The Passover Seder is the most widely observed Jewish ritual around the world. Why? My research tells me that many are drawn to the religious aspects of the observance; others to the family and community elements. Perhaps it is because helping organizations tell their stories is what I do for a living, but I think that it’s the emphasis on story-telling that draws so many into this holiday.
Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in Ancient Egypt. The focal point of the holiday is the
Seder, a fifteen-step family-oriented tradition and ritual-packed feast. At the
seder, participants read from a book called a
Haggadah, which tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
Quick, think of a good story you’ve heard in the last few months, or even years – any story (children’s bedtime story, narrative joke, story in a presentation at work, etc.)
Now think of a couple of good statistics you’ve heard in the last few weeks.
Right?
Stories can have a profound effect on people, and can powerfully affect behavior. People learn best – and change – from hearing stories that strike a chord within them. This is because personal stories feel “real,” unlike abstract concepts, statistics or logical arguments. Stories capture people on an emotional level, creating a deeper, more intimate bond. Stories are memorable. And today when we are drowning in information, good stories can cut through the noise.
According to Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, the most revolutionary aspect of the Passover
Haggadah is that it’s a collage of many different voices, a
collection of stories from the Talmud and a compilation of biblical and liturgical quotations. “The most common misunderstanding is that it’s just the story of the Exodus,” says Cohen, a consultant to Beit Simchat Torah, a gay and lesbian congregation in Manhattan. “One of the most damaging misconceptions in Jewish life is that there is only one version of one story, and that the stories of women’s experiences and those of others who are marginalized because of economics, physical ability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not part of that Jewish story.” The
Haggadah teaches that there isn’t just one story, she says. “That’s the telling we are obligated to continue.”
I think that the popularity of celebrating Passover, and the meaning found in reading and creating new interpretations of the
Haggadah, reveals the revolutionary power of story telling. Recalling the plight of the Israelites helps us figure out how to most meaningfully experience and best appreciate our freedom today. It enables us to define and articulate our own stories - as Jews, as citizens, and as individuals. And it in turn, helps us create and implement a vision for most effectively sharing our stories with others.
Wishing you a Happy & Meaningful Storytelling Holiday.
-E
