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(5772) April 7-14, 2012
Pesach (Passover) is a Biblical festival that begins on 15 Nisan (in March or April). Pesach is an eight-day holiday that celebrates the Exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt and our freedom from oppression in modern days. The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzoth (the Time of Our Freedom). It is the first of the three pilgrimage festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavuot and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel.
The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Chapters 1-15. Many of the Pesach observances are instituted in Chapters 12-15. Probably the most significant observance related to Pesach involves the removal of leaven/chametz (the five major grains-wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) from our homes. Ashkenazi Jews also avoid kitniyot (rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes-beans) as if they were chametz. We may not own, benefit from, or eat chametz during Pesach (this includes food for the animals). All chametz, including utensils and other kitchen accessories used to cook chametz, must either be disposed of or sold to a non-Jew (they can be repurchased after the holiday). This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise.
The process of cleaning the home of all chametz in preparation for Pesach is an enormous task. To do it right, you must prepare for several weeks and spend several days scrubbing everything down, going over the edges of your stove and fridge with a toothpick and a Q-Tip, covering all surfaces that come in contact with foil or shelf-liner, etc. After the cleaning is completed, the morning before the seder, a formal search of the house for chametz is undertaken, and any remaining chametz is burned. The grain product we eat during Pesach is called matzah which is unleavened bread, made simply from flour and water and cooked very quickly. This is the bread that the Jews made for their flight from Egypt.
The day before Pesach is the Fast of the Firstborn, a minor for all firstborn males, commemorating the fact that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague. It is traditional to study a tractate of Talmud during the night which then allows these men to avoid the fast (one must celebrate when finishing a tractate of Talmud). On the first night of Pesach (first two nights for Jews outside Israel), a seder is held. Pesach lasts for seven days (eight days outside of Israel). The first and last days of the holiday (first two and last two outside of Israel) are days on which no work is permitted. Work is permitted on the intermediate days (Chol Ha-Mo'ed).
Order of the Seder:
Kaddesh - Recite the Kiddush elevating this night above the mundane
Urechatz - Wash the hands before eating karpas
Karpas - Eat a vegetable dipped in salt water so we may taste the tears of anguish and despair of our ancestors when they were slaves in Egypt
Yachatz - Break the middle matzah and put away the larger half for the afikoman while the smaller piece personifies the spiritual and material destitution of our ancestors in Egypt
Maggid - Narrate the story of the Exodus beginning with a child asking “Why is this night different from all other nights?” to put us back in touch with childhood innocence
Rachtzah - Wash the hands prior to the meal to internalize humbleness
Motzi - Recite hamotzi (over matzah) implying that the raw energy from food can give us energy to better serve G-d
Matzah - Recite the blessing over the matzah to exemplify selfless ego and remind us that our ancestors accepted G-d-given freedom with selfless ego rather than arrogance
Maror - Recite the blessing for the eating of the maror in order to taste the bitterness of the exile and clarify the significance of the exile
Korech - Eat the sandwich of matzah and maror to emphasize that now that we are free of slavery we are to reach out to others and share our freeing experience
Shulchan Orech - Prepare the table for the festive meal that begins with dipping a hardboiled egg in saltwater to symbolize our ongoing mourning for the destruction of the Temple and the meal represents our ongoing, common, goal of redemption
Tzafun - Eat the afikoman that had been hidden during the seder as a symbol that we are connected to G-d and we must go through the trials of life (represented by the other parts of the Seder) and listen to our yearning to become connected with G-d
Barech - Recite the Birchat HaMazon and fill the Cup of Elijah after which we stand at the open door with a candle reciting the passage inviting Elijah to appear and usher in the redemption
Hallel - Recite the Hallel (Psalms of Praise) as a way of revealing G-d’s kindness and compassion
Nirtzah - Conclusion of the Seder with the wish “Next year in Jerusalem” invoking the idea that daily we leave Egypt when we reach for higher levels of holiness
Additional Information: Passover: Festival of Freedom :: Pesach :: Passover :: Keeping the Story Alive :: Pesach
Family Activities: Tzivos HaShem: Passover :: Family: Passover
THE FOUR SONS
By Rachel-Esther bat-Avraham
During the Pesach Seder there are questions asked by four sons. The sons are symbols of four types of Jews.
The wise son asks, "What are the testimonies, statutes, and laws that Hashem, our G-d has commanded you?" Like this son, the wise Jew seeks knowledge. Daily study of Torah is a mitzvot. Jews not only study themselves but also assist other Jews by teaching them Torah.
The wicked son asks, "What does this service mean to you?" Like this son, the wicked Jew seeks to separate him/herself from Klal Yisrael. Jews are commanded to be their "brothers' keepers" and not separate themselves from the community of Jews. Jews must not only remain with Klal Yisrael but also assist others to remain or return to the community of Jews.
The simple son asks, "What does this mean?" Like this son, the uneducated Jew knows not of Torah. Jews are commanded to study Torah daily and to teach Torah to their children. Jews must ensure that their children are taught Torah and also assist their fellow Jews in learning Torah.
The silent son asks nothing. Like this son, the silent Jew neither asks nor teaches. Jews must not allow fellow Jews to remain silent. Jews must seek out those who do not know what to ask and teach them.
© Rachel-Esther bat-Avraham 2003-2012
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