The Land of Israel is a ghost throughout the haggadah, even as it is a constant presence in the background of the Passover story. Liberation isn’t solely freedom from Egyptian bondage; it’s also intentional direction toward Sinai and the ultimate arrival in the Promised Land. Yet Eretz Yisrael itself is rarely mentioned in the haggadah text.
January 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of Louis D. Brandeis’ nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The first Jew to serve on the court and one of the most respected and revered justices in our history, his opinions on free speech, due process, and fundamental liberty are still widely quoted and cited. His representation of poor people, exploited workers, and the public interest helped make America a more humane and just nation, while forcing banks, railroads, and other large business to be more fair to the public. In 1916, he was known throughout the nation as “The People’s Lawyer.”