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Passover comes from the
Bible, first mentioned in the book of Exodus. As God pronounced to the
people of Israel enslaved in Egypt that he would free them, he said he
would "Smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt." However, he
instructed the Israelites to put a sign of lamb's blood on their door
posts: "and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." (Exodus 12)
also see:
Jewish Holidays
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Names of Jewish Months |
Although the
term itself is not mentioned until the Book of Exodus, there are
indications that at least parts of the feast were observed in earlier
times. For example, in Genesis 19:3 reference is made to "unleavened
bread" without any reason given for it.
The two main commandments associated with the holiday are: eating
matzah,
or unleavened bread; and the prohibition of eating any foods containing
leavening during the holiday. In ancient times there was a third: the
offering of a lamb in the evening on the 14th of the Hebrew month of
Nisan (also known as Abib) and the eating that night of the Passover
sacrifice. The commandments have since combined into a special Passover
feast called the seder, celebrated on the first two evenings of the
holiday (but only on the first evening in Israel). Other customs
associated with Passover include eating bitter herbs and other foods at
the seder celebration. While many reasons are given for eating
matzah,
the most popular tradition is that it recalls the bread the Israelites
ate at the time of the Exodus: in their rush to leave Egypt, they did
not have time for the bread to rise.
Traditions and those who
celebrate the Passover
There are many peoples throughout the world who celebrate
the Passover feast. The customs vary for each culture.
Though, as mentioned above, some may have celebrated this
Feast before Israel existed, the Israelites are the first
explicitly recorded to keep it. The Jews have continued to
celebrate it to this day.
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Modern Jewish customs Before the holiday
begins, observant Jews will remove and discard all
food with leavening (called chametz) from their
households, doing a thorough job, so that not even a
crumb remains. This tradition is called
bedikat chametz. Throughout the holiday, they
will eat no leavened food, replacing breads, pastas,
and cakes with matzoh and other specially prepared
foods. |
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Articles
on Passover |
A Passover Thought |
Israel Map |
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An
Unforgettable Passover |
Israel Map |
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The Color of Wine |
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Jews' Passover Facsimile of a miniature from a
missel of fifteenth century ornamented with
paintings of the School of Van Eyck. Bibl. de
l'Arsenal, Th. lat., no 199.
Passover is a family holiday and a happy one. The
first and seventh days are observed as full
holidays, as are the second and eighth days for many
Diaspora Jews.
It is traditional for a Jewish family to gather on
the first two nights (only one night in Israel) for
a special dinner called a seder (literally
translating as "order", due to the very specific
order of the ceremony) where the story of the
Israelite exodus from Egypt is retold by the reading
of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the
Haggadah. |
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At the seder three
matzahs are used. During the seder, the
middle
matzah is broken in half. The smaller piece is
returned to the set of
matzahs while the larger piece is
designated as the afikomen, or the dessert matzoh. Two
distinct customs have arisen regarding the afikomen, both of
which involve the afikomen being hidden as a means of
keeping the children interested in the proceedings. In one
custom, a child "steals" it and the parent has to find it.
If the parent can't find it, the child is given a reward for
the return of the afikomen. In the other custom the parents
hide the afikomen and the children look for it at the end of
the meal. If the children find it, they receive the reward.
During the seder, a platter, called the "Seder Plate" is a
main part of the dinner. The Seder Plate has on it all of
the main symbols of Passover. There is a roasted shank bone
of a paschal lamb called a "Z'roa" which represents the
offerings at the temple at
Jerusalem on Passover. It has a
roasted egg called a "Beitzah" which represents the Second
offerings given at the temple in Jerusalem on Pesach,
Shavuot, and Sukkot/Succot. There is a green, leafy
vegetable (usually celery (S.) or parsley/lettuce (A.))
called "Karpas" which reminds the participants that Passover
corresponds with Spring and the harvest, which, in ancient
times was a cause for celebration itself. There is a dish of
chopped fruits, nuts, and wine called "Charoset" which
represents the mortar used by the Jews in bondage. There is
dish of "maror" or bitter herbs which represent the
bitterness of slavery.
There is a tradition of speaking of Four Sons. The Wise son,
the Wicked son, the Simple one, and the Young one, who does
not know enough to inquire. These sons represent the
different types of Jews. The Wise son is the observant Jews.
The Wicked son is the Jews that reject their heritage and
religion. The Simple one is the Jews that are completely
indifferent. The Young one is the
Jews that don't know their
culture or traditions and so, cannot say anything on the
subject.
Since "Seder" means "order", it is not unexpected that there
is an order to the night's proceedings. The night goes as
follows:
Kaddesh קדש (Saying of Kiddush blessing and the first cup of
Wine)
Ur'chatz ורחץ (The washing of the hands)
Karpas כרפס (Dipping of the Karpas in salt water)
Yachatz יחץ (Break middle matzoh. It becomes the Afikomen)
Maggid מגיד(Telling of the Passover story. The saying of the
Four Question.)
Rochtzah רחץ(Second washing of the hands)
Motzi/ Matzah מוציא / מצה (Saying of the matzah blessing)
Maror מרור (Eating of charoset and maror)
Korech כורך (Eating of Matzah, charoset, and maror)
Shulchan Orech שולחן עורך (Dinner is served)
Tzafun צפון (Eating of the Afikomen)
Barech ברך (After dinner blessing, Wine, and in Ashkenazi
families: welcoming of Elijah the Prophet)
Hallel הלל (Song singing, more wine)
Nirtzah נירצה (Conclusion)
| Jewish |
Secular Calendar Starting
after sunset Ending before sunset |
| 5765 |
23 April 2005 1 May 2005
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| 5766
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12 April 2006 20 April
2006 |
| 5767
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2 April 2007 10 April 2007
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| 5768 |
19 April 2008 27 April
2008 |
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