Page 88 - April 2017 Life In Naplles Magazine

PASSOVER

AN UNDERDOG STORY

by Rabbi Adam Miller
D uring a trip to Philadelphia, I stopped

at an airport store for a last minute
purchase. Approaching the counter I
noticed the classic film Rocky playing on
a television screen. While the Italian Stallion battled
it out with Apollo Creed, I asked the clerk if she
ever tired of listening to the film. “Surprisingly not,”
she replied. “This film is what our city is about – the
unexpected success of an underdog given no chance
to succeed. Just like the American Revolution.”
An odd couple, Rocky and the American
Revolution do have connections. There is a human
desire for fairness. When two uneven forces are
pitted against one another, we want to see the less
likely outcome of David defeating Goliath. We
simply love to root for the little guy – be it Rocky
Balboa, George Washington, or Moses.
Celebrated this year from the evening of April
10th through April 18th, the underdog element
makes Passover memorable. A people who have been on tasks where we fear the possibility of failure. What if Moses said no
enslaved for generations, finally finding a leader at the burning bush and turned away from the Divine call for justice
willing to stand up for justice and freedom. One because he thought he might not succeed? Our world has evolved
could argue that Moses defies the title underdog, because of those willing to take risks in the tradition of Moses and
after all, he has God in his corner. Be that as it may, David – leaders like the American revolutionaries and Rev. Dr. Martin
no one had ever stood up to Pharaoh. The Israelites Luther King, Jr. These individuals embraced their roles as the underdog
were servants for quite some time before Moses and stood up for what they believed in: freedom, justice and equality.
became the first to stand up. The struggle through Passover is a celebration of freedom, and the understanding that
the Ten Plagues leaves both reeling, like Rocky and the path to freedom requires risks. May we each find the courage
Apollo Creed, and at the end neither side wants a needed in our pursuit of justice and freedom, for ourselves and others.
rematch. The Israelites bolt so fast they don’t allow As long as there is a possibility of success, there is hope that one day
their bread to fully bake. Once they cross the Sea of we will all be free.
Reeds, they rejoice in their new freedom.
Wishing you and yours blessings for peace,
These famous stories of underdog success stand out
today in our risk-averse culture. We hesitate to take Rabbi Adam F. Miller

88 Life in Naples | April 2017