Humanistic Etiquette, Freedom, Peace & The Breaking Of MatzahVoices

I am writing this piece as an additional submission to my regular monthly column. Both the holiday and humanistic etiquette have prompted me to write this piece.

I went back to my hometown of Boston to celebrate Passover with my family. However, someone very special to me was left all alone on Passover. It was beyond my control (not my house, not my place to invite) and it broke my heart. The person who was hosting the sedar was afraid that a particular guest would not be able to deal with him being there.

I am so saddened by this state of affairs. Especially when we are supposed to be celebrating a holiday in the spirit of freedom, and it is overcast by who we left behind. Even as the Hebrews fled Egypt, the moment was darkened by the slaying of the first born and all that was abandoned. I recall that Moses first asked Pharaoh nicely, in an effort to try peaceful diplomacy before things got messy. “Please, let my people go.”

It is essential to note that all rules of etiquette and protocol share a common denominator: they are all meant to express a show of respect. Respect maintains peace. If we follow this train of thought to the nth degree, it can be said that wars are caused by breakdowns in respect.