PASSOVER
Passover is a holy festival commemorating the freedom of the Hebrews from dictatorship and enslavement by the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II. Celebrated across seven or eight days starting from the 15th of the first Hebrew month of Nisan, Passover is the most significant of all Jewish festivals. It is observed with immense pomp and glory throughout the world. Celebrations are marked by feasting and merry-making. A traditional dinner known as Seder is organized at homes. The story of Passover is recalled and various symbolic foods are served on the Seder plate. Read through the following lines to more about the symbols of the Pesach festival.
History
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Passover began for the very first in the Old Testament (Bible), in the book of Exodus chapter 12. After the announcement of the 10th plagues to the Egypt (Death of the firstborn), God told Moses to kill a lamb (which is perfect; spotless and its age must be 1 year) and take the blood. The lamb's blood must be put on their house' door, so that the angel of death wouldn't take their firstborn.
Each of Israeli' house must take one lamb and take the blood. But if the family is too poor, then the family must shared with their neighborhoods.
So in the evening, all of the Israeli must roast the lamb and eat it with bitter herbs (Maror) and unleavened bread.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.
Each of Israeli' house must take one lamb and take the blood. But if the family is too poor, then the family must shared with their neighborhoods.
So in the evening, all of the Israeli must roast the lamb and eat it with bitter herbs (Maror) and unleavened bread.
This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.
Symbols
Seder PlatePassover is a holiday full of ritual symbols that retell the Exodus story. Many of these symbols are displayed on the seder plate, which is the centerpiece of the seder table. A seder is a service held at home that concludes with a dinner. It is always observed on the first night of Passover, and in some homes on the second night as well.
There are seven symbols that can be placed on the seder plate but not all of them are required. They are:
1.
Vegetable (Karpas)
This part of the seder plate dates back to a first and second century tradition in Jerusalem that involved beginning a formal meal by dipping vegetables in salt water before eating them. Hence, at the beginning of the seder a vegetable – usually lettuce, cucumber, radish or parsley – is dipped in salt water and eaten. It is sometimes said that the salt water represents the tears our ancestors shed during their years of enslavement. 2.
Hard Boiled Egg (Baytzah)
There are two interpretations of the symbolism of the hard boiled egg. One is that it is an ancient fertility symbol. The other is that it is a symbol of mourning for the loss of the two Temples, the first of which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C.E. and the second of which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. Hard boiled eggs were traditionally the food of mourners and hence they were an appropriate symbol for the loss of these sacred sites. 3.
Charoset
Haroset is a mixture that is often made of apples, nuts, wine and spices in the Ashkenazi tradition. It represents the mortar the Israelites were forced to use while they built structures for their Egyptian taskmasters. |
4. Shank bone (Zeroa) / Roasted Beet
The roasted shank bone of a lamb reminds us of the tenth plague in Egypt, when all firstborn Egyptians were killed. The Israelites marked the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb as a signal that death should pass over them, as it is written in Exodus 12:12: "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn - both men and animals - and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt... The blood will be a sign... on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." The shank bone is sometimes called the Paschal lamb, with “paschal” meaning "He [God] skipped over" the houses of Israel. The shank bone also reminds us of the sacrificial lamb that was killed and eaten during the days when the Temple stood. In modern times, some Jews will use a poultry neck instead. Vegetarians will often replace the shank bone with a roasted beet, which has the color of blood and is shaped like a bone, but is not derived from an animal. 5.
Bitter Herbs (Maror)
Because the Israelites were slaves in Egypt we eat bitter herbs to remind us of the harshness of servitude. Horseradish – either the root or a prepared paste – is most often used. A small amount of maror is usually eaten with an equal portion of charoset. It can also be made into a "Hillel Sandwich," where maror and charoset are sandwiched between two pieces of matzah. 6. Bitter Vegetable (Hazeret)
This piece of the seder plate also symbolizes the bitterness of slavery. Romaine lettuce is usually used, which doesn’t seem very bitter but the plant has bitter tasting roots. When hazeret is not represented on the seder plate some Jews will put a small bowl of salt water in its place. 7.
Orange
Also optional. The orange is a recent addition to the seder plate and not one that is used in every Jewish home. It was introduced by Susannah Heschel, a Jewish feminist and scholar, as a symbol that represents including women and homosexuals in Jewish tradition – both groups that have often been marginalized. |
Wine
At the Seder meal, everyone is served with four cups of wine symbolizing the four different stages of Exodus that led to the freedom of the Hebrews. These stages were freedom, deliverance, redemption and release.
Seder Wine
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Four glasses of wine are poured during the Seder to symbolize the four main stages of Exodus that led Hebrew slaves to the promised land of freedom. These stages were:
A new addition to the Passover Seder Jewish rituals is the Miriam's Cup to honor the contributions of women and the role of Miriam, the sister of Moses sister and the Prophetess in the Exodus. However unlike the Elijah's Cup, it is filled with water to commemorate the miraculous Miriam's well that saved the Israelites from dying of thirst during their long journey in the hot desert sun.
- Freedom
- Deliverance
- Redemption
- Release
A new addition to the Passover Seder Jewish rituals is the Miriam's Cup to honor the contributions of women and the role of Miriam, the sister of Moses sister and the Prophetess in the Exodus. However unlike the Elijah's Cup, it is filled with water to commemorate the miraculous Miriam's well that saved the Israelites from dying of thirst during their long journey in the hot desert sun.
Meaning~
Passover (Hebrew, Yiddish: פֶּסַח Pesach, Tiberian: [pɛsaħ], Modern Hebrew: /ˈpesaχ/ Pesah, Pesakh, Yiddish: Peysekh, Paysakh, Paysokh) is a Jewish holiday and festival.
For me, Passover is very meaningful. It was the day when our lives' Saviour, Jesus Christ, is RISEN. He was born in this world (Bethlehem) to sacrifice Himself to redeem my sins and your sins. Well, we called it Christmas for His birth, Good Friday for His death (when He sacrificed Himself at the cross) and finally, Easter/Passover for His Resurrection :)
For me, the meaning of Passover is a triumph! A glorious triumph!! He has washed away our sins and give us a new life!! He has saved me and you!!
I really appreciate His sacrifice at the cross. Him, King of the whole universe, willing to come into the world and leave His mighty throne, only for us, the sinful man. He's willing to come and being tortured and crucified. He do it all for us, because....HE LOVES US <3
So, what can you do to thank Him for all the things He has done for you and me? :)
For me, Passover is very meaningful. It was the day when our lives' Saviour, Jesus Christ, is RISEN. He was born in this world (Bethlehem) to sacrifice Himself to redeem my sins and your sins. Well, we called it Christmas for His birth, Good Friday for His death (when He sacrificed Himself at the cross) and finally, Easter/Passover for His Resurrection :)
For me, the meaning of Passover is a triumph! A glorious triumph!! He has washed away our sins and give us a new life!! He has saved me and you!!
I really appreciate His sacrifice at the cross. Him, King of the whole universe, willing to come into the world and leave His mighty throne, only for us, the sinful man. He's willing to come and being tortured and crucified. He do it all for us, because....HE LOVES US <3
So, what can you do to thank Him for all the things He has done for you and me? :)
Tradition
The Passover Seder
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The most important part of the Passover celebration is the ceremony of Seder. 'Seder' means 'order' in Hebrew and thus, all its rituals are observed in a particular order on this day. Seders are observed on the first 2 nights of the 8 day holiday with lavish meals, special foods, stories and history of Passover, plates, silverware, songs and prayers. It is the time for family and friends to gather together and observe their long held traditions and customs. On the first night of Passover, a thorough search is made throughout the homes and elaborate cleaning takes place to clear them of all yeast foods and grains called chametz.
This chametz has to be either consumed before Passover or 'sold' temporarily to the non-Jewish neighbors and friends and can be bought again later after the Passover. The utensils of daily use are replaced by special dishware and silverware during the Passover holidays. Leavened foods are not allowed and foods that are 'Kosher for Passover' are the only ones that should be eaten during these days. Thus matzoh and foods containing matzoh are consumed greatly in the remembrance of the Israelites who fled quickly into the desert and had no time to bake proper bread for themselves. The Seder table has the Seder plate as its centerpiece.
The Seder table also has three pieces of matzoh placed in a Matzoh Cover. The middle one is broken before the meal begins into half. While one half is returned to the Matzoh Cover, the other half known as the 'Afikomen' is hidden. The children have to hunt for it after the Seder meal and the child who finds it gets a special reward. Some people break the Afikomen in many pieces so that each child may receive a prize. The idea is to keep the children attentive during the ceremony, waiting for the fun. Four cups of wine are drunk on this day to represent the four stages of Exodus and finally, Seder finishes after the child or children find the Afikomen and everyone gets a piece from it.
This chametz has to be either consumed before Passover or 'sold' temporarily to the non-Jewish neighbors and friends and can be bought again later after the Passover. The utensils of daily use are replaced by special dishware and silverware during the Passover holidays. Leavened foods are not allowed and foods that are 'Kosher for Passover' are the only ones that should be eaten during these days. Thus matzoh and foods containing matzoh are consumed greatly in the remembrance of the Israelites who fled quickly into the desert and had no time to bake proper bread for themselves. The Seder table has the Seder plate as its centerpiece.
The Seder table also has three pieces of matzoh placed in a Matzoh Cover. The middle one is broken before the meal begins into half. While one half is returned to the Matzoh Cover, the other half known as the 'Afikomen' is hidden. The children have to hunt for it after the Seder meal and the child who finds it gets a special reward. Some people break the Afikomen in many pieces so that each child may receive a prize. The idea is to keep the children attentive during the ceremony, waiting for the fun. Four cups of wine are drunk on this day to represent the four stages of Exodus and finally, Seder finishes after the child or children find the Afikomen and everyone gets a piece from it.
Seder Table
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Passover is a Jewish festival celebrated to commemorate the liberation of the Hebrews from the enslavement of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh. The festival is a weeklong occasion that begins with the Seder meal taken on the evening of the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. This falls in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. Seder is a ritual feast prepared and consumed as per the Jewish laws. The story of Passover is narrated at the Seder table which is then followed by various customs and traditions to mark the occasion. To know more about how the Passover Seder table is set, continue reading through the following lines.
How To Set The Passover Seder Table
The Seder table is decorated with the finest tablecloth and silverware. The family members put on their best clothes for the meal. Traditionally, the person who leads the Seder is required to wear a white robe known as a kittel. Candles and candle sticks are arranged on trays around the table to catch on the melted wax. Initially, every participant only requires a plate and a wine glass for the first half of the Seder ceremony. Three matzahs are arranged in front of the leader in a special three-tiered matzah holder that comes with a Seder plate on top. Various ceremonial foods are placed near the leader allowing him/ her to prepare the Seder plate.
Horseradish, eggs, charoset and saltwater are placed in porcelain or glass bowls while potatoes, greens and romaine lettuce go in silver bowls. The ceremonial wine is poured into a special goblet for the prophet Elijah, which is placed in the middle of the table. This is then poured into Kiddush cups for everyone present at the Seder. A Haggadah (Passover prayer book), a wine glass, matzah, charoset, salt water, karpas and a hard-boiled egg are placed on each guest’s place at the Seder table. The Haggadahs are placed on top of the appetizer plate, under the dinner napkin.
At most homes, every participant recites critical parts of the Haggadah in the original languages of Hebrew and Aramaic. While reading out the verses, the participants are interrupted by the leader to explain and discuss various points with the children. In some places, it is traditional for everyone to place pillows behind them for additional comfort. They are required to lean towards the left while drinking cups of wine at several points during the Seder. Usually, one or two Seders are observed by the Jews. However, the Israelites observe one Seder night during Passover, while Jews belonging to the Diaspora communities, apart from the Reform and Reconstructionist Jews, hold a Seder on the second night as well.
How To Set The Passover Seder Table
The Seder table is decorated with the finest tablecloth and silverware. The family members put on their best clothes for the meal. Traditionally, the person who leads the Seder is required to wear a white robe known as a kittel. Candles and candle sticks are arranged on trays around the table to catch on the melted wax. Initially, every participant only requires a plate and a wine glass for the first half of the Seder ceremony. Three matzahs are arranged in front of the leader in a special three-tiered matzah holder that comes with a Seder plate on top. Various ceremonial foods are placed near the leader allowing him/ her to prepare the Seder plate.
Horseradish, eggs, charoset and saltwater are placed in porcelain or glass bowls while potatoes, greens and romaine lettuce go in silver bowls. The ceremonial wine is poured into a special goblet for the prophet Elijah, which is placed in the middle of the table. This is then poured into Kiddush cups for everyone present at the Seder. A Haggadah (Passover prayer book), a wine glass, matzah, charoset, salt water, karpas and a hard-boiled egg are placed on each guest’s place at the Seder table. The Haggadahs are placed on top of the appetizer plate, under the dinner napkin.
At most homes, every participant recites critical parts of the Haggadah in the original languages of Hebrew and Aramaic. While reading out the verses, the participants are interrupted by the leader to explain and discuss various points with the children. In some places, it is traditional for everyone to place pillows behind them for additional comfort. They are required to lean towards the left while drinking cups of wine at several points during the Seder. Usually, one or two Seders are observed by the Jews. However, the Israelites observe one Seder night during Passover, while Jews belonging to the Diaspora communities, apart from the Reform and Reconstructionist Jews, hold a Seder on the second night as well.