On 27th March, the everyday email I receive from Messianic Bible was titled “Passover starts tomorrow night (with my name) Yeshua The Passover Lamb.”  

I was even more excited, as I had already registered myself for the Passover Zoom Conference on 2nd April hosted by Jews for Jesus.

​

As many people around the globe prepare their children especially for what is known as “Easter” and even in this pandemic I believe that there is still going to be Easter hunts, Easter Bonnets, and a renewed love for rabbits. Some will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Yeshua Hamashiach).

​

In Israel with a population of over 6.8 million Jews and around the World they will be celebrating PASSOVER. I’m sure you have heard of this festival but have you ever looked into it? It’s amazing! Exodus 12 tells us about the God’s instructions to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt as to how they are to protect themselves from the final plaque when YHWH (Yahweh) smites the land of Egypt and rescues His people from 400 years of bondage. 

​

Have you ever wondered what they eat and why during this time? Well, I’ve done a little investigating (the Jewish festivals are enlightening to me), its deep and I challenge you to find out more than I’m about to share.

​

As the family gather around the table, the first two nights the story of the Exodus is told from a book called “HAGGADAH” which means The Telling.

​

On the table you will find the following:

•    4 cups of wine (wine is considered a royal drink)
•    Veggies dipped in salt water
•    Flat dry cracker bread called MATZAH
•    Bitter herds (Horse Radish without additives) romaine lettuce dipped in CHAROSET (a paste with wine/nuts/apples and pears)

A meal would also be served, usually chicken soup and fish

​

There are 15 steps taken during the course of the meal, known as SEDER:

1. KADESH - a blessing over wine
2. URCHATZ - ritual washing of hands without the usual blessing
3. KARPAS - eating some leafy greens or green vegetables
4. YACHATZ - raising up and breaking the middle Matzah (more on this later)
5. MAGGID - the telling of the Exodus story (the longest section of the Seder)
6. RACHTZAH - ritual washing of hands before the meal, with the blessing
7. MOTZI – the blessing over the Matzah and the meal
8. MATZAH – another blessing over the Matzah, this time emphasizing the special nature of eating Matzah as a Passover ritual act
9. MARROR – eating bitter herbs
10. KORECH – eating a sandwich of Matzah and bitter herbs (and then adding a sweet, chutney-like Jewish dish called charoset)
11. SHULCHAN ORECH – the festive meal
12. TZAFUN – eating the Afikomen (more on that later)
13. BARECH – grace after meals
14. HALLEL – singing psalms of praise
15. NIRTZAH – conclusion

​

Passover service is “Well received by the Almighty and they say “next year in Jerusalem.”

Now, you might say “Just tell us what it all means!” Too that I say, “Where’s the fun in that?” I will give you a taster… the four cups are a reminder that:

​

•    The Hebrews kept their names
•    Spoke their own language
•    Remained highly moral
•    Remained loyal to each other.

 

We as Christians can join in this celebration too, because Jesus is our Passover Lamb - The Last Supper also known as Holy Communion. 

Shalom 

​

​

Click here to learn more.