PASSOVER'S REAL PURPOSE BECOMING LOST.

Byline: Eli Hecht

ON Saturday evening, Jews the world over will gather to celebrate Passover. The holiday commemorates the Exodus of the Jews after hundreds of years of slavery from the land of Egypt, more than 3,000 years ago.

The eight-day holiday marks the birth of the Jews as a free people under the leadership of Moses, who is considered the greatest Jewish prophet. The Jewish nation wandered 40 years in the desert before arriving in the land now called Israel.

Families now gather and observe the holiday by reciting the story of enslavement and their miraculous freedom, from a book called the Hagaddah.

The Passover meal is replete with many symbols. The wine represents wealth and happiness. The horseradish - bitter herbs - represent the bitterness of slavery.

Matzo, the unleavened bread, represents bread baked hurriedly by Jews during their departure from Egypt.

Hagaddahs dating back 700 years have been preserved in manuscript form with beautiful artistic illuminations. The first printed Hagaddah was produced in Italy in the year 1485 and is called Machzor Soncino. Since the 16th century the Haggadah has reappeared in countless languages and translations with various illustrations.

The word ``hagaddah'' means narration of the Passover story. It is in accordance with the commandment in the Torah: ``Thou shalt tell thy son that God did this for me when I came out of Egypt'' (Exodus 13.8).

In the narration we are told of four types of children: the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one totally unable to ask questions.

A highlight of the Passover celebration has the children asking four questions. They ask about the traditions of eating the unleavened bread, bitter herbs and the general protocol of that night.

In today's turbulent society, Passover Hagaddahs are being printed by all kinds of movements. Today we find a gay-and-lesbian Haggadah, a communist Hagaddah, a Hagaddah for the anarchist, a Hagaddah for the intermarried and a Hagaddah for Christians celebrating the Jewish Passover.

It is incredible that the message of the Hagaddah, which was meant to be inclusive, is now being used for the very opposite.

Instead of the Hagaddah symbolically bringing the four different kinds of children together, the very opposite has happened. Each child has decided to make his or her own movement, thus destroying the message of Passover's liberation.

The whole idea of this celebration is to be liberated from the enslavement of being labeled different and discriminated against. The coming together of family on Passover is to teach harmony and acceptance of the children no matter what lifestyle or philosophy they possess.

It would be good for us to re-evaluate the message of Passover and to go back to the original Hagaddah text written some 34 centuries ago, when the message of hope, courage and strength to all people was a highlight and common denominator.

Imagine the equality felt by all when the original story is read, conveying a message for all people regardless of gender, creed or race. For me, the message of Passover is freedom and liberation for all.

So this year, instead of bringing your own Hagaddah to the table and making a statement of individuality and independence, find an original and celebrate the holiday as one big, happy family. It's far more important to practice the common denominator of humanity by being liberated from all discrimination. Together we make music and joy.

Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, agnostic, atheist or a ``no label,'' this is your night. Let's all appreciate being liberated from being labeled and stereotyped.