Passover

Passover (Pesach) is celebrated the 15th day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar. The eight-day (8-day) observance of Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Hebrews/Israelites from slavery in Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses III.

The Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Scripture recounts the life and call of Moses to rescue the Hebrew slaves. Ten plagues are visited on Egypt before Pharaoh agrees to let the people leave. The 10th plague was the killing of the firstborn humans, “the spirit of death.”

Exodus recounts how God saved the Hebrews by giving instruction to Moses to have them mark their dwellings with blood so they could be identified and the “spirit of death” would pass over* their houses. (*The root of Pesach (Passover, in English) is Peh-Samech-Chet which means to pass through or pass over.)

The Seder is a ritualized meal that recounts the story of Pharaoh and the freeing of the Hebrew slaves. Reciting the Haggadah (the Seder Prayers) and sharing ritual foods, those gathered for Seder are led through a recitation of the ancient story of Israel's redemption from bondage in Egypt. In this way, the Jewish people commemorate their history and their relationship with a God who acts in history to uphold human dignity and condemns social practices like slavery that violate human dignity and worth.

The symbolism of Passover rituals

Prior to Passover the house must be completely cleaned, with all leavened bread removed. This commemorates the quick flight to the desert when there was no time for the bread to rise, and women baked bread on rocks in the heat of the sun. Today, the matzoh (crackers) represents that unleavened bread eaten in the desert. The removal of the leavened bread also serves as a metaphor for the removal of personal pride (puffiness).

In the Seder, 3 pieces of matzoh are placed in the center of the table. The middle piece is broken in half. One-half is returned to the plate and ½ is hidden for the children to find. The child who finds the hidden piece (the Afikimen) is rewarded with a prize. In some households, many pieces are hidden so that all children can delight in the search and receipt of a prize.

While a dinner is served at the Seder, there are also certain prescribed foods that are representative of the Hebrew’s struggle in Egypt or their deliverance:

Haroseth, a mixture of chopped walnuts, wine, cinnamon, and apples are served to symbolize the mortar used to make bricks for the Pharaoh’s building projects.

Parsley is dipped in salt water. The plant itself is seen to symbolize the lowly status of the Hebrews and the promise of springtime rebirth. The salt water symbolizes the tears of the slaves.

A hardboiled egg is also served, symbolizing spring.

The shank bone (sometimes the bone of a chicken or turkey served at dinner) symbolizes the sacrificial lamb offering.

Maror, or bitter herbs (grated horseradish), is served to remind one of the bitterness of slavery and the invective of Pharaoh.

Four glasses of wine are served at different points in the Seder to symbolize freedom, deliverance, redemption, and release.

A cup is set for the prophet Elijah since his return is promised in the Hebrew Scripture. It is believed that Elijah will return on Pesach to announce the coming of the Messiah.

Fifteen specific actions form the Seder meal, including the retelling of the story or the Maggid. The youngest person present asks The Four Questions, “A set of questions about the proceedings designed to encourage participation in the Seder. The Four Questions are also known as Mah Nishtanah (Why is this night different?), which are the first words of the Four Questions, are often sung by the children. The Maggid is designed to satisfy the needs of four different types of people: the wise one, who wants to know the technical details; the wicked one, who excludes himself (and learns the penalty for doing so); the simple one, who needs to know the basics; and the one who is unable to ask, who doesn't even know enough to know what he needs to know.” (Judaism 101)

For more information on Passover (Pesach), visit Judaism 101. You’ll even find the tune of The Four Questions!