Pesach (Passover) is important to us since in it we relive the Exodus from Egypt and our birth as a nation, both of which were preparations for receiving the Torah from God.
The highlight of Passover is the Seder meal. This meal is of great importance in Judaism. It is a 3325-year old continuoustradition that began on the night of the Exodus from Egypt (see Exodus chapter 12), and is fully detailed in our ancient Oral Traditions (Talmud, chapter Arvei Pesachim).
The Seder meal is one of those occasions, like Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, that Jews all over the world, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, observe in common. During the Seder, we keep the essential mitzva and customs of handing Jewish traditions down to the next generation, with the traditional Seder foods and the ceremony of reading the Passover Haggadah which retells the events of the Exodus.
During the Seder meal, other traditional foods are eaten in addition to the matzah: bitter herbs, parsley, wine and haroset (see below). Salt water, a roasted egg, and a bit of roasted meat are also on the table.
During all the days of Passover, matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten; while leavened foods such as bread, cake, cookies, cereal and pasta are forbidden. Certain prayers are added in the synagogue services, and the Torah is read each day.
Here is the symbolism of the items on the Seder plate:
The bitter herbs (maror) symbolize the harsh slavery which the Israelites suffered in Egypt. Horseradish and/or romaine lettuce are traditionally used for maror.
Charoset - A sweet mixture representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt. In Ashkenazi Jewish homes, charoset is traditionally made from chopped nuts, grated apples, cinnamon, and sweet red wine.
Karpas - A vegetable other than bitter herbs, traditionally parsley, which is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder. The dipping of a simple herb into salt water (which represents tears) recalls the pain felt by the Israelite slaves in Egypt.
Beitzah - A hard-boiled egg, symbolizing the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem and roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. Although both the Pesach sacrifice and the chagigah were meat-offerings, the chagigah is commemorated by an egg, a symbol of mourning.
Z'roa - A roasted lamb or goat shank-bone, chicken wing, or chicken neck; symbolizing the korban Pesach (Pesach sacrifice), which was a lamb that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem, then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night.
See also:
Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish ancestors from Egypt and into freedom.
Matzah (plural is Matzot) is the Hebrew word for unleavened bread and is eaten by Jews during the festival of Passover.
The word 'seder' means 'order' and refers to the religious service held inside the home the first night of Passover in Israel and the first two nights of Passover outside of Israel. The significance of the seder is that it it fulfilling a commandment set by HaShem (The Creator) telling Jews that they must retell the story of the Exodus every year during the holiday of Passover. During the seder, the story of the Exodus is read, symbolic food is eaten as part of the ceremony, prayers are recited, and a large meal is eaten.
There is conflicting evidence in the New Testament with regard to the death of Jesus. The synoptic Gospels imply that it was after the Passover, while the Gospel of John says he was crucified just prior to the Passover and gave up his spirit approximately at the time the Passover was to be slaughtered. Therefore we can conclude that while the Gospels may disagree on an exact time for Jesus' death, it is reasonably discernible that the purpose of the Gospel writers was to emphasize the significance of Passover observance. For it is their mention of the feast where they ultimately find common ground. ----
Yes.
The first Passover was in Egypt
Passover is called "Pessa'h" in French. This is not a French word, but comes from Hebrew.
In Hebrew it is: Chag Pesach sameach In English it is: Happy Passover
Before Passover.
"It's time to get ready for Passover."
The 1st passover was in Egypt.
Passover celebrates the Exodus.
Passover commemorates the Exodus.