Published: 7 April 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
FOR AUTHOR AND MEDIA personality John Safran, the COVID-19 outbreak gives the Pesach symbolism new meaning and helps the Passover story resonate more deeply.
Safran is well-known for books Murder in Mississippi, Depends What You Mean By Extremist and John Safran vs The Occult, as well as television series such as John Safran vs God and Race Relations, and his radio presence on 3RRR and the ABC’s Triple J.
He proposes a novel way that Australians can curb the spread of Coronavirus while maintaining the tradition of the Seder.
“Maybe people should go down to the butcher and get a lamb and slaughter it and put the blood on their door post…so the angel of COVID-19 deaths will pass over those houses,” he says. “Does social distancing also apply to angels?”
Safran acknowledges that Pesach this year will be a test for religious Jews, with Seder traditions in stark contrast to COVID-19 safeguards surrounding social distancing, large gatherings and even preparing food in a communal setting.
However, he assures me that “the Jews will survive” and “the whole operation” is not going to collapse. Safran believes the current crisis can be tied into the Seder story and compares the community’s current experience to one of the ten plagues of Egypt.
“Unlike every other year where they are just theoretical plagues, [this year] we’ve got one so it actually should enhance the Passover feeling,” he says. “It’s the next best thing to locusts actually raining from the heavens…its more vivid, it’s more interactive this year.”
When it comes to the loss of extended family gatherings due to social distancing restrictions, Safran reminds us of the need to stay connected with older relatives who may feel isolated and who cannot use digital technology to keep in touch. On a lighter note, he seems certain that some community members will not mind the break to family tradition.
“You’re making out that everyone wants to go to all these Seders, but just say you don’t like your family – not in my case – this is like a great ‘get out of jail free’ card. There must be so many Jews who can’t believe it!”
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