Lee Diamond – Why can’t we let Go?
In just a few days
We will be declaring that:
“In every generation
THEY Tried to destroy us”
Why can’t we just
Marvel in our freedom?
Why can’t we simply
Appreciate our freedom?
Why can’t we celebrate
The renewed state of Israel?
Why dwell on the past?
Why doesn’t the Seder
Mention the change in
Our fate –as a nation?
Why not emphasize the
Second part of this sentence?
“But the Holy One saved us
From their hands’
“They tried to kill us
But the Holy One saved
Us from their hands”
Why suffer ?
Why not proclaim
Joy and appreciation
For redemption
From the eternal slavery and
Pogrom and holocaust
Of our people?
Why not learn
Never to oppress
Others ?
Why not be the leaders
In this world
For releasing the bonds
Of slavery for all oppressed peoples
As we declare at the beginning
Of the Seder “
“Let all join us !
In our Seder
Rich and poor
In celebration
Of freedom”
Rather than declaring
Fear of the other?
Is the Seder a celebration
Of Freedom from oppression?
Or a warning
That it will happen again?
As it always has?
Perhaps the final words
Of this passage
“But the Holy One saves us
From their Hands’
Answers this question!
We suffer
God saves
God delivers
And again and again
We suffer—
And The Holy One
Will deliver?
Perhaps that’s the message
“Be strong and of good courage’
Because we are now on holy ground”
BUT BEWARE!
Don’t let go!