Passover v.2010

As we head into the Passover season I thought I would borrow a theme from the seder to illustrate a point. During the recitation of the haggada we talk about four sons with different qualities and their approach to inquiry regarding the uniqueness of Passover night. Since the retelling of the Passover story is too long I will truncate my rendition to two sons regarding their relationship to their parents. The first son is obedient and the second is rebellious.

The obedient son is caring to his parents and has values very much in common with his parents. He appreciates the sacrifices his parents have endured for him and does not talk badly about his parents either directly to them or behind their back. The son realizes he is dependent on his parents and thus is grateful for what he receives and is very careful about avoiding anything that would upset his parents. When they do disagree the son usually bows to the pressure of his parents.

The rebellious son has no respect for his parents and regardless of what the parents have done or are willing to do for him, he is not willing to engage in a mutually respectful relationship. He has no respect for his parents beliefs and he feels that only his beliefs and practices are correct. His actions are deliberately provocative to his parents as if he is tempting his parents to retaliate. He persists on testing the limits of his parents patience.

What would one expect to be the approach of the parents to these diametrically opposed sons? Obviously, praise for the obedient son and condemnation for the rebellious son. The rebellious son deserves to be scolded and punished for his actions in the hope that he will change his ways. But with dysfunctional parents you might see a scenario where the parents take the obedient son for granted. They know he will always be respectful because that is his nature and temperament and thus treat him with contempt and with disregard. The parents understand that this relationship will always be maintained and can never be severed so they have no problem dictating to their obedient son how he should act even if it is not what the son desires or perhaps detrimental to him.

Regarding the rebellious son, the dysfunctional parents are so desperate to have a relationship with the him that they are scared to repudiate his beliefs and actions in the fear that this will push him further away. They walk on egg shells whenever they approach. They always have their hand out waiting for the son to see things their way and give up his destructive pattern of behavior. They offer him prizes if and when he will change. They fear to place any demands on him with the fear that it will exacerbate the tenuous relationship.

These two sons represent Israel and Iran with the United States as the parents. Instead of support for Israel, the administration is quick to criticize any actions that may be seen as questionable and will not see things from the point of view of the Israelis, a strong and dependable ally. Iran is treated with kid gloves as it proceeds with its march to nuclear capabilities. This is truly upside down and reflects the dysfunctional nature of this administration's policies.

Ultimately, what do the two sons do if this dysfunctional relationship continues? The obedient son finally says I've had it, enough with these parents who do not appreciate me. This son ultimately moves away from his dysfunctional parents as they are not dependable to be there for him and he takes matters into his own hands. On the other hand, the rebellious son continues to become more radical as there is no consequence to his actions.

This administration has turned US middle east policy into one of appeasement towards Iran and criticism towards Israel. This is dysfunctional policy and will ultimately lead to an outcome exactly the reverse of what is in the best interest of this country and the world.

The Passover story is not just a historical remembrance. In it we describe how in every generation forces stand up against us to destroy us but at the end we are saved. It is clear in our own generation who the actors are. Hopefully, in our generation's battle, a similar outcome results in our redemption and the rebels in the bottom sea.