Pesach isn’t just a commemoration of freedom from slavery; it’s a powerful blueprint for personal and professional growth. The story of Yetziat Mitzrayim (the Exodus) is filled with transitions, risks, discomfort, and plenty of breakthroughs – everything that growth actually looks like in real life. So, in the spirit of both tradition and transformation, here are a few Pesach-inspired principles I’d share with anyone looking to break through limits and level up in business, mindset, and life.
Just Leave Egypt
One of the most striking parts of the Exodus story is how quickly the Jewish people had to leave – with no time to prepare, no plan for provisions, and no certainty about what comes next. That’s life. Most opportunities won’t wait for you to feel “ready.” We get stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the perfect conditions to make a move – but freedom begins the moment you stop negotiating with yourself and your self-imposed limited beliefs. Pack your bags, grab a snack, and go.
Burn the Chametz
Chametz represents ego, excess, and inflation – not just in our homes but in our minds and deeds. Before you can experience real abundance, you have to create space. What behaviors, habits, or relationships are puffed-up incumbrances in your life? Alternatively, what narratives are you telling yourself that keep you small? Burn the chametz. Let go of what’s ballooned or stale to make room for what’s meaningful.
Tell the Story
The entire Seder is structured around storytelling. We are instructed to see ourselves as if we personally left Egypt. That’s not nostalgia – it’s identity. In business and in life, you need to know your story. What drives you? Why do you get up in the morning and push through hard things? If you can’t connect to your “why,” you will struggle to stay consistent when the challenges come … and they always do.
Reclining Is a Requirement
At the Seder, we recline like royalty. Why? Because how you act impacts how you think. Too many people are waiting to “make it” before they give themselves permission to relax, to lead, or to live with abundance. But freedom isn’t something you earn – it’s something you claim. Start behaving like someone who is already free, already worthy, and already achieving their next milestone. Your mindset shift is half the battle.
The Plague of Darkness
Makat Choshech wasn’t just a physical darkness but a debilitating state. The Egyptians were paralyzed. They couldn’t see themselves, they couldn’t see others, and they couldn’t move. In today’s world, darkness often shows up as doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs. The cure? Awareness. Motion. Surrounding yourself with light. Find people who can see your potential when you can’t … Family. Mentors. Community. You can’t grow in the dark – find the light switch.
Do Dayenu
We sing Dayenu to acknowledge each miracle on the journey, even if it had stopped there. Too often, we only celebrate the end goal and forget to honor the small wins along the way. In business, in growth, and in development, progress happens in stages. Acknowledge each one. Gratitude multiplies growth. Appreciate what you have and what you have achieved.
Pesach isn’t just about what happened — it’s about what’s still happening. Freedom isn’t a historical event; it’s a daily decision. This Yom Tov, ask yourself: What’s my personal Mitzrayim – and what’s the step I need to take to leave it? Wishing you a Chag Sameach, full of clarity, courage, and meaningful change.
Would you rather experience one day of slavery in Egypt or one night of wandering in the desert? I’d love to hear your answer! Please let me know if you have a good “Would you rather” question, and we will highlight your submission.
Shmuel Shayowitz (NMLS#19871) is a highly regarded Real Estate & Finance Executive, Writer, Speaker, Coach, and Advisor. He is President and Chief Lending Officer of Approved Funding, a privately held national mortgage banker and direct lender. Shmuel has over twenty years of industry experience, holding numerous licenses and accreditations, including certified mortgage underwriter, licensed real estate agent, residential review appraiser, and accredited investor, to name a few. Shmuel has successfully navigated through many changing markets and business landscapes, making his market insights and experience well-coveted within the real estate industry. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
