Passover is coming - it seems that everyone knows something about the holiday and remembers something about how it was celebrated when they were growing up. It’s still one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays.
But what exactly is the central message of the holiday?
Freedom? Overcoming obstacles? These themes are definitely relevant, but I’d argue that the central theme and message is actually something entirely different.
Everyone knows the last of the Ten Plagues, Death of the Firstborn; but while it would have made sense to begin warning about the first plagues, did you know that Moses warned Pharaoh about that last plague right from the very start? G-d told Moses to communicate to Pharaoh that the “Children of Israel are my firstborn and if you won’t let them out,” G-d said “I will kill your firstborn.”
G-d was communicating to Pharaoh that the Jewish people are His “firstborn,” and if Pharaoh continues to harm His first born, then Pharaoh’s first born would be threatened.
Through the Exodus we were born as a people and collectively became the “Firstborn Son” of G-d. It’s an interesting phenomenon, the Firstborn Son of G-d, what exactly does that mean?
Consider this: The oldest child in a family is often treated differently than the other children. Parents expect the oldest child to help out around the house, often more so than their younger siblings; they’re often held to a higher standard (“You should know better, you’re older”) than their siblings and their younger siblings often look up to them as a role model. (I can speak from experience because I’m the eldest child in my family...).
Like it or not, the eldest sibling is viewed in many ways as the bridge between generations and is expected to take more responsibility and is often held more accountable by his/her parents.
Eldest siblings often have a difficult time finding their place, on the one hand they are a child yet at the same time they are considered a role model and have greater responsibility. If they try to exploit their position, they’re reminded that they are not the parent; if they try to avoid some responsibility, they’re reminded that they’re the oldest. It can be a difficult position to be in.
Bottom line, what does it mean to be the “Firstborn Son of G-d”? It means that we are the bridge between G-d and the rest of the world. We have a heightened responsibility and are more accountable than our “siblings.” And when something goes wrong, we’re the first to be blamed…
So, what is the central theme of Passover? That we have a responsibility to the rest of the world to act as the “Firstborn Son.” We are the ones who have the privilege and responsibility of connecting G-d’s ideals and values with the world. Our job is to be the living example of how an ideal human being acts, both physically and spiritually.
Yes, it’s possible for the eldest child to be resented by the younger siblings, and this is true about us too. However, in a healthy family environment, as the family matures the rest of the siblings come to have an appreciation for their oldest sibling.