In what often appears to be a random existence, Carl Jung tells us there is synchronicity.  Consider the following example of symmetry.  Two weeks ago tonight Robert Mueller submitted his report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.  Two weeks from tonight, Jews around the world and their guests will come together to once again celebrate Passover, a holiday which commemorates the exodus from Egypt.  The ceremony is called a Seder (literally Hebrew for “order”) which centers on the retelling of the story of the Israelites’ freedom from slavery and journey to the promised land.

A unique feature of this rite is the setup.  Instead of the leader of the Seder (usually the eldest among the attendees) telling everyone, “I’m now going to tell you the story of our people’s deliverance from Egypt in ancient times,” the impetus for the narrative depends on the curiosity of the youngest in the room.  This ritual is known as the “four questions,” although there are actually five, the overarching one being, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

I thought about this essential element of the Passover observance as I reread William Barr’s letter to Congress summarizing (despite what he now says) the two years of investigation by the Special Counsel’s office.  In this context, the Barr missive is best described as the opposite of the Haggadah, the “user’s manual” for conducting the Seder.  In his letter, Barr does not respond to his audience’s curiosity.  Instead, he chooses to play the role of the all-knowing patriarch who informs anyone within earshot, “Let me tell you a story.”  Which is why so many of us are dissatisfied with anything less than the full report.

So, let me take a short ride in my “way back machine” to Sunday morning, April 24th, the time at which William Barr gets ready to affix his signature to his letter of findings to Congress.  In this story line, I am a curious youngster.  I ask the attorney general four, actually five, questions.

Why was this presidential election different from all other presidential elections?

In other presidential elections, the outcome is solely the purview of Americans.  Why, in this election, does there appear to have been foreign interference?

In investigations of presidential conduct, the inquiry is supposed to be free of executive intervention.  Why, in this case, did the president take actions which appear to have hindered the special counsel’s mission?

In the making of U.S. foreign policy, the administration must put national interests ahead of personal pursuits.  Why, in this case, do the president’s statements and actions raise questions about whether he is compromised?

The integrity of the electoral process is critical to belief in a democratic system.  How do we ensure that we do not have to address these same questions in the future?

Just imagine if, on Passover, the leader of the Seder had taken Barr’s approach.  Why do we eat unleavened bread? Depends on what the definition of “unleavened” is.  Why do we eat bitter herbs?  It is not a crime.  Why do we dip our vegetables twice and why do we sit reclining?  Never mind, I don’t need to address those.

Just as the Haggadah lays out the narrative of the exodus from Egypt to remind us of what it means to be free and our responsibility to ensure others share that freedom, perhaps some day we will view the Mueller Report similarly.  At the beginning of each presidential election cycle we should read the report to emphasize the fragility of the legal and moral underpinnings of the American experience and our responsibility to protect it.

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP