Rabbi Gold's Blog

Whatever kind of seder you have, I hope it’s a good one – and I hope you sing “Hatikvah” as part of it.

Surely we live in a remarkable chapter of the story of Jewish national liberation that started in Egypt. After all, we live in a generation that knows a State of Israel. I hope your seder doesn’t get mired in political diatribes or posturing. But I do hope that part of your story this year includes the breathtaking tale of freedom that unfolded before our very eyes: the drama of Gilad Shalit, who, after 5 ½ years as a hostage behind enemy lines, actually was freed and returned home. Can we possibly imagine what the Shalit family seder will be like this year? Talk about knowing the meaning, and the preciousness, of freedom!

As I say, avoid political diatribes. But I could imagine a lively seder discussion on the ethics of releasing 1,000 convicted terrorists in exchange for Gilad. And sing Hatikvah, in recognition that our generation is a bit more free, and far more blessed, for having a State of Israel. (When in the seder should you do it? Probably towards the end, after Elijah’s arrival, just before or just after the promise, “Next year in Jerusalem.”) If you need the words, and even the melody, you can find them here, and you can hear the children of Shir Tikva singing Hatikvah here. 

“Our hope is not lost: To be a free people in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.” Chag Samayach!