Jews dominated Egyptians, Philistines, Persians, Romans, Russians, Germans, Americans, Palestinians.

get millions killed... Tradition is all we (or any other nation worth it's salt) have, so we'd better stick to it for dear life. I wonder what kind of tradition the unproven "Palestinians" envision around their table: reciting "who knows another killer of Jewish women & children?" -Ani yodea....

it has come to surface that the more these elitists lefty liberal or progressive "professors" try to sound like all the all knowing all rounded people actually are very INSECURE please YNET try very hard to curb your urge to sound like Haaretz you are not in competition with that crap if you are you will lose serious Jews here who are SECURE and equally educated if not more especially with common sense

... if I devote the full measure of my sympathies and philanthropy to the Jewish people? We are a tiny fraction of the world's population -- a scant 13 million in a six billion member sea. Why can't Roman Catholics look out for the hundreds of millions of weak and excluded Roman Catholics? Et cetera. Why should I devote my energies to anyone other than the Jewish people? Who has ever looked after us, except us?

WE Jews celebrate Pessah from the day we were liberated from Egypt until nowadays without interruption.

I would agree with some of the other comments that Jews all around the world should use this tradition to increase our own national identity and unity. As our traditions and history shows we prevailed when we managed to achieve undoubted unity and mutual guarantee among us, and were dispersed, almost exterminated every time "unfunded hatred", separation ruled over us. Moreover a united Nation of Israel, connecting above inherent differences and hatred could provide all the necessary positive example for the rest of the world heading for a potential global meltdown.

I think it would have been nearer the mark for you to have asked: would the author mind terribly if I devote the full measure of my sympathies and philanthropy to myself? That would have been fully consistent with your professed narcisism. 'The wicked son - what does he say?' I couldn't possible comment.

Giving over one million dollars annually to Jewish philanthropies is "narcissistic?" I'm a cancer survivor. I donate quite a bit to cancer research. My mother died of Parkinson's disease. I donate to Parkinson's research. Is that "narcissistic," too? What planet do you inhabit, anyway?

In no way would I downplay your experiences with disease, either your own or your mother's. You must also be glad that you are able to donate a large amount to the causes you mention. Not all of us are in such a privileged position. For my own part, I am not in the habit of parading my private experiences (which I have had) of disease, death and dying in relation to very close family. When you ask what planet I inhabit I would merely respond: clearly a significantly larger one that you do. And that is the central point. The messgae from the author - and one which I hope I take on board, too - is that the Seder is meaningful because is not simply about 'me' or 'my people'. It is about peoples everywhere. Fortunately, although you would no doubt dismiss them as left-wing fanatics, there are still Jewish individuals and groups who are actively involved with the world at large rather focusing on narrow collective self-destructive self-interest.

No, the Passover story relates exclusively to Jews and their deliverance from Egypt. Others may find elements of the history which resonates with their own experiences, but per chance resemblance does not make it theirs. Unlike you, I am not driven to assimilate. I enjoy the fact that I am Jewish, and that being Jewish makes me part of a culture that is incredibly unique. Only the remarkably insecure seek to assimilate. How sad for you, but perhaps if you were to convert, you wouldn't feel so compelled to be just like everyone else. "Everyone else" is not a club I care to join, but if that's what floats your boat, go for it. Just don't assume that it's what all Jews want, or need. It isn't.

Don't fool yourself, Sarah - you are assimilated whether you see it or not. Since you appear to have trouble in identifying with other human beings you construct your Jewish identity to distance yourself from the 'others'. Unlike you, my Jewishness is and always has been firmly grounded in my connections with world. Yours appears to be on somewhst shakier ground. I think you might stand in front of a mirror when you talk of the 'remarkably insecure' .