The Passover Feast
Passover, the most important festival of the Jews, is celebrated over eight days, in the month of Nisan. It commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from the Pharaohs of Egypt. The highlight of this event is a ceremonial feast called Seder.
Passover literally means `passing over`. It is also called Hag-ha-matzoth or the `festival of unleavened bread`, Zema Herutemu or the `season of our freedom`, and Hag-ha-aviv or the `festival of spring`. It is observed before the barley harvest, in Nisan.
During this festival, the Jews commemorate the escape of their forebears from Egypt in the 13th century BC. Enslaved by the Pharaohs for over 3,000 years, it was not until the time of Prophet Moses that they decided to flee that country. It is believed that under his leadership, they prepared for their exodus in complete secrecy. On the eve of their departure, a lamb was killed, and then hurriedly roasted. Since they did not have enough time to wait for the dough of the bread to ferment, they ate the lamb with matzoth or unleavened bread, and Maror, a bitter herb.
The feast derived its name and main rites from this happening. In accordance with Rabbinic law, there are holidays on the first two and the last two days of this eight-day festival. Many Jews undertake a pilgrimage to the temple at Jerusalem (see Introduction to Judaism) during Passover.
On the first two nights of the festival, the escape from Egypt is relived at a ceremonial family meal called `Seder`. Friends, neighbours and relatives are invited to the feast for which a special table is laid. Polished candlesticks, flowers, wine, fruit, nuts, raisins, a large goblet of wine, and the Haggadah are placed on the table, which is covered with a white cloth. The door is left partially open to signifya welcome for Prophet Elijah. A special Passover plate is also decorated with foods, symbolising various events in the life of the Jews in Egypt and the Passover incident: Maror, a bitter herb as a token of the bitter persecution they suffered under the Pharaohs; amixture of chopped, crushed apples, raisins, almonds, nuts, cinnamon and wine called Charoseth, to represent the bricks and mortar with which the enslaved Jews built the palaces and monuments of their oppressors; a hard boiled egg, Beitah, to denote a new life of prosperity for the Israelis after their escape from Egypt; and a shank bone of lamb, some parsley or other green vegetables, to recall that it is a spring festival. To the right of this plate are placed three loaves of unleavened bread to remind them of the haste with which their kith left Egypt.
The service is conducted by the eldest man, grandfather, father or the eldest son, of the family. He reclineson pillows at the head of the table, to illustrate freedom and ease while the mother of the house lights the candles. The Seder is then declared open with an introductory thanks giving speech by him. All those present drink their first cup of wine after repeating the customary blessings for wine. The leader then uncovers the matzoth, takes out the middle one, breaks it into two and puts one piece back. The other part is hidden while the children close their eyes. They hunt for it after the meal and the child who finds it is rewarded. This teaches the children that everything can be regained if they work hard enough at it.
In the ritual, the plate with the matzoth is held aloft by the leader, while the congregation repeats the call to Passover, the present tense used to relive the experience. He then shows the matzoth around and recites this hymn from the Haggadah, possibly the same one used while celebrating the first Passover: Ha lachma an-yah di achalu avahatana b`ara d`Mitzrayim. Kol dichfin yaytay v`yaychul ; kol ditzrich yaytay v`yifsach. Ha-shata hacha, l`shanah ha-ba`ah b`ara d`Yisrael. Ha-shata avday, l`shanah ha-ba`ah b`nay chorin.
It translates as: `This is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungered come and eat! Who ever is in need,come and celebrate the Passover with us. Now here, next year in the land of Israel. Now enslaved, next year sons of freedom.`
The ceremony continues with the youngest child at the table asking why Passover night is different from all the other nights, with four questions:
Why do we eat unleavened bread ?
Why do we use bitter herbs ?
Why do we dip the herbs in salt water ?
Why do we recline at the table ?
All these questions are answered by the leader as he narrates the story of the exodus from the Haggadah, and explains the significance of each item on the Passover plate.
At the end of the story, everyone has their second cup of wine. The leader then breaks the matzoth into many pieces and passes the plate around. Everyone takes a piece and eats it first plain and then with the bitter herb. The Passover plate is removed after this ritual and the meal is served. At the end of the feast, traditional Jewish songs are sung.
During the eight-day festival, allforms of leaven are prohibited in thehouse. Grains like wheat, barley, rye, hoats or any others which through contact with water can start fermenting are removed. On the eve of the festival, a thorough search is made to rid the house of the smallest morsel of yeast. If any is found, it is kept aside and burnt the following morning. Any leavened food or drink which cannot be removed before Passover or which are intended to be used after the feast can be sold to a non-Jew for the duration of the celebrations.
Jewish law dictates the use of separate dishes for the preparation of the Passover feast. Any utensils, crockery or cutlery which have been in normal service are not to be used.