Jewish Passover Traditions in America
Pesach, or Passover, is the eight-day Jewish holiday observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II.
Jewish Passover Traditions
Passover is a special holiday time of family gatherings and lavish Jewish meals called Seders. Traditional Seder meals include foods that represent part of the Passover story. For example, matzoh symbolizes how fast the Israelites had to leave Egypt; maror symbolizes the bitterness of slavery; beitzah symbolizes life; karpas symbolizes tears shed, and so forth.
The story of Passover is retold through the reading of a special Jewish book called the Haggadah, which means “telling.” The book itself recaptures the main points of the Jewish liberation from slavery through stories and songs.
Passover, with its special foods, songs, and customs, is one of the most important Jewish traditional holidays (along with Hanukah, Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah), and the Seder meal is the focal point of the Passover celebration. The Passover celebration begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. The Jewish day begins at sundown the night before, so for 2008, the first night of Passover is April 19th.
The Passover Story
The Jewish Passover story begins about 3000 years ago when the Israelites were enslaved by the Egyptians under the rule of Pharaoh Ramses II. According to the book of Exodus, Moses, a simple Jewish shepherd, was instructed by G-d to go to the Pharaoh and demand the freedom of his people. Moses’ please of let my people go was ignored by the Pharaoh. Moses warned him that G-d would send severe punishments to the people of Egypt if the Israelites were not freed. The Pharaoh ignored Moses’ request of freedom ten times. In response, G-d unleashed a series of ten plagues on the people of Egypt.
The holiday’s name — Pesach — meaning “passing over” or “protection” in Hebrew, is derived from the instructions given to Moses by G-d. In order to encourage the Pharaoh to free the Israelites, G-d intended to kill the first-born son of both man and beast. To protect themselves, the Israelites were told to mark their dwellings with lamb’s blood so that G-d could identify and “pass over” their homes.
Passover celebrates this part of Jewish history. The first two nights of the Passover holiday are celebrated with lavish meals called Seders in which the stories and history of Passover are commemorated. Usually gathering the whole family and friends together, the Seder is steeped in long-held traditions and customs.
Please feel free to share yoru family’s Passover prayers, stories, and rituals.
Leslie Hickey | May 14, 2008 6:21 pm
Leslie May 14,2008 7:40 pm
Yesterday during prayer I was instructed to read this scripture - Exodus 12. I take the word of God very seriously and for instruction. Although I am not Jewish I respect your religion and rituals. I am familiar with the Passover and what it means and represents. Do you eat unleavened bread for seven days with other food? And do you eat lamb on the first night? I know that I am being called to fast. I appreciate any direction in this issue.
Be Blessed
melissa | April 21, 2008 10:12 pm
I do believe in Jesus Christ and the laws of Moses. I am not sure where I stand between Judaism and Christianity. I just know I believe in the one true God.
melissa | April 21, 2008 10:03 pm
I would like to learn more about Jewish traditions. I am also in search of family history. My great-grandmother’s last name was Schula or Shula. She was shipped to America from Germany before 1930’s. My grandmother used to fix flour bread. Her name was Elizabeth. Nichols was her maiden name until she married and was given the name Hunt. She had dark-brown eyes, dark hair, and small is size. I would like to know more about her history but I just don’t know where to start. Back to the initial reason for my visit…I really want to know the correct way to make unleavened bread and everything involed with Passover.
Paul Hannig Ph.D. | April 21, 2008 1:08 pm
One of the great blessings of Passover is that the observance guarantees prosperity, peace, good health, longevity, protection from enemies, deliverance and obedience to God. He assigned this festival as a dedication and remembrance of His compassion and love for His people Israel. This commemoration is engraved in the hearts of all people who strive and crave freedom from oppression.
Jill ledet | April 20, 2008 9:22 pm
Now my son, my only son wants to travel to Israel in the most dangerous times. He would have never thought of such a thing if it weren’t for his friend’s influence. I don’t know what’s going on, but I think it is mean, and disrespectful. For God has plans for me — how my family was torn apart by divorce, and poverty, and racial politics!
Jill ledet | April 20, 2008 9:11 pm
For all of these years I have tried and tried to reconnect with my Jewish brothers and sisters, and another Passover has gone by, and I celebrate alone again. I feel forsaken and betrayed.
The emotional blackmail and stonewalling from my own family is not right. For 18 years I have lived in my community, and I have not been able to find anyone to celebrate the holidays with, or even a synogogue to worship in.
There is just no community here.
No job, no one ever calls me, this is not of Jewish value. I feel forsaken by my own.
LORA ADAMS | April 20, 2008 2:45 pm
I AM NOT JEWISH BUT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR TRADTIONS SO THAT I CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND THEM AND BE A BETTER FRIEND TO MY NEIGHBORS THAT ARE OF THE JEWISH RACE.
john soliz | April 19, 2008 8:32 pm
Hello, I have a question. In Exodus, the Lord commanded to fill an omer of manna for their generations to see the bread that he fed the people of Israel. In this text what is an omer — a vase, a jar? And is this omer still with each generation in Israel?
Rodger De Ramus | April 19, 2008 5:44 pm
In 2008, does the Passover begin April 19 at 12:00P or did it start at 12:00P on the 18th? That is something that has aways confused me, not being Jewish.
Our Baptist Church is celebrating Passoover this year and our meal is going to be at 5:00P Sunday, the 20th of April. Is that appropiate?
Thank You So Much.
Rodger
Shirley | April 19, 2008 1:08 pm
My prayer is that my family know the Lord Jesus Christ to do his will. I pray that my family shows me love and respect. I pray that I will be a women of GOD. I pray to be a blessing to my family and friends that are in need. My family needs financial blessing now. God bless you.
Jeanne Langridge | April 19, 2008 10:50 am
Thank you for this information. I am in the middle of moving and all my Haggadahs are packed.
gordon brown | April 18, 2008 7:22 pm
In our seder, which almost always includes a non-Jewish guest, we never fail to mention what you seemed to have conspiculously excluded as “not important”…that Jesus’s last supper was of course a seder.
Nancy Ashmore | April 18, 2008 12:19 pm
I truly enjoy your programs and receive much needed Biblical knowledge. I do not want to be one of the ones that miss out on the Passover celebration and God’s Grace. I am a new widow and mourn the loss of my husband of 42 years and hold Jesus very close to my heart. He helps me survive my loss. I cannot imagine life without our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
rachel rifon | April 18, 2008 9:25 am
Thank you for your meaning behind a holiday that is meaningful.
Have a blessed passover.
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner | April 18, 2008 6:48 am
Dear Friends,
If you are looking for additional FREE Passover Haggadot in Hebrew/English/Transliteration, the largest Seder Songbook on the Internet, Seder Supplementary readings for the past three years in convenient PDF packets - come and take as many items as you wish @ www.jewishfreeware.org. This is a non-profit 501c3 gift to the community. No passwords, no log-in, no cookies - just come and enjoy. Rabbi Dov Lerner
leslie Bridges | April 17, 2008 4:06 pm
Why is God not spelled completely?
kirah nolan | April 17, 2008 1:45 pm
I am a Hebrew and I’m doing my research paper on my religion so this really helped me out. I learned more about my culture and why we celebrate this holiday. It is very special to me because I’m in 6th grade so this means a lot to me.
Jayne Neal | April 17, 2008 12:30 pm
My husband began to observe Passover with our family after taking a business trip to Israel in spring of 2003. One of the most wonderful moments in our observance is when he pronounces a personal blessing on each member of the family in turn. The faces of our children just glow as their father blesses them, and none of them, including the grown ones, would dream of missing this occasion.
naomi | April 16, 2008 8:58 pm
i would like to know everything about Passover and what to do. I am interested in learning.
Margaret Thibodaux | April 14, 2008 6:32 pm
Why is GOD not spelled out?
I am not Jewish but believe it is a beautiful religion.
Grant | April 9, 2008 4:28 pm
Opps: link didn’t publish:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Chometz-Chametz-Passover-Pesach-Preparation_W0QQitemZ230240111693QQihZ013QQcategoryZ128QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Grant | April 9, 2008 4:19 pm
One of the most important rituals is selling Chamets or Leaven. This is made a little easier in the modern world. Check out this link.
Michelle' Jones | April 9, 2008 9:26 am
I have a paper to write on The Lord’s Supper and communion service. Reading the Jewish History much closer has hepled me a lot during my research. Christians have not been told the whole story and what certain things represent.
I’m so greatful that I could find you on the internet. May GOD continue to lead you and guide you on giving us (Christians) knowlege on the Jewish walk with GOD.