The Concept of Freedom:
Definitions and Discussion

Freedom and Slavery

1. Dictionary Definitions

                   Freedom               Slavery
                   ========================================================
   
                   autonomy              owning a person as property
                   deliverance           withdrawal of power of resistance
                   emancipation          manipulation of other human beings
                   liberty               drudgery
                   frankness             captivity
                   outspokenness         serfdom
                   unhampered boldness   subjugation
                   separation            bondage
                   independence          enslavement
                                         servitude
   

2. Exercise

   Discuss the concepts of "freedom" and "slavery". Participants should be encouraged to express their feelings about freedom and slavery.

   Record responses on the board as follows:

                   Freedom                          Slavery
                   =============================================================
   
            i.     Each person is free to do   i.   You cannot do what you want
                   as he/she wants
   
            ii.    You can decide and choose   ii.   You cannot decide or choose
            iii.   You can work if you want    iii.  Forced labor
            iv.                                iv.
            v.                                 v.
   

Types of Freedom

Definitions

There are four types of freedom:

• Physical freedom - the possibility for a person to go where he/she wants and do what s/he wants
• Spiritual freedom - the privilege of being able to express one's thoughts or to live according to one's outlook
• National freedom - the authority which enables a person to identify and to live with others of his/her people
• State freedom - the ability of a person to live (preferably in his/her own land) under a government of his/her choosing

Exercise

Discuss in class if we are free according to all these four criteria.

Freedom at Pesach

for younger children

1. Exercise

   Following from the Haggadah text, discuss in class:

                 ! Why were the people !        !  What types of work  !
                 !   of Israel called  !        ! are described in the !
                 !       slaves?       !        !       Haggadah?      !
   

   Participants should find references in the Haggadah to demonstrate answers to these questions.
2. Crafts
   Use paper or cardboard to make the shape of a kiddush cup and write in it, in a bright color, the expression:
   Zman Heruteinu.
   It is said in the Haggadah:

   In every generation each person should consider himself as if he went out of Egypt (Pesachim 5)

   so we drink four cups in a reclining position in the way of free men, and not in an upright position, which is the way of slaves.

   

3. Review
   • How do we express the idea of freedom at the seder?
     1. We lean to the left side when we eat and drink;
     2. We use our best dishes;
     3. We put on festive clothes;
     4. Certain communities re-enact the exodus to freedom during the seder.
   • Discuss the four expressions of redemption and their meaning:

                       Vehotzeiti     Vehitzalti     Vega'alti      Velakakhti
     

     

   • By drinking four cups of wine we symbolize the ambition for freedom and redemption.
   • Teach songs from the Haggadah which are connected to freedom. Avadim Hayinu...
   • Vehotzeiti Vehitzalti Vega'alti Velakakhti
     Draw four shapes of a kiddush cup. Then write each of the above words on a separate goblet.
   • When do we sing the song,
     "Leshana haba'ah biy'rushalayim"? [Next Year in Jerusalem]

     Is there a connection between this song and freedom?

Freedom in the Jewish Calendar

for older participants

1. Note the similarities and differences between the festival of Pesach and Yom Ha'atzmaut. How is the feeling of freedom expressed in Yom Ha'atzmaut?
2. Lag B'Omer - the rebellion of Bar Kochba, a freedom fighter, an occasion to teach the song: "Ish haya beYisrael Bar Kochba shemo."
3. The festival of Chanukah - Hellenization as an experiment of spiritual slavery and the Maccabean revolt as a revolt for spiritual freedom.
4. Shavuot and Freedom

   "Only a person who learns Torah is free" (Pirkei Avoth ch. 6. Mishnah 2).

   
   How is Shavuot connected with the idea of freedom?

   These fast days are connected to Jerusalem:

                         10th Teveth             9th Av
                         17th Tammuz             3rd Tishri (Fast of Gedaliah)
   

   and, together with Jerusalem Day, all are connected to freedom in the same way. Discuss.
5. Teach the song: Tziyon Ha-lo tish'ali lishlom assirayich.