Passover 2023

Getting The Leaven Out

During Passover we are busy getting ready, preparing our hearts, and anticipating the Seder. Preparation for the holiday involves getting the leaven out of the home, off the shelves, and off the floors (Bedikat Chametz). “Spring cleaning” is a visual picture of what is going on in our hearts. During this time we fast and eat leaven bread for seven days. Leven is a type of sin. It is thought to originate in either Babylon or Egypt. It was probably incorporated in both societies around the same time, but some favor Egypt as the first to use it in the baking of bread. The commandment to abstain from leaven bread was calling Israel to recognize both what they left (the sin) and remind them of what they were to embrace (holiness). Our hearts and minds are the place where real spiritual warfare takes place. The issues of the heart (our carnality) are what drive sinful behavior. It is often this mental and emotional capacity that the enemy uses to oppress and torment us. Mental and emotional torment does not mean that one has a weak mind or heart. Though some people struggle with this type of thinking pervasively and some sporadically, it does not automatically mean that someone is possessed or oppressed. It does mean that they struggle with things that others don’t and sometimes that type of thinking can become a spiritual stronghold that needs to be broken. Probably about one-third of the people in our congregations struggle with things like depression, stress, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive thinking, fear, anger, resentment, and many other strong emotions that are difficult to deal with and place us in a constant state of being victimized. If there is one thing that is needed in our sacred community is for people to work hard to get the leaven out of their hearts and minds and to separate themselves from the grip of tormenting thoughts and emotions. If this type of thinking was a switch or valve that could be turned off, many would simply rip it out of the wall with a vengeance and beat it to death with a hammer. Unfortunately dealing with it is not that easy. This process takes some healing, deliverance, effort, and a little bit of courage. This Passover season, we are going to tackle the leaven leviathan and serve it an eviction notice! Struggling with constant negativity is a mental leaven of the heart. Many people of faith struggle with it to the point that they cannot get their minds to shut down. The constant mental badgering, or as a friend put it “the brain claw” seems never-ending to the point where simple rest, personal peace, and decent relationships become nothing more than a fleeting hope. I read one article this week on a news source where an actress was preparing herself for a part and constantly entertained negative, horrible thoughts (intentionally) and found that after her stint in recording was over, she was suffering from a type of self-initiated emotional abuse and had problems letting go of her character. It is easy to get into this place when the mind does not cooperate, we are constantly ruminating (even when we try to stop), and we can end up sabotaging our mental and emotional state and damaging our faith. Getting the leaven out of the heart and mind means understanding what we are dealing with. Some people have a natural tendency to think in terms where they are constantly on guard and have a distrust of others. They deal with some degree of fear, anger, anxiety, and depression. They may frequently replay negative situations in life, play and replay scenarios over and over, playing “what if”, fantasizing over how they would respond or take revenge, and generally litter their mental and emotional life with negativity. This emotional place can be sporadic or may follow an incident where an offense was taken. Some episodes last longer than others, but they normally resolve and outside of general misery, the person goes on with life.

The problem is in how frequently it happens and how long a person stays in this state. Prolonged periods of negativity in thinking and emotions can affect one’s assumption of life, the ability to trust, form relational bonds, and even mature in the faith. If it is pervasive enough, it can end up being a type of self-imposed emotional abuse where the emotions, constant fear, suspicion, and perceived adversity of others can greatly damage us. In this type of thinking the person is usually projecting their emotions onto others. They can see the worst, assume the worst, expect the worst in others' motives and actions, and place blame on them for things they did not do or intend. Then, they eventually lash out, begin being closed off and suffering in silence, or both. They normally see themselves as victims and feel that they are just standing up for themselves when they lash out. They constantly live in a self-fulfilling prophecy when people reject them and pull away. They tend to be very protective of their rights and privileges to the point of encroaching on others because they are trying to maintain their safety and do not want anyone throwing rocks around their “glass house”. They can be extremely jealous (as well as covetous and envious) of others’ confidence or opportunities and usually feel that they are in outright competition with most people. Most of these responses are tied to anxiety, fear, and anger that can lead a person to depression and a lifestyle of constantly building walls against others and never letting anyone get too close. The isolation this produces only exacerbates the issues and the person is left with a constant frustrating struggle. (The forms of this that need professional attention are when any of these emotions get debilitating. The help of a trained Rabbi or counselor may be needed to help break the cycle so progress can be made.) It can happen without being a spiritual attack, but the enemy is drawn to the suffering and division this type of thinking can bring. I usually do not over-spiritualize these types of things. We have authority over the enemy and if a spiritual component is present, it is easily dealt with.

Getting the leaven out of the mind and emotions involve several things. First, the person needs to be hopeful in God’s ability to heal and deliver. Second, the person needs to understand their role in pursuing healing and maintaining their progress. Even if a medical doctor is referred it is important to remember that medications given to deal with these emotional issues, even if they are at a clinical level, do not heal. They are only meant to balance the biochemical changes in the brain and body so that functioning can return. There are points where that relief is desperately needed so that a person’s faith can be strengthened.

It is difficult to walk in faith when almost everything and everyone seems adversarial and there is no peace because you are constantly on guard. It makes one always feel taken advantage of, intentionally provoked, slighted, demeaned, shamed, conspired against, left out, or minimized in some way. We have written a lot about emotional issues over the past few weeks. Overcoming the mental battle makes it impossible to truly celebrate Passover and take joy in all that Yeshua has given.

The goal is to stop, limit, redirect, or disrupt unwanted thinking, and do it in a way that we focus on God. Many of these interventions have been used in counseling both in and out of Christian circles and are rooted in a little common sense, some scripture, and some cognitive behavioral techniques.

Jer 2:25 is a difficult translation to make but one version renders it "Slow down. Take a deep breath.." The meaning is to stop and think. The lesson is that breathing and slowing down are linked. Psychology did not discover this, they did figure out how it worked and found ways to use it. Breath and thinking are related. Deep breathing also decreases stress and slows the mind a bit. Breathe slower and breathe deep through the nose and out of the mouth. The lungs are pear-shaped. When we breathe deep, focus on pushing the lower stomach out until the small of the back moves out a little. This is the same type of breathing singers use. Focus on slowing down the movements of the body and practice being still. Use the opportunity to pray as you exhale. Praise God for healing and strength. The mind should be focused on something Godly, either a memory or scripture. Some may find it helpful to focus on their breath and sound, then when the mind is reigned in better, focus on scripture and memory. The key is to focus on both mind, breath, and body. When your body begins to relax, take the opportunity to worship or journal. This can be done morning, evening, and as many times of the day as needed. A good time to use this is after the Passover meal is done, guests have gone home, and the kitchen is cleaned.

Place a tax on the mind and emotions. If we let our minds and emotions run unchecked we will continue the downward spiral. Try hijacking the narrative. Instead of it being a narrative of hopelessness, redirect it to envision a godly outcome. Use the mental energy to pray for people. If the mind is running, use it for a spiritual purpose. God spoke to a friend of mine one day as he was replaying resentments aimed at a spiritual leader. God told him, "you may as well pray for him, since you think about him so much." That person ended up being the leader's key intercessor.

Distraction techniques work well. One person told me that breathing techniques did not work for her but she found something that did. She said that she would imagine a large pink, playful elephant in her memory space and she asked me to try it. Then she said, ok, now try to forget the elephant. I could not do it. She had several animated cartoon-type characters that she would use to invade her negative thinking and add some comedy. It worked! Others simply visualize a stop sign.

Some find it useful to have more physical distractions involving physical sensations or noise. One technique is to snap the fingers or clap the hands as it gives an auditory and physical stimulus. Another tactic is to use the "primordial scream" which just a loud, arresting yell (I don't use this, but I have come across some it has helped.). The one I prefer is physical worship and loud praise or worship flags and music.

Another technique is to break the behavioral chain and be on the lookout for possible triggers. Practice acknowledging and accepting the thoughts, but not owning or internalizing them on a personal level. This technique requires that one maintain a non-judgemental status and some degree of separation of person so that the thoughts and emotions can simply pass with being internalized (or embraced). Work against the tension and anxiety that contributes to the behavioral chain by using progressive muscle relaxation, some light exercise, or just going for a walk outside (sometimes a change of environment does wonders).

While these techniques can help, the long-term remedy may be to address the source. Why is self-esteem low or damaged? Why do we struggle with recognition and approval? Have we really dealt with the hurt and trauma of our past? Do we need better problem-solving or relational skills? Do we need to look at things from a different perspective? This could be as simple as identifying and focusing on some positive traits of a person or situation. It could also take the form of challenging our assumptions about a person's motives or just understanding the context of another's behavior. These things fuel bad emotions and tend to place a negative spin on many things in the mind and heart.

The Gospel helps to transform us. Being able to use it so that we can be a more understanding, edifying, and moral person is the task of every believer. It is also needed so that we can be free from mental and emotional bondage. This Passover lets us consciously work to get the leaven out, see through God's eyes, and understand with his heart.

Rav Calev Lehrer, PhD