Pesach, the festival of freedom, marks the Jewish people’s escape from slavery in Egypt. But the journey of liberation didn’t end at the Red Sea. Twice the Jewish People entered their homeland and built the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple) and twice it was destroyed by conquering enemies. For centuries since then, Jews have lived in exile, carrying the hope of returning to their ancestral land.
The founding of the State of Israel in 1948 became a modern expression of that ancient dream—a new chapter of Jewish liberation, where a dispersed people took back control of their destiny. The words “Next year in Jerusalem,” recited at every Seder, found real-world fulfillment.
Today, Pesach reminds us that freedom is not just a story of the past, but an ongoing mission. In celebrating Pesach in a sovereign Israel, Jews connect the ancient Exodus with modern rebirth, carrying forward the eternal message of hope, courage, and self-determination.
For me, this Pesach took on extra meaning. I found myself serving our country and people in reserve duty in Gaza. Despite not actually being in Gaza during the holiday, I felt the active liberation that I was involved in, helping free our kidnapped brethren from the tunnels of Hamas and helping free our people from the fear of Hamas being on our border.
Every year I feel Pesach as a personal liberation. I feel a chance to reconnect to my roots and liberate myself from some of the effects modern western society has on me. I feel the tradition of our ancestors in everything we do concerning the holiday and I see the future final liberation getting ever closer to being fulfilled speedily in our days.
Israel in Focus 
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