Monday, April 4, 2011

Passover Seder



The first Passover is described in Exodus 12. Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples in Luke 22. The Passover Seder is also celebrated by many Christian families, including my family. We celebrate the Passover Seder remembering that Jesus was our passover lamb and that He rose again! There are numerous items on the Seder plate. Each item is symbolic of the exodus and first Passover.

From Rabbi Avram Yehoshua:

"Haggadah means 'the telling.' Passover is a story that has been retold for thousands of years. It is a story of miraculous transitions--from slavery to freedom, from despair to hope, from darkness to light. Its greatness is the greatness of God. Its timelessness comes from the eternal truth of His involvement with His people. As God cared for the children of Israel in ancient times, He cares fro all who are His today.

It was no coincidence that Messiah chose the Passover for the setting of what is now celebrated as communion, the Lord's supper. For in the story of the Passover lamb, Yeshua could best communicate the course He would be taking over the confusing hours that were to follow. Here, as we participate together in the Passover seder, may we experience once again God's great redemption."

Seder Plate:

Salt water:Represents life in Egypt for the children of Israel was a life of pain, suffering, and tears, represented by this salt water. The sprig of parsley is dipped into the salt water, remembering that life is sometimes immersed in tears.

Parsley:Passover is a holiday that comes in the springtime, when the earth is becoming green with life. The vegetable, called karpas, represents life, created and sustained by Almighty God.

Horseradish/Horseradish root (or an onion slice): Scooping some maror (horseradish) onto a piece of matzh,allows the bitter taste to cause us to shed tears of compassion for the sorrow that the children of Israel knew thousands of years ago.

Note from Paula:Brings tears to your eyes to remember the tears shed. I sometimes cheat and use horseradish sauce. To be authentic, you should use the real stuff. Boy does it bring tears to your eyes.

Boiled Egg: A roasted egg is added to the seder. It is called khagigah, a name signifying the special holiday offering. The egg is regarded as a symbol of mourning, remind us us of the destruction of the second Temple. It is also considered by many to denote new birth and eternal life, since the shape of an egg shows no beginning and no end.

Charoseth:Represents the mortar used by Hebrew slaves in Egypt to make bricks for Pharaoh before the exodus of Israel from Egypt. The sweet apple mixture can be used as a side dish during your meal. I always make extra and make a delicious apple pie with the 'left over' charoseth.

Shank bone of a lamb:The roasted shank-bone represents the lamb whose blood marked the houses of the children of Israel, signifying their obedience to God's command.

Matzah:An unleavened bread used during the Passover.
As the children of Israel fled Egypt they did not have time for their dough to rise. But more than that, Scriptures teaches us that leaven represents sin. During passover eating matzah represents us break our old habits of sin and selfishness and begin a fresh, new, and holy life.

The matzah also is pierced with tiny holes and has stripes. "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 The symbolism is incredible of what Christ represents in the Passover.

Charoseth

1 apple (Core, peel and finely chop tart apple
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1-2 tsp honey
1 Tbs. grape juice.

This mixture will turn dark which is what you want for the Seder plate. It makes a great fruit side dish and wonderful pie.

Note from Paula: Estimate 1/4 apple per person to determine how much to prepare.







There is so much more to a Passover..there is the special meal; the table setting; and much, much more. You can see many things to add to this special meal. If you would like more details, let me know. May God bless you richly this Resurrection Celebration!

No comments:

Post a Comment