Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Vice-Chair of the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus

On Guard!

When I was a child, my mother told me that the full bedtime Sh’ma need not be recited on Seder night. It was a time of special divine protection. The Torah states: “It is a night of watching-vigil (leil SHiMuRim) for the Eternal, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; this night is for the Eternal One, a watching-vigil for all the Children of Israel, throughout their generations” (Exodus 12.42).

The word stem of SH-M-R (guard, watch) occurs twice in this verse. One tradition suggests that this redemptive night in Biblical time would become a redemption moment in the future. Anticipating the Holocaust, another commentator imagines that there can be an “eclipse” of God; the Holy One and the Jewish people are each on guard, watching for the full moon of transformation. A medieval scholar says that just as God was watching during the night, so the people of Israel should remain awake during the meal and into the night.

Because the Talmud identified Seder night as a time of protection from evil forces,later generations would open house doors (this later became identified with Elijah). But during darker times, periods of pogroms and blood accusations, Pesah became a time of vigilance. In 17th century Poland, Rabbi Avraham Gumbiner taught that during periods of danger, doors should be closed for safety,because we shouldn’t rely on miracles.

This Pesah, our doors must be closed to protect ourselves against possible infection. Even with faith that God is with us during difficult and dark nights, even while yearning for a future redemptive time, we shouldn’t rely on miracles. This is a leil SHiMuRim, a night to be on guard, in social isolation, so that we will enjoy many future Pesah celebrations with those we love.