Not every Haggadah comes with an endorsement by the environmentalist Bill McKibben, but this edition celebrates the natural world and its significance in our lives as we come together to celebrate Passover.It is intended for both knowledgeable and unfamiliar participants. The traditional text, largely in English, is printed in green; ecological commentary, context, and sidebars, emphasizing nature and the land, are printed in black and are intended to encourage discussion. An interesting inclusion in this Haggadah are the last two verses of the Magid (Deuteronomy26:910), omitted in the traditional text:Adonaigave us this land, asignificant message for this ecological retelling. In abrief discussion the author explores the reasons for the omission and the importance of their inclusion here. The illustrations by Galia Goodman enrich thetexts. --Maron L. Waxman, The Jewish Book Council
In an era when a plethora of haggadot are being published for diverse audiences, Rabbi Ellen Bernstein has given us a marvelous new contribution in an ecological vein.The Promise of the Landis a work of creative liturgy . . .The Promise of the Landis also a work of eco-philosophy.Bernsteins primary challenge in creating an ecologically oriented haggadah was to connect freedomthe central idea of the haggadahto the earth. She has done this quite successfully. By reclaiming two land-centered verses from the original instructions for Passover that had been abandoned for millennia, and reading them ecologically,Bernstein has sparked a radical way of considering the meaning of the Hebrew aretz. In the introduction to her haggadahshe discusses howaretz, which can mean both land and earth, must be understood as a living organism, not as flat, inert stuff, not as territory or real estate, nor as the land of Israel solely.
To my mind, this is a simple but brilliant move. This bold step in re-translation and rethinking allows us to look at earth and land from the prism of balance, reciprocal relationships, and care. . .
The Seder Bernstein envisions does not thrust us headfirst into the climate emergency. It is not a Climate Emergency or Scorching Earth Seder. Rather it reminds us to free ourselves from the internal Pharaoh of overconsumption and once we have liberated ourselves fromthatenslavement we can move into guardianship of the land, as imagined in LeopoldsSand County Almanac.
Throughout the haggadah, Bernstein offers pungent and highly-selective texts that encourage us to care for creation. She also offers poignant, deep ecological gems along the way.. .
Another virtue of BernsteinsPromiseis that it serves as a beautiful example of Hiddur Mitzvahadorning a commandment. It is gorgeously illustrated by Galia Goodman whose work lifts up the haggadah by offering a visual midrash. Further enhancing its artistry, the haggadah is color-coded and user-friendly, not burdensome, with traditional text and new commentary that manages to be both brief and stimulating. Bernstein integrates natural scientific explanations of miracles without subtracting from the mythopoetic impact of the story. Her work ismidrashicin the best sense, of seeking to extract or should I say divine the meaning of the Seder for our times.
It is a haggadah in the spirit of Abraham Joshua Heschel.
The Promise of the Landis a Seder for all Jews and friends and carries a critical and essential message for our time, echoing ourShmita-conscious ancestors:It is incumbent uponustoworkto fulfill the promise of the land, in loving cooperation with our Creator. It is perhaps the most potent and timely re-imagining of the Pesach message in the last few years. Here Rabbi Ellen Bernstein has made her mark. This literary work of art joins that of scholars and artists who are producing excellent new liturgies and eco-philosophies throughout North America, Europe, and Israel. InThe Promise of the Land, we have the perfect blueprint for a truly integrated, holistic, and practical Seder. --Rabbi Jonathon Seidel, PhD, spiritual leader of Or haGan, Eugene Oregon
