Pass-over or Sit on the Fence?

Kings 1 18:20

^{(A special holiday post, bit longer than usual)}

^{In our world of so much fusion, what will be the fate of faith?}  

^{(and just how ancient is this question?)}

^{Half of the planet or more is mid-way holy days today - Ramadan and Holy Week, now joined by the week-long Passover.  In the modern liberal mix&match abundance that I feel privileged to live in, and not take for granted, there’s a rich familiarity and engagement, on different levels, with the sacred seasons of faith traditions other than the ones we were born into. There’s literally much to celebrate, with respect to other traditions, as we learn from each other, re-mix recipes and responses to life’s transitions, seasons, and important questions. This ecumenical ethos is still frowned upon by many religionists who prefer to keep things tribal and separate, defining some of the core disputes on our planet right now, mostly motivated by ideological differences.  But this was always a struggle - some of these cross-cultural, multi faith or intermarriage disputes go way back in human - and in Jewish history. Perhaps we can get some perspective from this past to see how far we’ve come, and what’s still at stake,  especially on special days to the faith traditions that some of us were raised with or chose.} 

^{Before we delve into today’s epic chapter on the top of Mt. Carmel, I want to bring a quote from a riveting article that explores the shared origins and divergent paths that unite and divide Passover and Easter.  Why? Because in wondrous ways, today’s chapter in the Book of Kings, on our daily Below the Bible Belt journey, meets the calendar and invites us into this big question about what brings us together or spreads us apart, even as we share more than one common sacred story.} 

^{Israeli scholar, Prof Jacob Yuval writes about Easter and Passover, focusing on the surprising histories of} 

^{“the parallel development of two different narratives of a similar nature, meant for the same festival, and introduced by two rival groups, who lived alongside one another.. developing two traditions, two complementary sides of a single process...}

^{Following the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, two competing interpretations were formed for Passover, one Jewish, and one Christian. To replace the ritual of the defunct Paschal sacrifice, each religion adopted a strategy of mandating the telling of a story. Jews, adhered to the original meaning of the festival, derived from the initial redemption from Egypt that served as a sign of a second deliverance still to come. Christians narrated the tale of a second redemption already in place: the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.}  

^{One tells the story of Passover in Egypt, the other, the Passover in Jerusalem.}

^{Both stories offered a liturgical alternative to the old sacrificial rite, addressing simultaneously the difficult question of how to celebrate a festival of redemption in an age of foreign domination and oppression.} 

^{Both began with degradation, either Egyptian servitude or the crucifixion -- and concluded with praise, holding out hope for the future. “}

^{For many people today - it’s not about an either/or choice of preferring Easter or  Passover. Many multi-faith families celebrate both.} 

^{But that’s not what Elijah has in mind.} 

^{In chapter 17 of Kings 1, Elijah the prophet is representing YHWH in the fight for the soul of Kingdom of Israel that is regally, and religiously affiliated with the other long-time local goddess and gods.  To show his might, YHWH has thrown a famine on the land, the drought, 3 years old, is devastating the land.} 

^{King Ahab and Queen Jezebel fight back -  waging, for the first time in our history, full on  war on YHWH and his prophets.  Many are killed.  But a loyal courtier with a soft spot for the old religions hides 100 YHWH loyalists in secret caves, making sure they are fed and protected from royal wrath.} 

^{Elijah meets the king and arranges for a spectacle on the summit of Mount Carmel - which god is greater.} 

^{450 prophets of the God Ba’al are invited, and 400 prophets of the Goddess Asherah, Queen Jezebel’s sacred squad, as the royal court and loyal subjects gather on the mountaintop.} 

^{And it’s then that Elijah asks the perennial question:} 

^{וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ אֵלִיָּ֜הוּ אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָ֗ם וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ עַד־מָתַ֞י אַתֶּ֣ם פֹּסְחִים֮ עַל־שְׁתֵּ֣י הַסְּעִפִּים֒ אִם־יְהֹוָ֤ה הָאֱלֹהִים֙ לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְאִם־הַבַּ֖עַל לְכ֣וּ אַחֲרָ֑יו וְלֹא־עָנ֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֹת֖וֹ דָּבָֽר׃}

^{Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you keep passing over between two options?  If YHWH is God, follow Him; and if Baal, follow him!” But the people did not respond.} 

^{Kings 1 18:20}

^{The original Hebrew expression uses the exact same word as ‘pass-over’ - and the echoes of the Exodus story, though never made directly, are loudly heard.} 

^{Elijah wants the people to choose - YHWH or Ba’al? The term ‘pass-over’ in this case is understood to be the avoidance of a choice - skipping from foot to foot, avoiding the issue, or sitting on the fence.} 

^{In the original Passover story - it’s YHWH who passes-over, skipping the homes of the Hebrews that are clearly marked in blood. A choice was made. But according to tradition - that’s only 1/5 of the Hebrew. 4/5 choose to stay behind. Sometimes familiar settings, even slavery, feels safer than a new unknown.} 

^{What Elijah on the mountain wants the people of Israel to do is to take the same stand as their ancestors - to leave what Egypt means behind, choose sides, have faith in YHWH and not assimilate into the local culture, now matter how enticing.} 

^{Both Moses and Elijah demands the same thing of their people:}

^{What God - way of life - do you choose?  What will be the fate of your faith?} 

^{Elijah’s audience does not respond. Maybe they didn’t want to, or didn’t know what to say?}  

^{What happens next is the triumph of Elijah and YHWH. After hours of praying for the Baal to bring rain, the local prophets give up. Elijah repairs the old altar of YHWH with twelve stones for the twelve tribes, prays and gets the people to pray with him - and behold - the fire falls upon the altar and the people yell out - YHWH is the one.}  

^{It would have been ok to end it here - but the zealous spirit takes hold of Elijah and he leads the lynching -- all  prophets of Ba’al are killed right there and then.} 

^{And then a cloud appears on the horizon - and soon it’s raining, the drought is done.} 

 ^{This is Elijah at his bloodiest and most fanatic self. This is Judaism at its worst.} 

^{As it is written, this chapter gives him a defining victory. At least for the time being.} 

 ^{Elijah’s question will keep echoing throughout our history, as it did when Moses was around, and it did in the aftermath of Jesus and in the middle of the many multi-everything realities we’re living now.  And our question comes right back to him -- how far is too far in deafening the faith? In the name of what sacred source are you taking lives?} 

^{Perhaps Pass-over is a choice we get to make again and again, including today  - where do we want to devote our energy, sign up for spirit, show our allegiance, what flag to wave and door to mark} 

^{And also - and how can we adapt these ancient, much too rigid regulations of in/out in new ways that honor uniqueness and still celebrate more options than one?} 

^{Elijah ends the chapter running in the rain, ahead of the king’s chariot back to the palace. What happens next? We will continue next week.} 

^{May these holy days bring beauty and meaning, depth and connection, delicious and nurturing to you and all the people with whom you live and love.}

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