04/14/2020
Covid -19: An interfaith Plea
New York
On April 8th social media exploded with images of beautiful Seder plates, Hebrew greetings, photos of Menorahs, the star of David and some cartoons of the plagues that imagined that the biblical characters were wearing masks through the Exodus. Passover is one of the highest of holidays for Jews, a time to rejoice the redemption of the Jewish people. A holiday commemorating the Hebrews' liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites, when the Lord “smote the land of Egypt” on the eve of the Exodus. The deep and profound holiday that occurs every year is a time when Jews were redeemed by God, it was when God unleashed nine plagues upon the Egyptians including turning the Nile River red with blood, diseased livestock, boils, hailstorms and three days of darkness, culminating in the slaying of every firstborn son by an avenging angel. I wondered how we would celebrate the redemption of a people when we were surrounded by the thick of the Covid-19 virus, a plague? How were Jews going to see this irony this year? Jews celebrated and rejoiced everywhere while they were locked down by the virus, and some went out to feed the poor, help the sick and gave to so many through the holiday. They helped others in commemorating their own salvation from a terrible plague.
On April 12th we witnessed pale blue, pink and yellow images of Easter in the media decorated with the iconic rabbits, decorated eggs, home -made baskets and biblical verses. All symbols of rebirth and renewal. We paused to wish everyone a Happy Easter virtually. Families gathered via technology to wish one another and sit around the table to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the month of Lent Christians are encouraged to find their own method of confronting our sinfulness, remembering their mortality, and giving thanks for the gift of salvation received through life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This too kept me wondering how we could celebrate a holiday of salvation while we were under quarantine especially in New York. Watching the numbers of dead increase by the day, where was the God of salvation and redemption, I wondered? Yet, Jews and Christians carried on to celebrate and wish one another the blessings of a sacred holiday with Zoom Seders and a touching live performance from the Duomo of Milan by Andrea Bocelli that brought tears to our soul.
The virus has given us the moment to pause, reflect and ask questions of salvation, redemption and about who we are as people of faith and no faith. The value of God has resurfaced amidst the thick blanket of the virus with some making proclamations and others asking for health and forgiveness. On April 24th, 1.5 billion Muslims will begin the month of Ramadan, the holiest month of fasting, reflecting, withdrawing inward and recalling the last message of God: Qur’an. This year because of the lockdown many Muslims will be affected by the lack of congregational prayers, socializing for Ifthar (breaking of the fast), With regards to the ban on congregational prayers, the Taraweeh prayers also wouldn’t stay intact which are the special evening prayers, won’t be followed within the mosques and 27th Ramadan, which is the night of blessings, won’t also be as regular as it was. Amid the lockdown to stay socially distant, lightening or the sermons at homes or at the mosques won’t be possible. However, I feel that this Ramadan will be more powerful in light of how we take for granted not just food, safety and comfort but the love of human beings, families and most important the poor and unhealthy. Many people have been stuck in their homes under quarantine measures with unemployment their needs for food and clothing have increased a lot. Ramadan creates a perfect atmosphere in which people with essential revenues can move to support others in order to cover their needs, it is the most charitable time for Muslims around the world. These months might turn out to be the power of human change and charity. Let us be strong through these holidays and meditate on how the three traditions can support one another?
Each holiday has transformative messages of power of change, forgiveness, redemption, renewal and charity attached to them and my interfaith plea is to listen to one another deeply as we move through the virus that has impacted the world regardless of religion, nationality, gender and economy. Everyone not just Jews, Christians and Muslims are all affected and we are all working courageously at the forefront of the crisis. This “pause” could be a moment where we shed our differences that lie deep in our interreligious history to overcome what stands amongst us because this virus that doesn’t discriminate.
