A Supplemental Reading For Your Seder

Passover is the number one most celebrated holiday on the American Jewish calendar.  Even the least affiliated Jewish people celebrate it each year.

Today we know that the story of the exodus is a myth.  Every reputable archeologist has ruled out its historicity.  But it’s been replaced with an interesting idea:  That the Israelites were native to Canaan.

That’s right.  For the last twenty years or so the prevailing hypothesis, based on a growing number of corroborating sources, shows that the Israelites came together out of a social upheaval in Canaan.  This is because, even without a shred of evidence for a conquest or massive settlement from abroad, they did find substantial growth in the Canaanite highlands in the mid-13th century C.E.

Why would a nation that was native to a land develop a foundational myth that made them foreigners?

There are a few reasons that I can think of.  One is that there may have been Egyptian slaves who joined this upheaval.  Another is that the upheaval could have been related to Egyptian dominance of Canaan’s chiefdoms.  And perhaps as they brought divergent tribes together under a singular leadership, there was a need to posit a joint origin.  More than any of these reasons, however, is the fact that from a theological point of view it made sense to see the land as a gift from God for which the Israelites — later the Jews — should be eternally grateful.

At my seder we use a supplement I wrote that acknowledges the historical findings even as we recount the legend.  It’s appropriate for any modern seder, not just the humanistic type.

(If you’re interested in learning more about the real history of the Israelites, check out books by Israel Finkelstein and William Dever for a good start.)

You can download the supplement by clicking here.

Wishing all who celebrate, a happy and meaningful holiday!