Is the Passover Seder Racist? Understanding Exodus, Equality, and Jewish Responsibility

For several weeks now, we have been reading the Torah’s descriptions of the Exodus from Egypt. While Pesach isn’t here just yet, the themes already resonate with us as we begin preparing for the holiday and anticipating this joyful festival.

Who doesn’t love arriving at the Seder night after all the preparations, sitting together with the extended family, and celebrating the freedom of the Jewish people?

As it turns out — someone doesn’t.

A relative of mine, who used to join us every year for Passover, began attending classes in “Jewish Thought” at some so-called “advanced” institute this past year. When he told me about it, I couldn’t hide my reaction. From what I know, deep love for Jewish tradition is not exactly what one absorbs there.

And indeed, this year he announced: “I’m not going to celebrate the Seder with you.”

“I Can’t Handle the Racism”

What followed was entirely predictable.

“This whole thing makes me uncomfortable,” he said. “The entire family sits together reading ‘Pour out Your wrath upon the nations’, even the children. The Egyptians get one hundred plagues this way and two hundred plagues that way. The Torah just doesn’t treat non-Jews as human beings.

“If God gave the Torah, it’s supposed to be good — because God is good, right? I’m not interested in being racist in God’s name.”

And that was that.

A First Response — Compassion Even for Egypt

“You know,” I replied, “specifically regarding the Egyptians, our sages say that when the Red Sea split, the angels wanted to sing praises. God stopped them and said: ‘My creations are drowning in the sea, and you are singing?’ That hardly sounds racist — especially considering what the Egyptians did to Israel.”

“That doesn’t convince me,” he answered.
“There are many statements like this in rabbinic literature. Some are universal and inspiring, others are openly hostile toward non-Jews. You can’t cherry-pick. Either the sages were inconsistent, or they disagreed among themselves. Bottom line: there’s a lot of hostility toward non-Jews, and that contradicts basic human equality.”

Human Equality — and Jewish Responsibility

“You’re right,” I said. “I won’t dismiss this with a single quote. Let me try to explain why there’s no contradiction between the sages who stress greeting every human being created in God’s image, and those who speak harshly about the nations.

“The idea that every human being is created in the image of God comes directly from the Torah. That means every person has the right to life, dignity, and well-being. A human being is not an object, but God’s creation, made in His image. Many laws flow from this principle, and it is the foundation of human equality.

“But alongside that, there is a special responsibility among Jews toward one another. This is not because non-Jews are less than human — quite the opposite. All people are human beings created in God’s image. But the Torah demands that a Jew do more for fellow Jews than for others.

“The Torah does not lower non-Jews beneath human status. It raises Jewish obligation toward Jewish destiny.”

A Covenant and a Mission

“God relates to the Jewish people in the same way. He made a covenant with them and entrusted them with a mission.

“Think about the legal system. Everyone is equal before the law, and anyone who breaks it should be punished. Yet diplomats and members of parliament enjoy immunity. That doesn’t mean they are above the law — it means that because they were chosen for a mission, the system allows them to function without constant legal obstruction. Accountability still exists, but it is delayed or handled differently.

“That is precisely how God relates to Israel.

“God holds every individual and every nation accountable. Humanity, after all, sins. The harsh statements about the nations reflect a world in which nations often act unjustly. Yes, the Torah also criticizes Israel severely for its sins — but there is a difference.

“Israel is on a divine mission. Therefore, God often delays punishment. He ‘lifts His countenance’ toward them, because they accept His covenant. Even when they sin, they remain bound to Him.

“This is not racism. It is responsibility.”