As we approach the seder night and retell the story of our exodus from Egypt it is important for us to consider our personal redemption as well. Not only have we all experienced hardships in life that we have been redeemed from, but we continue to entrap ourselves. We all have bad attributes, negative traits and unhealthy desires that entrap us. We need to spend time on Pesach to think how we can free ourselves from these internal struggles.

A few weeks ago I broke my foot and have been in a cast since this week. After the doctor removed the cast I realized that my foot was still tense and I basically continued to hold my foot in the exact same position that it was in when it was in a cast. The position that my foot was in was not the normal and comfortable position that one would normally hold their foot in, but nevertheless I continued to hold my foot in that position. I realized that since my foot had been held in that position for so long my body continued in that same pattern even though it was an uncomfortable position.

I think this is a good parable for our internal struggles. Through life we develop certain beliefs, routines, traits and modes of action. Although when we first adopt them they may be the correct way of acting or thinking as progress in life and situations change we need to re-evaluate if we are still doing the right thing and acting in the proper way. Many times we continue to hold on to our old ways simply because they have become the norm for us. Even in cases when following our old ways may objectively be uncomfortable and irrational we are too stuck in our ways to really make the right change. We need to first realize that we are not trapped by our past ways and thoughts. Once we realize this we can begin to make the appropriate changes and free ourselves.

May all of our brothers and sisters have a health and speedy recovery!

Happy Passover to everyone and Shabbat Shalom,

Heath