to the acquisition of knowledge and preparation for a career, but also focuses on creating a better living for society as a whole.” This is the theme of Education and Sharing Day.
Passover began with its famous Seder nights, filled with recounting and reliving the story of the Exodus from Egypt and celebrating our freedom to serve God, a freedom that we have never since lost.
The eighth and final day of Passover had its own focus: the Utopian future of the Messianic era, when “nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” As the world reels from the devastating effects of conflict, it was especially meaningful to join together and focus on celebrating the future era of peace.
While our world is still very much an imperfect place, if we look beneath the surface, we can see that we are already on the path toward a more perfect world. Yes, there is still war between nations, but it is condemned by the vast majority of the globe, as peace is valued now more than ever. Yes, there is still illness, but modern medical advances are bringing hope to millions. On the last day of Passover, we focus on finding the goodness that is already in the world, bringing the serenity and calm of the Utopian future for which we hope into our lives today.
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In an effort to ensure that the energy and enthusiasm of Passover is not lost, Chabad will be launching an exciting new community-wide initiative dubbed “ARK” ( Acts of Routine Kindness), encouraging citizens of the commonwealth to pick up a yellow ‘ARK’ charity box to have in their homes, and to educate their families about the importance of making an impact, whether that be placing a penny in the charity box each day or finding other acts of random and routine kindness, turning us all into givers.
May we take the time to recognize the miracles of God throughout our lives, and it is my prayerful wish that each of us tries to prioritize education and find opportunities to support others in our community and beyond. May our acts of love usher in the Messianic Era, when we will have peace throughout the land, and Almighty God finally says Dayenu, you have done enough to improve the world and bring the Moshiach, speedily in our days, amen.
To obtain an ARK for yourself, your family, your school, your business, or your local community, please email shmully@chabadky.com.
Rabbi Shmully Litvin is the Director of Education at Chabad of Kentucky and teaches at Louisville Jewish Day School, LBSY Hebrew School and the Jewish Learning Center.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: How Passover underscores education and routine kindness: Opinion
