New York, Purim 5754
Reprinted from Cong Kehilath Jacob News

FROM PURIM TO PESACH

We Jewish people cannot live without holidays. A lot
of anti-Semites have accused us of being a sad nation.
But you see, my dear friends. the foremost anti-Semite,
Brother Haman, knew us better. He complained that he
couldn't stand the Jews because they have so many
holidays. In fact, every seventh day is a holiday. So a
voice came from heaven and said, "Haman, brother,
thank you so much. Because of you, I'll add another
holiday."

Pesach is exactly four weeks after Purim. And the
Gemarah says that we are going from redemption
(Purim) to redemption (Pesach). We need redemption
on two levels. First, knowing that we Jews are here
forever and G-d is here forever and everything holy is
here forever and loving people is forever and the Torah
is here forever and ever. Then there is one more level,
just knowing that no one is master without G-d.

So Purim, as I celebrate my eternity, will give me the
strength to celebrate Pesach with the utmost freedom,
without any master over me, I shall be only a servant of
G-d.

Purim, I am redeemed from the slavery of Time. We
Jews are here forever. On Pesach, I am redeemed from
the slavery of civilization, of ideas. of people, even of
my own ideas and even of my own past.

Seder night we are in Jerusalem. Everybody knows the
first night of Pesach, clouds came and took us from
Egypt to Jerusalem.

Purim -- what is shining into me is that I'm a Jew.
Pesach -- what is shining into me is that I'm a servant
of G-d.

Can't wait for the real redemption, which is even
deeper,

Gut Yomtov! Your brother,
                                    Shlomo Carlebach