In the days before Passover, the house is prepared. All traces of bread, or anything using yeast, is eaten or removed from the house, and all of the dishes, silverware, pots and pans are changed for a set that is used only for
Passover.
The day before Passover, the house is searched for any trace of yeast products, (chumetz) and the whole family is involved in the search. Anything found is discarded, or given away to non-jewish people.
History of Passover relates back to over 3,000 years ago, when the Jews
were held as slaves by the Egyptian Pharaoh, Rameses II. Moses, who
looked after the cause of the Jews, asked Pharaoh several times to
release them from slavery, and warned Him that he would devastate his
people by plagues. Moses inflicted 10 plagues, and after all the 9
plagues, the Pharaoh agreed to release the Jews from slavery, but
quickly changed his mind. (You can read about the 10 plagues by clicking
here.) After the 10th plague however, he let the Jews go. The Jews left
in a hurry, owing to the fickle-mindness of the Pharaoh, and could thus
only take unleavened bread with them, called Matza, which is a part of
celebration even today. As expected, the Pharaoh send his army after the
Jews so that they could be brought back. The jews travelled for 40 days
and nights, and reached Red Sea, where they saw the emperor's army
advancing towards them. In despair they asked for help from Moses, who
parted the waters of Red Sea for the Jews to cross. As soon as the Jews
crossed, the Red Sea regained and drowned the soldiers.
Since the time of Jewish freedom from Egyptian slavery, Jews have
celebrated this historical event by having a feast called the 'Seder'.
The word 'Seder' means 'order' and refers to the order of historical
events recalled in the Passover meal as well as the meal itself. The
story of Passover is read from a book called the 'Haggadah'. While the
main story of Passover is read by Jews the world over, local customs and
traditions have changed over time, so that the festival has been adapted
to reflect the life and routine of individual communities. This is why
the festival of Passover is celebrated differently in Tunisia than in
Canada.
Passover is celebrated for 8 days (7 for Reform Jews), and always
begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan.
Click here for details on
Seder |
