Digital Disruption

The subject matter for this blog posting is not explicitly about “Digital Disruption.”  It touches on the power and meaning of Passover and I guess does have lessons that apply equally to individuals and brands alike.

I’m in the midst of celebrating Passover which for me represents a time for personal reflection, evaluation and rebirth.  There is much meaning and significance to Passover that goes deep below the surface.  During the past few days I’ve interacted with many people who celebrate Passover but who don’t necessarily know the “why” of Passover.

I’d like to explore some of the “why” with you …

What is the relevance today of the story of Moses, Pharaoh and the liberation from Egypt 3,300 years ago? Hidden within the rituals of the Seder and the Matzah, Passover offers up eight days of spiritual lessons focused on transcendence and liberation from one’s individual limitations.

The Hebrew word for Egypt is “Mitzrayim” (מִצְרַיִם) which derives from the root “Meitzar” (מיצר)  which means straits, boundaries, restrictions or narrowness. Passover represents an opportunity in time where we can transcend our past limitations, failures and constraints; where we can break free of this “narrowness” and enter into an expansive new space.

The path to this new reality is laid out in great detail in the Hagaddah – the story book of the Passover story. The seder leads us through 15 steps of transcendence including the four questions we ask and the four glasses of wine we drink.

From the second night of Passover we count the 49 days (7 weeks) of the Omer which represent the journey to the revelation of Shavuot where we celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.  The 49 stages of the journey are a mathematical formula that allows us to purify each level of our individual souls.  For a detailed analysis, I highly recommend the “Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer” by Rabbi Simon Jacobson.

The underlying force of this entire process is the removal of Ego (represented by the Chametz that we rid ourselves of the days before Passover starts.) The Matzah (simple flour and water – “unleavened bread”) we eat during Passover presents the Humility / lack of ego that is an essential prerequisite for our journey of liberation.

If you want to know more, please contact me and I’ll connect you with people way more knowledgable than I am who can help you explore further.

I wish you all a Happy and Joyful Passover!  Chag Sameach!

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