2008 Woodie Awards
L'CHAYIM! To Life! The Celebration Of Passover
Julie Chouinard Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/28/05 Section: Features
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Passover is the eight-day observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II.
"Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach (Passover) is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews," says Dr. David Coppola, Associate Executive Director for the Center for Christian-Jewish Understanding at Sacred Heart University.
Pesach is a time of family gatherings and lavish meals called Seders.
"With its special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder is the focal point of the Passover celebration," says Coppola.
Before the Seder, Jewish families remove chametz or leaven from their homes. Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains- wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt.
This commemorates the fact that the Jews fleeing Egypt were in a hurry and could not wait for their bread to rise. Symbolically, it is also a way of removing the pride and arrogance or "puffiness" from the soul.
Only after the home is completely cleaned of any traces of chametz can the Seder begin.
The Seder is the most important event during the Passover celebration. Special silverware and dishware are used and only foods that are "Kosher for Passover" are allowed on the Seder table. A special plate of five foods that remind Jews of the struggle of the Israelites adorns the table.
This plate, the Seder plate, contains Haroseth, Parsley dipped in salt water, Roasted egg, Shank Bone, and Bitter herbs. These represent the mortar used to assemble the Pharaoh's bricks, the tears of the Jewish slaves, a symbol of spring, the sacrificial lamb offering, and the bitter affliction of slavery.
Three pieces of matzoh are placed in the center of the Seder table as well. The middle matzoh is broken in half before the meal begins. One half is placed back on the table while the other half, the Afikomen is hidden in the house. The children later hunt this piece and the child who finds the Afikomen receives a special prize. Much like the Easter egg hunts in the Christian faith.
Like the food, the wine is also symbolic. Four glasses of wine sit on the Seder table to represent the four stages of the exodus- freedom, deliverance, redemption, and release. A fifth glass is an offering for the Prophet Elijah.
As far as a Passover celebration at SHU, Coppola says it would be unlikely.
"It is more of a family celebration. Some Christian churches celebrate Christian Seders as a way to focus on their Jewish roots and liturgical traditions," says Coppola, "But Passover is really a time of family gatherings for the Jewish people."