智慧人生篇章 第18期:逾越节—孩子中心论

 　　The Passover season is well and truly on us.We're preparing our homes for the festival of freedom, with its special foods and elaborate rituals¹, one of the oldest religious rituals in the world, and one of Judaism's most sacred moments. What's special is that it's observed not in the synagogue but at home, around the table, as a family. The starring part is always taken by the youngest child, and their role is to ask questions.And if there's one element of Judaism I'd love to share with everyone it's this: If you want to survive and thrive as a people, a culture, a civilisation², celebrate the family. Hold it sacred. Eat together. Tell the story of what most matters to you across the generations. Make children the most important people. Put them centre stage. Encourage them to ask questions, the more the better. That's what Moses said 33 centuries ago and Judaism is still here to tell the tale having survived some of the most brutal³ persecutions in human history, yet as a religious faith still young and full of energy.

　　逾越节真的来到了。我们在家准备了特殊的食物，用最古老最细致的仪式来迎接这个自由节日的到来，这是犹太教最神圣的时刻之一。之所以如此特殊，是因为这是个在家里，在餐桌旁，由一家人见证的节日，而不是在犹太教堂里。主角总是最小的孩子，他们的任务就是发问。我想跟大家分享我犹太教中我最喜欢的一个部分：如果一个人，一种文化，一种文明想要存世并繁荣，那么必须赞美家庭。将之视为神圣之地，全家一起吃饭。告诉孩子们什么对你最重要。重视孩子，将他们置于中心位置，鼓励他们问问题，越多越好。3300年前摩西就是这么说的。经历了人类历史上最残酷迫害而顽强存活下来的犹太教现在依然在讲述着同样的故事，作为一种宗教信仰，它依然生机勃勃，充满活力。

1 rituals   

（宗教等的）仪式( ritual的名词复数 )； 例行公事，老规矩

参考例句：

• A cognac before bed is one of our little nightly rituals. 临睡之前喝点儿干邑是我们每天晚上的小习惯之一。
• Many of the tribe's customs and rituals are as old as the hills. 这部落的许多风俗、仪式都极其古老。

2 civilisation   

n.文明，文化，开化，教化

参考例句：

• Energy and ideas are the twin bases of our civilisation.能源和思想是我们文明的两大基石。
• This opera is one of the cultural totems of Western civilisation.这部歌剧是西方文明的文化标志物之一。

3 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。