Pesach is coming. For those who celebrate, the approach of a Passover seder means a frenzy of cleaning, schlepping, and cooking – and can be the least spiritual thing we do all year. Don’t let that happen to you this year. As I begin to get out and speak about my new book, From Illness to Exodus, I’m trying to refocus on the lessons of the holiday, and the things I learned about doing my job as a doctor, and about my inevitable role as a patient, while writing it.
Over the weeks leading up to Pesach, I’ll be sharing some of the questions from the book to help us all “bring something to the table” other than sore backs and burnt fingers. Don’t just read – share! Post your responses, leave a comment on this website, message me directly, and share with others. I will share some of the best responses in the days that follow. You can even fire back with a question all your own. We may be all over the neighborhood, the country, or the world, but imagine we’re all at the seder table together. Everyone’s questions and answers are welcome: Jewish and non-Jewish, young and old, sick and well, healing professionals and professional patients.
We’ll start today with a question that’s not in the book but sets the scene for everything to come:
Pesach celebrates the Israelites coming out of “Mitzrayim,” the Hebrew word for Egypt but also a word meaning “a narrow place” or “dire straits.” I wrote this book because serious or chronic illness can feel like the narrowest place in the world. So my first question is: What’s your “Mitzrayim?” Describe your narrow place for us, what it feels like, how you got there, and how (and whether) you expect to get out?
Looking forward to everyone’s response – and if you’re looking for the book, you can find it here. Enter code CONF40 at checkout for a 40% discount off the cover price. And check back tomorrow for another question!
