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The Good Part: Keeping Passover in Perspective

By Sarah Croswell | Comments (4) | Posted on April 10, 2008

With Passover fast approaching and preparations in full swing, it is easy to become overwhelmed and anxious about coordinating two nights of Seder meals all while continuing to honor the weekly Sabbath.

In my opinion Passover is the best and most joyous of all Hashem's appointed times--food, festive meals, the Exodus story, celebrating our freedom, the renewal of life, the onset of Spring, family togetherness--what could be better! This is the time when I want everything to have a distinctive flair; that little extra touch that says this holiday is unlike any other. In our home this means extra cleaning, unpacking the elegant dishes reserved for this occasion, special table decorations, fresh flowers, shopping for unique menu items, preparing lots of food, laying out our finest clothes (ironed not just tumbled dry), and inviting guests with which to share this festive occasion. I admit, I have been stressed and have felt the added pressure of wanting to give this festival special treatment, but that was until I was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha.

Most of you are familiar with how the passage in Luke 10 tells of Martha busying herself making preparations for Yeshua and His disciples while her sister, Mary, sits at the Master's feet listening to His teachings. I always assumed that Martha was rebuked for being busy with her preparations, but upon a closer reading, I came to realize that Yeshua disapproved of her worry and stress over the preparations, not the actual preparations themselves; after all, it is a great mitzvah to be hospitable to guests in one's home. The kernel I gleaned from this passage is found in Yeshua's words, "But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." It doesn't say Martha's part is bad, on the contrary, it was an essential part of extending hospitality, but when Martha became overwhelmed and anxious in her busyness, she lost sight of the reason why she was making such a fuss.

In all my planning and preparations, only one thing is necessary, that I keep the focus of this festival on honoring God and remembering His redeeming love. The long to-do list, while significant for observing and sanctifying the Passover, is all of secondary importance. So I have made an attitude adjustment. I can be busy with the preparations like Martha, but I will not fret over having the perfect Seder. I will choose to sit at the feet of the Master like Mary and learn from Him during this season. I will view the weekly Sabbath at the start of Passover not as an inconvenience, but as a gift of rest from my heavenly Father, a chance to cease from all my efforts and rely upon Him. So what, if the matzah balls are lumpy and the table cloth has a stain? I can rest in knowing that I have chosen the good part, and the closeness to God and joy in my heart that I experience during this time will not be taken away from me.

About the Author: Sarah Croswell is a volunteer for First Fruits of Zion and editor for messiah magazine.

Visitor Comments

Wow. That was excellent Sarah. I can completely relate to your feelings in wanting everything to be just right for Passover. (Let's just say that I am a fan of everything Martha Stewart, but on the flip side she frustrates me with how perfect all of her projects turn out!)

Thank you so much for putting that into perspective while there is still time to readjust outlooks and priorities before Passover.

Posted by: Amy | April 10, 2008 8:44 AM

It is so true, we can easily get distracted with all the preparation to be done to the point of perfection. I will do my part with joy and anticipation. Thank you! Shalom! Shalom!

Posted by: Barbara | April 10, 2008 9:05 AM

Thank you for that beautiful post. I have been busy trying to prepare myself for the Passover, frustrated that my husband doesn't seem as concerned as me (at least about all the little things). All while we have had plastering going on, painting and I'm trying to clean! Today, I finally broke down and was humbled when my husband reminded me of the story of Mary and Martha. Then later on in the day I see the heading of your article and thought, 'I need to be reminded of the good part of Passover'. I couldn't believe what I read. Everything I was feeling and thinking throughout the day. Thank you Sarah for your words to all us crazy/busy wives/moms, and thank you FFOZ for this site. May Hashem bless you. Humbled by His grace, Eva

Posted by: Eva | April 11, 2008 3:06 PM

I am taken by Martha's urging of Jesus to tell Mary what to do. Martha was consumed with her duties, but also by a desire to control Mary.

I often find myself in times of busy holiday preparation - busy controlling details - that I will also want to control people, as if they were details, too. It is the sad state of the human heart that in an effort to be pleasing to God, we object to the worship God gives to others. What could be more displeasing to Him?

Posted by: Amy Baggett | April 13, 2008 8:10 PM

A 3-part Audio teaching series from the FFOZ Conference To Whom Shall We Go?, tackling vital issues facing the Messianic community today.

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