In our Jewish tradition, we have just celebrated Passover and the deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

The concept of a “passover” is very relevant to our present situation in dealing with COVID-19.

As Americans, we all hope that we, our neighbors, and those we love will be “passed over” during the duration of this dangerous illness.

In the biblical story, we Jews painted the blood of lambs on our doorposts so the Angel of Death would pass over our households and only strike the Egyptians with the tenth plague, death of the first born.

We Americans have protected our households from a new plague by disinfecting our door handles and other surfaces, frequently washing our hands (singing the ABC's!), wearing face masks, and social-distancing six feet away from one another.

Much like we are sheltering in place, Israelites huddled inside their dwellings until the plague passed. When they emerged, the plague was over and their Pharaoh let them go.

Famously, their escape was not without episode. Once again the Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army after them.

Because of God's miraculous splitting of the Sea of Reeds, they finally escaped from 400 years of bondage in Egypt.

Once on the other side of the sea, knowing at last that they were free, Moses broke into the “The Song of The Sea,” and Miriam and the women joined in with joyous song and dance.

The Hebrew word for Egypt is “Mitzrayim,” which means “narrow,” or “narrow place.”

Everything for the Israelites was narrow during this period of slavery. Their outlook, future, hopes and dreams were put on hold. They managed to maintain their peoplehood and cling to their relationships with one another. Yet, the experience so imprinted itself on the Jewish consciousness that this dark period and glorious redemption is retold every year at the Passover Seder, when we are encouraged to relive the experience as if it happened to each of us.

When we Americans emerge from our “narrow place” engendered by the COVID-19 virus, we undoubtedly will rejoice like Moses, Miriam, and the Israelites after God parted the Sea of Reeds to allow the Jews to escape slavery in Egypt.

Like them, the experience will be imprinted upon us, and we will never be the same.

We will always see the world through the eyes of a generation that experienced the unthinkable.

Some of the businesses we frequented will disappear, casualties of the pandemic.

Some of us will need help to put us back on our feet. We may never go back to some of our former habits and haunts.

What I hope we retain from this narrow period in our lives is the camaraderie that we have shared the past weeks and months. People's best selves emerged to offer help to their neighbors.

“Older dogs” (and I mean this in the very best sense!) learned new tricks.

Those who thought technology beyond them figured it out. Many religious congregations increased attendance through streaming services, reaching older members or others who don't drive.

Our first responders were, and continue to be, incredibly brave in performing their duties.

Polarization in politics took a back seat to our common danger.

Nothing like a pandemic to make us realize we all just want the best for our families, loved ones, community and country. People were kind to one another!

Let us try to hold on to our new regard and care for all of our neighbors — it may seem naive, but a ripple-effect of care for others could change the world for the good.

All religions teach this. Let us cling to it and to each other, and emerge a stronger, better people from this narrowest of experiences.

Michal Gray-Schaffer is cantor with Congregation B'nai Abraham.