The Experience of Slavery

April 06, 2006

Passover tells of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery. This experience of slavery defines and molds our entire religion. Often, the Torah commands, "You shall not oppress a stranger." Why? "Because you know the feelings of the stranger. You were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Furthermore, we are commanded to leave gleanings in the field for the poor, to support the orphan, the widow and the stranger. Why? "Because you were slaves in the land of Egypt."

The fact that we were slaves in Egypt seems to be the rationale for Judaism's insistence that all people are created equal, that slavery is wrong, that all humans deserve to be treated with dignity, that we as Jews and as human beings need to fight oppression. In fact, another name for Passover is Z'man Cheruteinu - "the Season of Our Liberation."