Jewish Holidays: Passover Seder - Essay Example

?The Jewish Passover is one of the highly celebrated holy days in the Jewish calendar and whose main theme is to commemorate the release of Israelites from Egypt, where they had spent a significant part of their lives i.e. more than 200 years as slaves (Strassfeld, 2001). Apparently, it is believed that God had heard and seen the pain and suffering that these people were undergoing and in response to their prayers, he sent Moses to go and negotiate their release with the then Egyptian Pharaoh. While at it, Moses was instructed to inflict ten plagues in order to compel pharaoh to release the Israelites, and with regard to Passover celebrations, the tenth plague carries the greatest significance. This is due to the fact that all non-Israelite firstborns were to be killed by an angel of death sent by God. However, in order for the spirit to distinguish in which houses to inflict death, all the Israelites were advised to slaughter a lamb and mark their doors with its blood such that the spirit would pass over their homes and go to those which were unmarked (Strassfeld, 2001). In this light, they were ordered to ensure that all the meat from the lamb was roasted and eaten without leaving any sign of it (August, 2000). While at it, they were to pack all their belongings i.e. the portable ones in readiness to embark on the exodus once the pharaoh had accepted to release them. The journey they were about to start was one which did give these people ample time to prepare as it was only in a one night notice and as such, most of the food especially bread was half or totally unleavened and they had to carry it in that state else risk starvation especially due to the fact that most of the terrain on their path was a desert. This was also informed by the fear that once their release was sanctioned, there was a possibility that pharaoh would change his mind and thus, they had to leave in a hurry and as quickly as possible. During the Passover night, the angel of death came as promised and killed all the firstborns in homes belonging to non-Israelites and in the aftermath, Pharaoh agreed to let the Israelites free but as they had anticipated, he changed his mind and sent soldiers to bring them back but by then, Moses and his people had already crossed the red sea (August, 2000). The Passover celebrations are conducted beginning on the 15th day on the month of Nissan, which coincides with the months of March or April on the Gregorian calendar, and runs for 7 to 8 days (Strassfeld, 2001). During this period, believers observe various norms and festivities, most of which are symbolic expressions of the Passover night at the time of exodus. For example, all the households are required to dispose all the chametz in their belonging by way of destroying it completely, or giving it out to non Jews with the intention of reacquiring it after the festivities. Chametz refers to the food items which are mostly products of grain, and which have undergone fermentation. Prior to the commencement of the holy day, households usually embark on a cleanup exercise aimed at removing any traces of chametz, including any utensils that have been used to prepare it, after which thorough inspection is conducted. This in itself symbolizes the unleavened bread that the Israelites carried from Egypt and also the removal of arrogance in the souls of the believers. Instead of chametz, the Jews feast on Matzoh i.e. a mixture of flour and water cooked quickly before 18 minutes are over. This is due to the assumption that dough starts rising within 18 minutes if it is left uncooked thereby becoming chametz (Strassfeld, 2001). The fast of the firstborns is also one of the activities associated with Jewish Passover (Sper, 2003). In this regard, all the firstborns are supposed to participate in commemoration of the fact that they were rescued from the wrath of the angel of death. The fasting is conducted on the day before Passover and is only an obligation of those firstborn males of 13 years and above, which is the most agreed age of halakhic adulthood. However, there are some contentious issues regarding the qualifications for participating in the fast of firstborns. For example, the Schulchan Aruch, which is a highly authoritative Jewish law, dictates that only the firstborn sons to their fathers are supposed to participate thereby leaving out those who are of mothers. This is in the context of a situation whereby the child does not share a father and mother meaning he could be adopted or from a single parent. On the other hand, the Tur exempts such people from participating in the fast (Strassfeld, 2001). In addition to this, all the Jews participate in a ritual known as the Passover Seder, which is basically a special feast that takes place on the first evening of the Passover. It is during this ritual that the story on the exodus from Egypt is read from the haggadah as a way of reminding participants of the trials and tribulations that the Israelites underwent in Egypt thereby renewing their dedication to the Jewish religion as well as informing the young generation on where they are coming from as a way of preserving this important Jewish culture and history (August, 2000). The Seder meal, which accompanies the haggadah, comprises mainly of symbolic foods, which depict the two main themes of Passover i.e. slavery and freedom. For example, there is the bitter herbs and salty water, which symbolizes the tears of slavery as well as items such as green vegetables signifying a different and new life full of freedom (Sper, 2003). Jews inside Israel perform the Seder ritual only on the first day of Passover but those in the Diaspora extend it to the second day. The Seder in the various branches of Judaism such as the Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews vary in terms of composition. Ashkenazi Seder comprises of 5 plates while that of Sephardic Jews comprises of 9 plates whereas other branches use 7 (Sper, 2003). The period of Passover celebration also varies as those inside Israel celebrate for 7 days while those in the Diaspora extend it to 8 days. In addition, some especially in Israel set the first day and the last day of Passover as non working days while others outside Israel have the first two and the last two days for resting (Strassfeld, 2001). References August, L. (2000). Why on This Night? A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration, Simon Pulse Sper, E. (2003).The Passover Seder, Cartwheel Strassfeld, M. (2001). Jewish Holidays, Harper Paperbacks Read More