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A Brief History of Passover
Passover celebrates the miracle that occurred more than 3000 years ago when, according to the Book of Exodus, God intervened on behalf of the Jews by freeing them from slavery in Egypt.
The celebration of Passover lasts for eight days and always begins on the fifteenth of the Hebrew, or lunar month, Nisan. In 2006, Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 12.
Very strict rules surround what is eaten and how food is prepared during Passover. Only "kosher for Passover" foods are permitted. All chametz, foods with or related to leavening (ingredients that cause bread to rise), must be disposed of prior to the holiday.
One symbolic food that must be eaten is matzah which is unleavened bread that resembles a cracker. Matzah is consumed in place of other breads during the eight days of Passover to commemorate the haste with which the Jews left Egypt—their bread didn't have time to rise.
The seder is the most important part of the Passover period. It is a meal during which certain prayers are said and the story of the Exodus is retold. Everything is done in a particular order; the word "seder" actually means "order." For example, participants drink four glasses of wine. The origins of this tradition are still debated, but many scholars believe the four glasses symbolize four promises made by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
The seder meal is significant to Christians, too. It was the matzah and wine of this ritual meal that Jesus shared with his disciples in what became known as The Last Supper. It evolved into the contemporary tradition of Communion, which is observed in many Christian churches today.
A seder plate is central to the ritual dinner at Passover. Seven symbolic foods rest on this special plate: matzah, charoset (a mixture of nuts, apples, and wine), a roasted egg, salt water, horseradish, parsley and a roasted shankbone. Each of these foods represents an element of the Jew's time in slavery.
Each person at the seder uses a Haggadah. The Haggadah retells the story of the Exodus, and guides participants through the seder from beginning to end.
The prophet Elijah is also central to the seder. He represents many things to the Jewish people, including the "poor wanderer." A glass of wine is left for Elijah at the seder table as a reminder that just as the Jews were slaves in Egypt, there are still those less fortunate in the world with whom we all must share our good fortune.
L'Chaim! To life!
The celebration of Passover lasts for eight days and always begins on the fifteenth of the Hebrew, or lunar month, Nisan. In 2006, Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 12.
Very strict rules surround what is eaten and how food is prepared during Passover. Only "kosher for Passover" foods are permitted. All chametz, foods with or related to leavening (ingredients that cause bread to rise), must be disposed of prior to the holiday.
One symbolic food that must be eaten is matzah which is unleavened bread that resembles a cracker. Matzah is consumed in place of other breads during the eight days of Passover to commemorate the haste with which the Jews left Egypt—their bread didn't have time to rise.
The seder is the most important part of the Passover period. It is a meal during which certain prayers are said and the story of the Exodus is retold. Everything is done in a particular order; the word "seder" actually means "order." For example, participants drink four glasses of wine. The origins of this tradition are still debated, but many scholars believe the four glasses symbolize four promises made by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.
The seder meal is significant to Christians, too. It was the matzah and wine of this ritual meal that Jesus shared with his disciples in what became known as The Last Supper. It evolved into the contemporary tradition of Communion, which is observed in many Christian churches today.
A seder plate is central to the ritual dinner at Passover. Seven symbolic foods rest on this special plate: matzah, charoset (a mixture of nuts, apples, and wine), a roasted egg, salt water, horseradish, parsley and a roasted shankbone. Each of these foods represents an element of the Jew's time in slavery.
Each person at the seder uses a Haggadah. The Haggadah retells the story of the Exodus, and guides participants through the seder from beginning to end.
The prophet Elijah is also central to the seder. He represents many things to the Jewish people, including the "poor wanderer." A glass of wine is left for Elijah at the seder table as a reminder that just as the Jews were slaves in Egypt, there are still those less fortunate in the world with whom we all must share our good fortune.
L'Chaim! To life!
Celebrate Passover eResources
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Source: A Brief History of Passover. Hallmark.com April Holiday Resources (last viewed 9 April 2006) [FullText]
Source: A Brief History of Passover. Hallmark.com April Holiday Resources (last viewed 9 April 2006) [FullText]
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