Difference between revisions of "Celebrate Passover"
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Passover (called ''Pesach'' in Hebrew) is one of the most important holidays in Judaism. It commemorates the escape of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, and is celebrated either in March or April, depending on the dates in the Hebrew Calendar. The main themes highlighted in the seder ritual feast are freedom, redemption and thankfulness. If you want to celebrate Passover as someone new to Jewish customs, start by preparing properly for the Passover celebration and following the right customs when you attend the Passover meal. You can also celebrate Passover in other ways with movies or books if you cannot attend the traditional meal. | Passover (called ''Pesach'' in Hebrew) is one of the most important holidays in Judaism. It commemorates the escape of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, and is celebrated either in March or April, depending on the dates in the Hebrew Calendar. The main themes highlighted in the seder ritual feast are freedom, redemption and thankfulness. If you want to celebrate Passover as someone new to Jewish customs, start by preparing properly for the Passover celebration and following the right customs when you attend the Passover meal. You can also celebrate Passover in other ways with movies or books if you cannot attend the traditional meal. | ||
| − | [[Category:Passover]] | + | [[Category: Passover]] |
| − | [[Category:Jewish Holy Days]] | + | [[Category: Jewish Holy Days]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Preparing for the Passover Celebration=== | ===Preparing for the Passover Celebration=== | ||
| − | #Mark the date for Passover. Passover lasts for eight days. It begins at sundown in early spring, known as the month of ''Nissan'' in the Hebrew calendar. The start date of Passover will change every year based on when ''Nissan'' occurs in the Hebrew calendar. Consult a Hebrew calendar for the exact dates for Passover in your year.<ref>http://chosenpeople.com/main/holidays-and-festivals/236-frequently-asked-questions-about-passover</ref> | + | #Mark the date for Passover. Passover lasts for eight days. It begins at sundown in early spring, known as the month of ''Nissan'' in the Hebrew calendar. The start date of Passover will change every year based on when ''Nissan'' occurs in the Hebrew calendar. Consult a Hebrew calendar for the exact dates for Passover in your year.<ref name="rf1">http://chosenpeople.com/main/holidays-and-festivals/236-frequently-asked-questions-about-passover</ref> |
#*If you are going to a Passover celebration hosted by someone who is Jewish, ask them for the exact dates for Passover. | #*If you are going to a Passover celebration hosted by someone who is Jewish, ask them for the exact dates for Passover. | ||
| − | #Take time off from work. Passover is divided into two parts. The first two days and the last two days of Passover are considered holidays, where no work is done. This includes driving, writing, or using electrical devices. However, you can cook and carry items outdoors when needed. The middle four days during Passover are called Chol Hamoed and you can do work during these days.<ref>http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/671901/jewish/When-is-Passover-in-2013-2014-2015-2016-and-2017.htm</ref> | + | #Take time off from work. Passover is divided into two parts. The first two days and the last two days of Passover are considered holidays, where no work is done. This includes driving, writing, or using electrical devices. However, you can cook and carry items outdoors when needed. The middle four days during Passover are called Chol Hamoed and you can do work during these days.<ref name="rf2">http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/671901/jewish/When-is-Passover-in-2013-2014-2015-2016-and-2017.htm</ref> |
#*It can be an adjustment to not do work during the first two days and last two days of Passover. Do any work you need to get done before Passover begins or save it for the middle four days of Passover so you do not break with tradition. | #*It can be an adjustment to not do work during the first two days and last two days of Passover. Do any work you need to get done before Passover begins or save it for the middle four days of Passover so you do not break with tradition. | ||
| − | #Get rid of all leavening products. Any leavening products, called ''chametz'' in Hebrew, should be removed before the beginning of Passover. This is to honor the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt. It is part of the Passover tradition to avoid consuming or owning any food or drink that contains wheat products. Clean your home of any of these products to prepare for Passover.<ref>http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover-Pesach.htm</ref> | + | #Get rid of all leavening products. Any leavening products, called ''chametz'' in Hebrew, should be removed before the beginning of Passover. This is to honor the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt. It is part of the Passover tradition to avoid consuming or owning any food or drink that contains wheat products. Clean your home of any of these products to prepare for Passover.<ref name="rf3">http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover-Pesach.htm</ref> |
#*This means any wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt products. You should also remove any bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pizza, pasta, and alcoholic beverages. | #*This means any wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt products. You should also remove any bread, cake, cookies, cereal, pizza, pasta, and alcoholic beverages. | ||
#*This does not include products like baking powder or baking soda. | #*This does not include products like baking powder or baking soda. | ||
#*''Chametz'' is considered the 'anthesis' (the flowering period of a plant) of matzah and a representation of egotism. Getting rid of ''chametz'' is a key part of celebrating Passover and embracing selflessness. | #*''Chametz'' is considered the 'anthesis' (the flowering period of a plant) of matzah and a representation of egotism. Getting rid of ''chametz'' is a key part of celebrating Passover and embracing selflessness. | ||
| − | #Clean your home. Another key aspect of Passover is cleaning the home before Passover begins. Do a thorough cleaning of every nook and cranny of your home, from room to room. Dust, mop, sweep, and wipe each surface in your home. Often the weeks leading to Passover are spent cleaning the home to prepare.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/passover-2016-everything-you-need-to-know-a6986651.html</ref> | + | #Clean your home. Another key aspect of Passover is cleaning the home before Passover begins. Do a thorough cleaning of every nook and cranny of your home, from room to room. Dust, mop, sweep, and wipe each surface in your home. Often the weeks leading to Passover are spent cleaning the home to prepare.<ref name="rf4">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/passover-2016-everything-you-need-to-know-a6986651.html</ref> |
| − | #Avoid forbidden foods for Passover. During Passover, you cannot eat certain meats such as pork, shellfish, lobster, shrimp, crab, rabbit, and any seafood without fins or scales, such as swordfish and sturgeon. You cannot eat any products made with these ingredients.<ref>http://toriavey.com/what-foods-are-kosher-for-passover/#yuTKh0SLMWQX7Ruk.99</ref> | + | #Avoid forbidden foods for Passover. During Passover, you cannot eat certain meats such as pork, shellfish, lobster, shrimp, crab, rabbit, and any seafood without fins or scales, such as swordfish and sturgeon. You cannot eat any products made with these ingredients.<ref name="rf5">http://toriavey.com/what-foods-are-kosher-for-passover/#yuTKh0SLMWQX7Ruk.99</ref> |
#*It is also tradition to not eat meat in combination with dairy during Passover. So you do not have cheese, butter, or cream sauce on beef or chicken. | #*It is also tradition to not eat meat in combination with dairy during Passover. So you do not have cheese, butter, or cream sauce on beef or chicken. | ||
#*Fish and eggs are allowed during Passover as long as they are served with dairy or with meat. | #*Fish and eggs are allowed during Passover as long as they are served with dairy or with meat. | ||
#*When you shop for Passover foods, look for the labels saying: "Kosher for Passover," "May be used for Passover," and "Kosher for Passover and all year round." | #*When you shop for Passover foods, look for the labels saying: "Kosher for Passover," "May be used for Passover," and "Kosher for Passover and all year round." | ||
=== Attending the Passover Meal=== | === Attending the Passover Meal=== | ||
| − | #Put together a seder plate. The most important celebration of the Passover week is the seder, a festive meal, which is usually held on the first night of Passover. The seder plate plays a central role in the Passover celebration. It consists of six symbolic foods, plus three pieces of matzah which will be placed on a separate plate. The six symbolic foods are:<ref>http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1998/jewish/The-Seder-Plate.htm</ref> | + | #Put together a seder plate. The most important celebration of the Passover week is the seder, a festive meal, which is usually held on the first night of Passover. The seder plate plays a central role in the Passover celebration. It consists of six symbolic foods, plus three pieces of matzah which will be placed on a separate plate. The six symbolic foods are:<ref name="rf6">http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1998/jewish/The-Seder-Plate.htm</ref> |
#*The Bitter Herbs. Traditionally this would be horseradish but parsley, green onion, or celery can also be used. | #*The Bitter Herbs. Traditionally this would be horseradish but parsley, green onion, or celery can also be used. | ||
#*The Paste or Charoset. This is a mixture which represents the mortar used by the slaves to build the pyramids of Egypt. It is usually a mixture of apples, nuts and wine. A variety of recipes can be found online. | #*The Paste or Charoset. This is a mixture which represents the mortar used by the slaves to build the pyramids of Egypt. It is usually a mixture of apples, nuts and wine. A variety of recipes can be found online. | ||
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#*You can find a copy of the Haggadah in English [http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/661624/jewish/English-Haggadah.htm online]. | #*You can find a copy of the Haggadah in English [http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/661624/jewish/English-Haggadah.htm online]. | ||
#*You can also listen to a recitation of “The Order of the Seder” [http://www.reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/Kadeish%20Urchatz.mp3 online]. | #*You can also listen to a recitation of “The Order of the Seder” [http://www.reformjudaism.org/sites/default/files/Kadeish%20Urchatz.mp3 online]. | ||
| − | #Say the Kiddush. This is a blessing said over wine in honor of Passover. Say the Kiddush blessing and then drink the first of four cups of wine.<ref>http://www.reformjudaism.org/passover-customs-and-rituals</ref> | + | #Say the Kiddush. This is a blessing said over wine in honor of Passover. Say the Kiddush blessing and then drink the first of four cups of wine.<ref name="rf7">http://www.reformjudaism.org/passover-customs-and-rituals</ref> |
#*You can then pour the second cup of wine but do not drink it yet. | #*You can then pour the second cup of wine but do not drink it yet. | ||
| − | #Wash your hands (Urchatz). Wash your the hands without a blessing. This is to prepare for the eating of the Karpas.<ref | + | #Wash your hands (Urchatz). Wash your the hands without a blessing. This is to prepare for the eating of the Karpas.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Eat the Karpas. This is a vegetable, usually parsley. Dip the vegetable in the saltwater and eat it.<ref | + | #Eat the Karpas. This is a vegetable, usually parsley. Dip the vegetable in the saltwater and eat it.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#*The vegetable is a symbol of the humble origins of the Jewish people. The salt water is a symbol of the tears shed due to slavery. | #*The vegetable is a symbol of the humble origins of the Jewish people. The salt water is a symbol of the tears shed due to slavery. | ||
| − | #Break the matzah (unleavened bread). Break the middle of the three matzah on the table, known as "yachatz". Return the smaller part to the pile. The larger part will be returned to the pile for the afikoman.<ref | + | #Break the matzah (unleavened bread). Break the middle of the three matzah on the table, known as "yachatz". Return the smaller part to the pile. The larger part will be returned to the pile for the afikoman.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Say the Maggid. Tell the story of Passover, which is the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Have the youngest child ask the traditional four questions, and drink the second cup of wine. The traditional four questions are:<ref | + | #Say the Maggid. Tell the story of Passover, which is the story of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Have the youngest child ask the traditional four questions, and drink the second cup of wine. The traditional four questions are:<ref name="rf7" /> |
#*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? That in all other nights we eat both chametz and matzah, on this night, we eat only matzah?" | #*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? That in all other nights we eat both chametz and matzah, on this night, we eat only matzah?" | ||
#*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? That in all other nights we eat many vegetables, on this night, maror?" | #*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? That in all other nights we eat many vegetables, on this night, maror?" | ||
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#*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? On all other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining, either sitting or reclining. On this night, on this night, we all recline." | #*"What has changed, this night, from all the other nights? On all other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining, either sitting or reclining. On this night, on this night, we all recline." | ||
#*At the end of the Maggid, a blessing is recited over the second cup of wine and then the cup is drunk. | #*At the end of the Maggid, a blessing is recited over the second cup of wine and then the cup is drunk. | ||
| − | #Wash your hands again (Rachtzah). This time, include a blessing. This is to prepare for the eating of the matzah.<ref | + | #Wash your hands again (Rachtzah). This time, include a blessing. This is to prepare for the eating of the matzah.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Say the Motzi. Recite the traditional blessing for eating bread, called the ha-motzi, over the matzos.<ref | + | #Say the Motzi. Recite the traditional blessing for eating bread, called the ha-motzi, over the matzos.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Eat the Matzo. Recite the blessing for eating matzah and eat a small portion of the matzah.<ref | + | #Eat the Matzo. Recite the blessing for eating matzah and eat a small portion of the matzah.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Eat the Maror. Bless and eat the bitter herbs. These can be dipped in the Charoset.<ref | + | #Eat the Maror. Bless and eat the bitter herbs. These can be dipped in the Charoset.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Eat the Koreich. Make a sandwich of matzah, bitter herbs and charoset. Eat this.<ref | + | #Eat the Koreich. Make a sandwich of matzah, bitter herbs and charoset. Eat this.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Set the table (Shulchan oreich). This is the big dinner. You can eat whatever you want (as long as it does not include leavening) but gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, and brisket are most common.<ref | + | #Set the table (Shulchan oreich). This is the big dinner. You can eat whatever you want (as long as it does not include leavening) but gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, and brisket are most common.<ref name="rf7" /> |
| − | #Find and eat the afikoman (Tzafun). This is when the afikoman, the piece of matzah set aside earlier in the meal, is to be eaten as a dessert. Traditionally, children will steal it earlier in the meal and hide it for the adults to ransom back with candy or toys.<ref | + | #Find and eat the afikoman (Tzafun). This is when the afikoman, the piece of matzah set aside earlier in the meal, is to be eaten as a dessert. Traditionally, children will steal it earlier in the meal and hide it for the adults to ransom back with candy or toys.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#*Another option is to have the adults hide the afikoman. Then, the children can be paid in candy or toys to find and return it. | #*Another option is to have the adults hide the afikoman. Then, the children can be paid in candy or toys to find and return it. | ||
| − | #Welcome Elijah (Bareich). Say the after-meal blessing and drink the third cup of wine. Then, pour the fourth cup of wine for the prophet Elijah and open the door of the home briefly to allow him entrance.<ref | + | #Welcome Elijah (Bareich). Say the after-meal blessing and drink the third cup of wine. Then, pour the fourth cup of wine for the prophet Elijah and open the door of the home briefly to allow him entrance.<ref name="rf7" /> |
#Say the Hallel. Recite psalms, bless the fourth cup of wine, and drink it. | #Say the Hallel. Recite psalms, bless the fourth cup of wine, and drink it. | ||
| − | #Conclude the evening (Nirtzah). Conclude the seder with wishes for the next year, songs, stories, or expressions of affection and faith.<ref | + | #Conclude the evening (Nirtzah). Conclude the seder with wishes for the next year, songs, stories, or expressions of affection and faith.<ref name="rf7" /> |
===Celebrating Passover in Other Ways=== | ===Celebrating Passover in Other Ways=== | ||
#Watch Passover movies. You can watch movies relating to Passover with your family or children. Not only can this entertain the whole family, but it can serve to remind everyone of the importance of the holiday. It can also open up a discussion the history of the Jewish people and the purpose of Passover. | #Watch Passover movies. You can watch movies relating to Passover with your family or children. Not only can this entertain the whole family, but it can serve to remind everyone of the importance of the holiday. It can also open up a discussion the history of the Jewish people and the purpose of Passover. | ||
