On the other hand… As we near the end of Pesach, and the story of a forced exodus, we ought to reflect how lucky we are to live in Britain in 2013. What threats there are to shechita and brit milah are made democratically, are subject to rational argument, and give us the chance to stand up for our religion. Unconscionable as the idea of a ban may be, we do not have to fear its imposition by despotic rule. Antisemitic attacks may be on the rise, but they remain a rarity. And we are, as a community, strong and safe. A bit of perspective is no bad thing.