One aspect of the Pesach seder I’ve always admired is its focus on asking questions. On Pesach, we’re not asked to showcase our knowledge, but rather our gaps in knowledge. A primary example of this appears within the Four Questions, which I had the honor of reciting each year while growing up. We incorporate these questions into the seder to acknowledge that there are things in life that puzzle us, and it’s ok to not have all of the answers. After the Four Questions, the Haggadah goes on to say, “Even if we all were wise, and perceptive, experienced, and versed in Torah, it would still be our duty to tell about the Exodus from Egypt.” It’s clear from this passage that humility is of fundamental value at the seder, and everyone is treated equally regardless of their level of knowledge. 

Humility is also emphasized in Mem Global’s pluralistic mission. At Mem Global, we have program participants with a variety of backgrounds, and we invite everyone to share the traditions that are meaningful to them. If we’re unfamiliar with someone’s tradition, we take it as an opportunity to learn and grow. An example of this arose at a Mem Global Retreat I recently attended, where our participants taught one another new tunes for Kabbalat Shabbat prayers. It was so delightful to see everyone actively engage in the service, even if it wasn’t something they were very familiar with. 

What are some questions you would like to ask during this Pesach season?  

How can you work to facilitate safe spaces for others in your network to ask more questions and embrace humility?