Passover (Pesach) begins this year on Saturday night, April 12, and lasts for eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, with over 70% of Jewish Americans participating in a Seder. Regardless of one’s level of observance, Pesach serves as a time for Jewish families and friends to unite in a meaningful and festive celebration.
From its inception, the observance of Pesach emphasized community. The Torah commands that the Korban Pesach, the Paschal lamb, be shared: “If the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his neighbor who lives nearby shall take one together” (Shemot 12:4). Moreover, any leftover meat was to be burned the next day (Shemot 12:10), ensuring that the entire offering was consumed in a communal setting. Since a single lamb was too much for one person or even a small family to eat alone, the Torah effectively encouraged people to join together in groups, reinforcing bonds of kinship and friendship.
This theme extends beyond Pesach into the broader Jewish tradition of sacrificial offerings. In Parshat Tzav, we read about the thanksgiving offering (korban todah), which had to be eaten on the same day it was brought: “It must be eaten on the day of its offering; he shall not leave any of it until morning” (Vayikra 7:15). The Sages derive that this time constraint applied to many other offerings, including the guilt offering (asham). Given the large size of these sacrifices—sometimes entire bulls—it would have been impossible for one person to consume them alone. The Torah’s message is clear: Sacrificial meals were intended to be shared, transforming an individual act of devotion into a communal celebration.
Judaism has always placed a strong emphasis on communal life. Our synagogues are called batei knesset—houses of gathering—rather than batei tefillah, houses of prayer, underscoring their role as centers of Jewish communal life. Beyond prayer, synagogues serve as places for joyous celebrations, such as bar mitzvahs, weddings and brit milah ceremonies.
Pirkei Avot teaches, “Do not separate yourself from the community” (2:5), and the Talmud states, “All Jews are responsible for one another” (Shavuot 39a). Rabbi Yaakov Klass likened the Jewish people to a single body, explaining that just as no limb functions in isolation, neither do we—our well-being is interconnected.
This lesson holds particular relevance as we age. Studies show that strong social connections lead to better health, increased activity and enhanced emotional well-being. Beyond these physical benefits, a sense of community provides purpose and support, reinforcing the Torah’s wisdom in promoting togetherness.
A central moment of the Seder is the singing of Dayenu, a song of gratitude that thanks Hashem for each step of our redemption. Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis, a”h, noted that while human nature often leads us to express thanks in broad terms, Dayenu teaches us to appreciate each and every individual blessing. Despite our challenges, we need to appreciate and say thank you for our health. We need to say thank you for our spouses. We need to be grateful for our children. We need to be grateful that, despite the stresses, we still have a job. We have a home to return to and a bed to rest in. We especially need to be grateful that we have family and friends that are near and dear to us who are celebrating this most joyous of holidays, Pesach, together.
This perspective is crucial in our daily lives. Despite our daily challenges and stressors, we must take time to express gratitude for our health, our families, our jobs and the homes we return to each day. Recognizing these blessings fosters a sense of joy and contentment. By breaking down our gratitude into specific elements, we cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation for everything we have.
Perhaps this deep appreciation for family and community explains why Pesach remains the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday. As we gather around our Seder tables, we are not only retelling the story of our ancestors’ redemption—we are strengthening the bonds that unite us today.
May this Pesach season bring joy and fulfillment to all Jews, regardless of background or level of observance. May Hashem bless us with the ability to say Dayenu—to recognize and count our blessings, one by one—especially the blessings of family and community.
Chag Pesach Sameach!
Rabbi Dr. Avi Kuperberg is a forensic, clinical psychologist and is a member of the American Psychology-Law Society. He serves as the President of Congregation Torah Ohr in Boca Raton, Florida. He can be reached at [email protected].
