Taking the Long Way Around
Plus: why do we keep kosher, and a Passover-friendly salad
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April 3, 2026 // 16 Nisan, 5785
After leaving Egypt, the Israelites spend 40 years walking through the desert. Along that journey, a lot of good things happen (receiving the Torah, building the Tabernacle, Manna from heaven), but some quite terrible things happen as well (a whole generation dying in the desert, the Golden Calf, general moments of fear and trauma).
Through it all, and to this day, one thing stays consistent: we tell our stories. We reflect on our history, share it with our children, and ensure that the tale of our people continues.
Telling our stories—the ones from the 20th century CE and the 20th century BCE—may be repetitive and monotonous, but it also is critical. Think of all the moments in your life, the choices you made, that led you right to where you are right now. Every point along our journey matters, even the steps backward, even the ones we would never repeat if given a second chance. The Torah takes the time to painstakingly recount each step of the Israelites’ journey from Exodus to Israel to remind us that everything that has come before is a building block to everything that is happening now. Change is the only constant.
The Torah could have started with the Israelites entering the promised land. Or it could have skipped from emancipation from slavery to revelation at Sinai to entering Canaan—all the peak moments. But it doesn’t skip the tough moments; it says the quiet parts aloud. But also, the Torah offers two pieces of solace. One: we are not alone. Our parent (lower case “p”) and Parent (upper case “p”)—our family writ small and the Jewish family writ large–will walk with us through the wilderness. Two: harvesting stories and keeping communal and family memory close fuels us and reminds us that journeying is only one part of what it means to be alive, that there also is joy and potential in even just the boring, humdrum days. That’s what can get us through the difficult moments.
Listen
Is it Kosher to question Kashrut?
A listener writes, “Why do Jews have Kosher rules? And how would you suggest a previously unobservant Jew approach Kashrut, if at all?”
Rabbi Shira admits that teaching the laws of kashrut is one of the hardest things she has to do as a rabbi. She does her best to make sense of it all and gives her best pitch for a mindfulness-based Jewish eating practice.
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Before we go
Passover food doesn’t have to be boring (though we won’t hate on a good piece of matzo with butter). Check out this crispy broccoli and chickpea salad with tahini-date dressing for a good side, starter, or main dish.
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Shabbat Shalom Chutzsquad!