‘masada Shall Not Fall Again’ is Theme of Third Night Seder

Dr. Sol Stein. executive director of the National Committee for Labor Israel, told 2,000 persons attending the Committee’s 39th annual Third Seder, that current developments in the Soviet Union are similar to the pre-Exodus period in ancient Egypt. “We are on the eve of a massive airlift to freedom for Russian Jewry,” he declared. “And Israel is ready to welcome them home.” Participants in the Third Seder used the Haggadah titled “Masada Shall Not Fall Again,” which was inspired by recent excavations of the mountain fort that was the site of the last Jewish stand against the Romans after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The excavations confirmed the account of Josephus, the Jewish general who defected to the Romans and then wrote his report of the Jewish rebellion in a book titled “The Jewish War.”

The Masada Haggadah, asking “Why Masada shall not fall again?” answered: “Because three generations of Halutzim (pioneers) swear upon it; because the survivors of Auschwitz and the Warsaw Ghetto swear upon it; the unflinching Jews of Russia swear upon it; the defenders of Israel swear upon it; the million members of Histadrut swear upon it; and because the entire Jewish people swear upon it.” Dr. Stein declared that “When the Third Jewish Commonwealth came into being in 1948, the Jewish people showed the world once again that liberty was dearer than life itself. A new generation of heroes has arisen-the Israel Defense Forces,” He noted that “Behind this extraordinary army is the modern society of Israel, technologically advanced, politically mature, culturally dynamic.” He added, “In our time, Masada is not isolated, not cut off from the world. This time, Israel can face her enemies with certitude. She is prepared to fight for her survival and win.” The Seder was conducted Sunday night.