Passover -- The Feast of Freedom
(First Passover Seder / Erev Pesach is April 8, 2009)
Table of Contents
- Countdown to the First Passover Seder / Erev Pesach
- The Story of the Exodus
- The Seder
- The Haggadah
- The Seder Ceremony
- The Matzah
- Watch how Matzah is made ...
- The Ongoing Quest for Redemption
- If you NICHE it, they will come ... AND SHOP!
- Hot Tips & Free Gift from NicheMarketplace
- Need some Retail Therapy? ... Visit my Blog!
- Extraordinary Artisan Judaica & Jewish Gifts
- Unleavened Humor ...
- Passover Recipe Favorites ...
- All kinds of Passover Haggadahs for all types of Jewish families ...
- Passover Haggadahs written with children in mind ...
- Passover toys for the young and young at heart ...
- More Passover Recipe Favorites ...
- The Great Matzah Ball Debate ...
- Passover Cookbooks to suit every taste ...
- Wanted: Your Favorite Passover Recipes
- You can never have enough great holiday recipes ...
- Passover Story Books for Children ...
- More Passover Fun for Children ...
- Cool Passover Stuff from CafePress ...
- From the Jewish Community of Seattle
- Share the Passover Spirit ... We'd love to hear from you!
The Story of the Exodus
We were slaves ...
The Jewish holiday of Pesach / Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as described in the Bible. The Exodus from Egypt galvanized the Jewish people into a nation (as opposed to a loose confederation of families / tribes). The holiday begins in the evening and continues for seven days in the land of Israel (and for eight days outside of the land of Israel). The name Passover is taken from the Exodus story. In order to compel Pharaoh to release Israelites from bondage, ten plagues were inflicted on the Egyptians. During the tenth and ultimate plague, God "passed over" the Hebrews and struck down only the Egyptian first-born. Because of the importance that Jewish tradition places on transmitting the story of the Exodus to the future generations, Jews all over the world gather together on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan to celebrate "the season of our liberation" by conducting a ritual reenactment of the Exodus story known as the Seder. The Seder
Why is this night different ...
Passover is typically a home-based and a family-oriented ritual. The Seder (from the Hebrew word meaning order) is a festive meal replete with songs, stories, and symbols. The Seder is very much an intergenerational and interactive affair. The atmosphere of the Passover Seder is designed to evoke questions and to actively engage participants of all ages in the ritual reenactment of the Exodus story. According to Jewish tradition, "Even if all of us were scholars, even if all of us were sages, even if all of us were elders, even if all of us were learned in the Torah, it is our obligation to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Moreover, whoever elaborates upon the story of the Exodus deserves praise." For this reason, celebrating the Seder is one of the most widely observed Jewish practices among American Jews and throughout the Jewish world. During the Seder, the Haggadah is read. Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. Like the Exodus in Egypt, yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.
The Haggadah
It is our obligation to tell the story ...
Literally translated, the Hebrew word Haggadah means "The Telling." The text of the Haggadah developed after the destruction of the 2nd Temple by Imperial Rome in 70 CE. It was a period of great political, social, and spiritual upheaval. With the Temple in ruins, the Jewish community splintered into rival factions and the people became dispersed throughout the ancient world. Over time, prayer in the Synagogue replaced Temple sacrifice as the center of Jewish life. The Rabbis and Sages of this period had two goals. The first was to keep the Jewish people culturally and spiritually unified. The other was to preserve the essense of biblical Passover (a pilgrimage festival that culminated with a sacrifice in the Temple of Jerusalem). They did this by combining the ancient tradition of telling the Exodus story with Hellenistic (Greco-Roman) custom of a lavish banquet accompanied by philosophic discourse. The Haggadah is written in the first person, present tense (in fact, Moses is hardly mentioned). In the Haggadah, Jewish history is portrayed as "a timeless present" whose ending has yet to be written. By joining in the Seder and reading the Haggadah, participants metaphorically and symbolically recreate the journey from slavery to freedom experienced by their ancestors. The Seder Ceremony
What is the meaning of this ...
In the Haggadah it says, "Whoever does not speak about these three things during Passover, has not fulfilled their obligation. And they are: Pesach, Matzah , and Maror (Bitter Herbs)." Each of these foods has a deep symbolic meaning and occupies a place of honor at the Seder table.On the Passover holiday table, symbolic foods are carefully arranged on special "plates"--the Seder Plate and the Matzah Plate. They serve as visual aids to enhance the telling of the Exodus story and move the narrative forward. As each symbol is explained, the leader of the Seder points to or lifts up the item for all to see.
The word Pesach has a dual meaning. Pesach refers to the tenth plague in which Holy One "passed over" the houses of the Hebrews and struck down the first-born of Egypt. Pesach also relates to the Paschal sacrifice. In Temple times, Jews would journey to Jerusalem each Passover and offer a sacrifice in the Temple. On the Seder Plate, this is represented by a piece roasted shank bone (typically from a lamb).
Matzah is unleavened bread with the taste and texture of an unsalted cracker. The unleavened nature of Matzah is spiritually significant. It is a reminder that redemption from slavery came quickly and by the hand of the almighty (and not by the actions of men). The bread did not rise because the Hebrews were driven out of Egypt and could not delay or prepare other provisions.
Maror (Bitter Herbs) is a symbol of slavery. On the Seder Plate, this is represented by a piece of Horseradish root . According to the Haggadah, the Egyptians "embittered" the lives of the people with hard labor in mortar and brick, and work in the fields, and the tasks were ruthlessly imposed.
Other symbolic foods on the Seder plate include:
Beitzah (a Roasted Egg)--A symbol of life and the cycle of death and rebirth, it represents represents the festival offering in the Temple in Jerusalem
Karpas (Parsley or Green Herbs)--A symbol of springtime and renewal , it also is a reminder that another biblical name for Passover is Hag HaAviv (the Spring Festival)
Haroset (A mixture of chopped apples / dates, nuts, and wine)--It symbolizes the hard labor in mortar and brick and the day-to-day relentless toil of slavery
Another required ingredient for making a Passover Seder is wine. Over the course of the Seder, four cups of wine are poured, blessed, and consumed. Drops of wine are symbolically poured out for each of the ten plagues that afflicted the Egyptians. In addition, a cup of wine sits untouched in a place of honor on the Seder table to remind participants the yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of the Messianic Era (it is known as the Cup of Elijah because in Jewish tradition the Prophet Elijah is the harbinger of the Messiah).
The Matzah
This is the bread of affliction ...
The most prominent and recognizable symbol of Passover is Matzah. Matzah is a flat bread with the taste and texture of an unsalted cracker. Only flour and water are used to make Matzah (no other ingredients are permitted). In addition, the leavening process is intentionally disrupted to ensure that the bread will remain unleavened. Matzahs can be hand-made and round or square and made by machine.In the Jewish tradition, the eating of bread requires a ritual washing of hands and a blessing. The celebration of the Sabbath is marked with special loaves of bread (Challah). In fact, from a religious perspective the difference between a meal and a snack is the consumption of bread. Matzah represents bread at the Seder table (one recites the same blessing over Matzah as one would over bread), yet Matzah is also the "anti-bread." It is so different from normal bread, that it is intended to invoke questions especially from children (and, in the tradition of the Socratic method, the asking and answering questions leads to dialogue).
Three separate, whole pieces of Matzah are prominently placed on the Seder table. Early in the proceedings, the middle Matzah is broken in two and half of it is hidden away. This hidden piece of Matzah is known as the Afikoman. After the dessert portion of the festive meal has been eaten, the hidden Afikoman must been restored to the table or the Seder cannot continue. The last morsel of food which one is permitted to consume at the Seder is Matzah (and the flavor of Matzah is intended to linger on the palate until morning).
According to the Haggadah, Matzah is "the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt." Symbolically Matzah represents both slavery and its opposite--freedom. Originally the humble bread of slaves, Matzah was the first food eaten by the Israelites as a free people. It epitomizes the journey from slavery to freedom (both the physical journey and the spiritual one). For this reason, the holiday of Passover is also called Hag HaMatzot, "the holiday of unleavened bread."
Watch how Matzah is made ...
The Aviv Matzos Story
Funny Matza Factory
A real tour through a Matza Factory, funny, entertainment and tasty, enjoy!!!
Runtime: 5:22
15979 views
10 Comments:
The Ongoing Quest for Redemption
In every generation ...
According to Jewish tradition, in every generation each Jew must regard himself / herself as having been personally redeemed from Egypt. "As it is said: 'You shall tell your children on that day saying, it is because of what the Lord did FOR ME when I MYSELF went forth out of Egypt.' For the Holy One redeemed not only our ancestors; He redeemed us with them." For Jews, remembering the Exodus is not only a religious commandment, it is the touchstone of Jewish identity. According to Michael Strassfeld, noted Author and Editor of the immensely popular Jewish Catalog series), "Passover is not simply a commemoration of an important event in our past ... but an event in which we participated and continue to participate. We are meant to reexperience the slavery and redemption that occurs each day of our lives. It is our own story, not just some ancient history, that we retell at Passover." Passover reminds us that the spirtual redemption from slavery is a ongoing process, not a destination. In the words of the Haggadah, "This year, we are here. Next year, may we be in the land of Israel. This year, we are slaves. Next year, may we be a free people. NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM! There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
~ Albert Einstein
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Unleavened Humor ...
A Jew took his Passover lunch to eat outside. He sat on a park bench and began to eat. Later, a blind man came by. Being neighborly, the Jew gave the blind man some Matzah. The blind man ran his fingers over the Matzah and, looked puzzled, exclaimed, "Who wrote this nonsense anyway?"
~ Anonymous
Passover Recipe Favorites ...
Here are some of my favorite Passover recipes ... Send your your holiday favorites to the Guestbook and I will add them to the lens!
SWEET VEGETABLE KUGEL
1 c. grated raw apple
1 c. grated raw sweet potato
1 c. grated raw carrot
1 c. matzo cake meal
1 c. Passover vegetable oil (or melted parve margerine)--start with 1/2 c. and add more as needed
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c. sugar can be white or brown sugar or a blend of both--start with 1/2 cup and add to taste
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 10" casserole. Blend all ingredients until well-mixed. The texture should be like about the same as carrot cake batter. Pour into baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees. Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Serves 8.
All kinds of Passover Haggadahs for all types of Jewish families ...
A Mystical Haggadah: Passover Meditations, Teachings, and Tales
Amazon Price: $12.71 (as of 07/12/2009) 
List Price: $16.95
A Night to Remember: The Haggadah of Contemporary Voices (Hebrew -English) (Hebrew Edition)
Amazon Price: $18.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $18.95
The Holistic Haggadah: How Will You Be Different This Passover Night
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $25.00
The Katz Illustrated Haggadah - The Art of Faith and Redemption
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $34.95
Passover Haggadahs written with children in mind ...
The Storybook Haggadah
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Why on This Night?: A Passover Haggadah for Family Celebration
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
We Tell It to Our Children: The Story of Passover : A Haggadah for Seders
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Pearl's Passover: A Family Celebration through Stories, Recipes, Crafts, and Songs
Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 07/12/2009)
Richard Codor's Joyous Haggadah:A Children and Family Cartoon Haggadah for Passover Seder
Amazon Price: $11.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Passover toys for the young and young at heart ...
KidKraft Passover Set
Amazon Price: $34.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $45.90
Wood Passover Puzzle 14pc
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $9.99
Deluxe Passover Seder Set Plush in Vinyl Case
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price:
Passover Bag of Frogs 12ct
Amazon Price: $4.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price: $3.50
Matzah Man - Singing Dancing Jewish Passover Doll/Novelty Toy
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
List Price:
More Passover Recipe Favorites ...
PASSOVER ONION BISCUITS
1 T. vegetable oil
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. boiling water
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 c. matzo meal
2 eggs plus 1 egg white, beaten
1 tsp. salt
1 T. chopped fresh dill OR 1 tsp. dried dill
(I have also added oregano)
2 tsp. poppy seeds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat the oil in a small skillet. Add the onion and saute over moderate heat. Stir frequently. Continue until lightly browned. Remove from heat.
Combine the boiling water and oil in a mixing bowl. Stir in the matzo meal, a little at a time until smoothly combined with the water and oil. Stir in the eggs, follwed by the onions, and all the remaining ingredients.
Form into 1 1/2 inch diameter balls. Flatten slightly and arrange on a baking sheet (or two) which have been sprayed with nonstick vegetable spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Cool on a rack and serve warm (store any biscuits not used immediately in a tightly sealed plastic container). Makes 20-22 biscuits.
The Great Matzah Ball Debate ...
Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls is a Passover Seder tradition for Jews of European descent. For as long as Jewish mothers have been making Matzah Balls, this has been a topic of heated discussion throughout the Jewish world.
Passover Cookbooks to suit every taste ...
Fabulous recipes to grace your Passover holiday table!
The New York Times Passover Cookbook : More Than 200 Holiday Recipes from Top Chefs and Writers
Amazon Price: $21.50 (as of 07/12/2009)
Matzah Meals: A Passover Cookbook for Kids
Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
The Passover Table: New and Traditional Recipes for Your Seders and the Entire Passover Week
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
The Cookbook, Passover By Design
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
The Spice and Spirit Kosher Passover Cookbook
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
Wanted: Your Favorite Passover Recipes
Whenever Jews gather together to celebrate, amazing food is sure to follow.
Here's a chance to share your favorite Passover holiday recipe.
Send it via the Guestbook and I'll post it on this site.
Remember you must limit your recipe to 1000 characters so keep it simple!
You can never have enough great holiday recipes ...
PASSOVER BANANA CAKE
1 (12 ounce) box Passover Yellow Cake Mix
(NOT the extra moist type)
1/4 c. water
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas (3 small or 2 medium bananas)
1/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips
(I couldn't find chocolate chips last Passover so I broke up parve chocolate bars and it worked just fine)
Garnish with Passover Confectioner's sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 or 9 inch square or round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Beat together all ingredients except chocolate chips until smooth. Pour into prepared cake pan and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
Bake in preheated oven until cake springs back when gently pressed (about 25-35 minutes). Remove from oven and leave cake in pan to cool for 15 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Dust with Passover confectioner's sugar if desired (and you are fortunate enough to find it).
Passover Story Books for Children ...
The Matzah Man: A Passover Story
Amazon Price: $12.48 (as of 07/12/2009)
It's Seder Time (Passover)
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
This Is The Matzah
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
What Is Passover? (Lift-The-Flap Story)
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Toby Belfer's Seder: A Passover Story Retold
Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
More Passover Fun for Children ...
The Kids' Catalog of Passover: A Worldwide Celebration of Stories, Songs, Customs, Crafts, Food, and Fun
Amazon Price: (as of 07/12/2009)
Had Gadya: A Passover Song
Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 07/12/2009)
More Than Matzah: A Passover Feast of Fun, Facts, and Activities (Let's Celebrate)
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/12/2009)
Wonders And Miracles: A Passover Companion
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/12/2009)
Cool Passover Stuff from CafePress ...
From the Jewish Community of Seattle
Share the Passover Spirit ... We'd love to hear from you!
Your comments, feedback, and suggestions are always appreciated.
NicheMarketplace wrote...
Thanks for the positive feedback. We are celebrating Passover in Jerusalem with family and friends. It has been an amazing experience. Best wishes for a Happy Pesach to you and yours. B'Shanah HaBa B'Yerushalayim HaBnuyah ... Next Year in Rebuild Jerusalem! [in reply to NicheMarketplace]
Posted April 12, 2009
NicheMarketplace wrote...
Don't forget to try the Passover Banana Cake (if you can't find Kosher for Pesach chocolate chips, you can always break up some pareve Passover chocolate bars ... it works just as well. Hag Sameach! [in reply to Mayflowerblood]
Posted April 12, 2009
harlank wrote...
thanks for a very informative passover lens. The last one I read tried to tie it to Jesus and missed the whole point of the holiday. That is why it is now a Jewish only celebration.
Posted April 11, 2009
Aaron_Shaffier wrote...
Your lens is really great! I would love to see you join my new group at squidoo.com/groups/jewish
Posted August 05, 2008
Squidmarm wrote...
Great lens! Got Knaidelach? That's my Pesach motto! Oh, and of course, "They tried to kill us (Pharoh), We won (crossing of the Red Sea), Let's eat (the seder)!
I'll lens roll this to my Purim lens: from Geula to Geula.
Posted April 07, 2008
DawnRWalker wrote...
Great site. I love it. I'm in construction over at squidoo.com/passoverfood . Hope you will come visit. Dawn
Posted April 02, 2008
katiyana wrote...
What an awesome educational lens about Passover! I have lensrolled it to my Hanukkah lens, and gave it 5*'s!!
Posted March 31, 2008
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Rina
Mizrahi Varon
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