Obama marks Easter holiday and Jewish Passover as time to celebrate redemption (Barf)

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is marking the Easter holiday and Jewish Passover, calling it a "time to celebrate redemption at God's hand."

Obama says in his weekly radio and Internet address the holidays help connect Americans to their past and "give us strength as we face the future."

Well, this is a bit off topic, but I got this from a Jewish friend yesterday. In its way it reminds us that Passover—and also Good Friday through Easter—marks a confrontation with suffering and evil as well as a time of joy and celebration.

And I think it’s more in the spirit of Passover and Easter than Obama.

Our Passover Things

(To be sung to the tune of “My favorite things”, from The Sound of Music)

Cleaning and cooking and so many dishes
Out with the hametz, no pasta, no knishes
Fish that’s gefiltered,
horseradish that stings
These are a few of our Passover things.

Matzoh and karpas and chopped up haroset
Shankbones and kidish and Yiddish neuroses
Tante who kvetches and uncle who sings
These are a few of our Passover things.

Motzi and maror and trouble with Pharoahs
Famines and locusts and slaves with wheelbarrows
Matzoh balls floating and eggshell that clings
These are a few of our Passover things.

CHORUS

When the plagues strike
When the lice bite
When we’re feeling sad
We simply remember our Passover things
And then we don’t feel so bad.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/04/06/weekly-address-easter-and-passover-greetings-president-obama

For Immediate Release April 07, 2012 WEEKLY ADDRESS: Easter and Passover Greetings from President Obama

WASHINGTON, DC—President Obama used this week’s address to offer his warmest greetings to all who are celebrating Easter and Passover this weekend, and to reflect on the common thread of humanity that binds us together. President Obama wishes all Americans a joyful weekend focused on the wonders of our individual traditions as well as the values that unite us all.

Remarks of President Barack Obama Weekly Address The White House April 7, 2012

For millions of Americans, this weekend is a time to celebrate redemption at God’s hand. Tonight, Jews will gather for a second Seder, where they will retell the story of the Exodus. And tomorrow, my family will join Christians around the world as we thank God for the all-important gift of grace through the resurrection of His son, and experience the wonder of Easter morning.

These holidays have their roots in miracles that took place thousands of years ago. They connect us to our past and give us strength as we face the future. And they remind us of the common thread of humanity that connects us all.

For me, and for countless other Christians, Easter weekend is a time to reflect and rejoice. Yesterday, many of us took a few quiet moments to try and fathom the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for all of us. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the resurrection of a savior who died so that we might live.

And throughout these sacred days, we recommit ourselves to following His example. We rededicate our time on Earth to selflessness, and to loving our neighbors. We remind ourselves that no matter who we are, or how much we achieve, we each stand humbled before an almighty God.

Christ’s triumph over death holds special meaning for Christians. But all of us, no matter how or whether we believe, can identify with elements of His story. The triumph of hope over despair. Of faith over doubt. The notion that there is something out there that is bigger than ourselves.

These beliefs help unite Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. They shape our values and guide our work. They put our lives in perspective.

So to all Christians celebrating the Resurrection with us, Michelle and I want to wish you a blessed and Happy Easter. And to all Americans, I hope you have a weekend filled with joy and reflection, focused on the things that matter most. God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

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