There comes the time at every Passover seder when someone will open a door to let in the prophet Elijah. At that moment, something like a spell invariably descends over the celebrants, and everyone stares into the doorway, trying to make out the quiet movements of the prophet as he glides his way in and takes the empty seat among us.

I cannot write if there is a sense of plenitude. I have to hypothesize that there is a loss.

For the religious, Passover is the grateful remembrance of a homeward journey after years of suffering.

Andre Aciman Quotes