There are times in life when an event so compelling takes place that we are obligated to document it and keep it for future generations. Such an event is the exodus from Egypt, the story we relate over and again, year after year, at the Passover Seder. So how did the Jewish people keep the event relevant through the generations?
A few days ago, in the process of ridding my house of chometz for Passover, I came across a box with old VHS tapes, a few cassettes, and even several floppy disks. I decided to take the box to one of the stores that transfers data from old technology to new. I was happy to learn that VHS and cassettes can be converted easily to DVDs. I suspected floppies would be tricky. The storeowner disappeared into the back area of the shop and, after a while, returned with the welcome news that, indeed, it was possible to convert floppies to DVDs as well. Actually, I don’t even remember what is recorded on those plastic relics, but I figured that since I had kept them for so long, there must be something noteworthy there.
This exercise reminded me of what we experience on Seder night: one generation (let’s call it G1) converts the information it holds in a way that will engage the next generation (G2). This is the major goal of the night. Consider that the Passover Seder is child-focused, designed to inspire young minds. From the four questions to the characterizations of four types of children: the wise, the wicked, the simple, and the one who does not know how to inquire. Year after year, the story captivates the young who, in turn, hold the attention of their own children with the story of slavery to freedom — on and on through thousands of years and generations of families. How the story is told — with words, with pictures, through song and poetry, or even one day with assistance from smart phones or tablets — relies on the creativity of the leader to connect with his listeners in a way they can best process the essence of the Passover story.
Perhaps this is God’s way of helping us to sift through information, constantly keeping it up to date so that when the opportunity presents itself, we are ready to stream it to the next generation.
I hope you enjoyed a happy and thoughtful Passover.

—Rabbi Gadi Capela