What Is True Freedom in Judaism? The Spiritual Meaning of Passover and Inner Liberation

Freedom is considered a lofty value in the eyes of every cultured human being. People fight for it, and many are even willing to sacrifice their lives for it. We are deeply shaken when we hear about the forced enslavement of others. Taking away a person’s freedom seems to us almost like taking away their life. Deep within our souls, we feel that the desire for freedom is a fundamental human trait, embedded in every person’s consciousness. Someone who does not feel this longing may even be regarded with disdain, and we struggle to understand those who willingly choose to live as slaves.

For the Jewish people, the concept of freedom carries a double meaning. It is not only an important value but also a sacred one. The spirit of freedom hovers over many of the commandments of the Torah, and a special time on the Jewish calendar is dedicated to studying and reflecting upon it: the festival of Passover, the “Season of Our Freedom.” At this time, long ago, we left slavery and entered redemption, and every year we are commanded to remind ourselves that we are free people. When the Temple still stood and the Passover offering was eaten, it was forbidden to break its bones, in order to instill within us the awareness that we are royalty, not slaves gnawing at bones out of hunger. Even today we observe laws and customs designed to sharpen this awareness. On Seder night we recline like free people around the table and drink four cups of wine to express this idea (Rambam, Laws of Chametz and Matzah, chapter 7).

Does Judaism Truly Advocate Freedom?

At first glance, Jewish sources appear to strongly support freedom. Many biblical verses emphasize liberation, such as: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt from being their slaves; I broke the bars of your yoke and led you upright” (Vayikra 26:13). The Torah’s approach to the Hebrew slave who chooses to remain in servitude also reflects this value. Even if such a servant lacks nothing materially and enjoys stable conditions, the Torah still expresses disapproval when he refuses to go free in the seventh year, symbolically marking his ear to show the negative view of voluntary bondage (Shemot 21 and rabbinic teachings).

Yet Judaism also places great emphasis on accepting the “yoke of Heaven.” The central purpose of reciting Shema twice daily is to accept the sovereignty of God and the commandments. The Bible calls the most complete individual a “servant of God.” Moshe is praised as a faithful servant, and David HaMelech describes himself similarly. Meanwhile, one of the harshest biblical insults is “son of lawlessness,” someone who rejects all restraint.

This raises an important question: what place does freedom have in a worldview where accepting divine authority is central? If Judaism opposes slavery, why does it glorify being a servant of God? Many verses mention liberation from Egypt together with the obligation to serve God. The Ten Commandments begin with “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt,” yet they impose obligations and boundaries. The very goal of leaving Egypt is stated as: “Let My people go so that they may serve Me.” What, then, is gained by exchanging one form of servitude for another?

The Truly Free Person

Jewish sages offer a striking statement: “There is no truly free person except one who engages in Torah” (Pirkei Avot 6:2). This teaching carries a dual message. A person may be physically oppressed or persecuted and still be free if they are connected to Torah. Conversely, someone may be socially independent and yet remain deeply enslaved if they are disconnected from spiritual purpose. According to Judaism, genuine freedom comes through attachment to Torah and mitzvot. Any sense of freedom detached from spiritual meaning is only a superficial imitation.

How can someone bound by commandments be considered free? The answer lies in understanding who the human being truly is. A person consists of both body and soul. The body is a biological entity governed by physical laws, but the soul represents a higher spiritual dimension, filled with aspiration, choice, and moral awareness. The Torah describes humanity’s creation as a fusion of “dust from the earth” and “the breath of life,” teaching that the spiritual element defines our true identity.

Physical Freedom Versus Spiritual Freedom

Judaism elevates spiritual freedom above physical independence. A person may be physically constrained yet remain spiritually free if their inner world is liberated from coercion. External independence does not always guarantee true freedom; often it simply replaces one form of bondage with another. Individuals who proclaim themselves “free” may still be enslaved to impulses, social pressures, or addictions.

Jewish thought teaches that desires and impulses are not the essence of the self but foreign forces that seek control. True freedom is achieved when a person rises above these influences. The sages therefore describe the evil inclination as a “strange god within a person.” One who frees themselves from such inner domination is truly free.

The Challenge of Spiritual Bondage

Spiritual bondage is subtle and often hidden. While many people celebrate freedom, they remain deeply controlled by trends, advertising, cravings, or unhealthy habits. Some are enslaved to fashion, others to unhealthy foods, substances, or social approval. The Chafetz Chaim once challenged the use of the term “free” for those who abandon Torah, arguing that many are actually bound by countless inner chains.

Throughout Jewish history, great spiritual figures endured physical imprisonment yet remained inwardly free. Rabbi Akiva, imprisoned for teaching Torah, exemplified this ideal. Though his body was confined, his spirit was unbound.

The Balance Between Physical and Spiritual Liberation

Judaism does not dismiss the importance of physical freedom. The Exodus from Egypt remains central to Jewish identity, reminding us that physical oppression can lead to spiritual decline. Liberation from Egypt served as a stepping stone toward receiving the Torah at Sinai, where spiritual freedom reached its peak.

The Torah’s approach is summarized in the verse: “For they are My servants, whom I brought out of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves” (Vayikra 25:42). God rejects physical enslavement while guiding humanity toward spiritual service. Being a servant of God is not a loss of freedom but its ultimate expression.

Even in modern times, societies that gained political independence often discovered new forms of internal bondage. Judaism therefore teaches that the highest form of freedom lies in aligning the soul with its divine source. As Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi poetically expressed: “Servants of time are servants of servants; the servant of God alone is truly free.”

The longing for freedom embedded within every person ultimately reflects a deeper yearning for spiritual liberation. Passover reminds us that leaving Egypt was only the beginning; the true goal was to stand at Sinai and receive a path toward inner freedom. Even if today we feel partially bound, the aspiration remains: to move from slavery toward genuine liberation of body and soul.

A kosher and joyful festival!