The Bitter Herbs

[Bad Thoughts]

This week, Jews around the world will sit down together to celebrate Passover with the first Sedar, a meal as heavy with symbolism as it is with food. The most symbolic ingredients are the Maror, the bitter herbs, usually some manifestation of horseradish bound to clear the sinuses of every living being for miles around. The bitter herbs stand as a reminder of the bitter hardship under Egyptian, combined with haroset (a fruit and nut concotion) and slathered onto pieces of matzah that are made into a sandwich (Korech), becoming the bricks and mortar used to build for their masters.

The memory of that bitterness is central to Passover; it is a remnant of the longing for freedom and the emancipation found in religion. Obama said that "they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy". Interpreting his words depends on how you interpret "clings". But at least in one instance, you cannot say that bitterness is not a motivation for religion. It's there, in the text of the Bible itself. It would be quite condescending to assume that our spirituality ought always be a product of high-mindedness. Indeed, much of the religion is rooted in the hardships of everyday life--a sanctuary therefrom.

As a somewhat spiritual person, I am confused as to why people would take umbrage at Obama's statement. Perhaps most won't understand it, and will withdraw votes in future elections. But to criticize it is to criticize some of the fundamental experiences of Christianity and Judaism. It's as if the people who are offended have never themselves read the Bible. (For that matter, Wright's statements were perfectly in line with the books of prophecy.)

[calimary]

1. Interesting point, and thought-provoking.

It seems those of us with any strains of religion in our backgrounds all resonate to this in some way - just as Barack Obama described.

[Bad Thoughts]

2. Thanks

I think this is hard to remember when are culture has become accustomed to "holding up the cross" just as it "waves the flag."

[calimary]

3. And unfortunately, our culture doesn't really understand what those concepts

mean anymore.

[knixphan]

4. thanks for a thoughtful analysis!