An Explanation of Passover

Passover, in simplest terms is a celebration of freedom from slavery by the Egyptians. According to the Bible, Moses warned the Pharaoh of Egypt that if he did not release the Jews from slavery, God would release a series of plagues upon the land. The final and possibly most brutal plague would be the destruction of the first born of every family in Egypt. Unfortunately there was a small problem; the Jews resided in Egypt as well and would also be subject to the plague. God naturally had taken this into account and told the Jews that if they spread the blood of a lamb on their doorways, He would see the mark and not visit the plague upon them. In essence, He would "pass over" their homes.

Today, Passover is celebrated by having a seder in the home over a period of eight days. During this time, foods are eaten that remind of the sufferings of the Jewish people. Traditionally, six foods are used:Maror (Bitter Herbs): Maror is used to remind of the bitterness of the enslavement of the Jews. Usually horseradish is used for the maror.

1. Karpas (Vegetable): Karpas is a seasonal vegetable that is dipped in salt water before eating. The salt water represents the tears of the Jews.
2. Chazeret (Bitter Vegetable): Chazeret, like maror, are used to symbolize the bitterness of enslavement. Radishes or other bitter vegetables can be used.
3. Charoset. Charoset is apples, walnuts and cinnamon that have been chopped and soaked in wine. Charoset is meant to symbolize the material use to make bricks the Jews were forced to make by the Egyptians during their enslavement.
4. Zeroa (neck or shank of roasted poultry). These cuts of poultry are vaguely reminiscent of an arm. They are meant to symbolize "the mighty arm of God" that forced the Egyptians to free the Jews.
5. Baytza (Browned hard boiled egg still in the shell). The baytza, along with a lamb, were traditional sacrifices offered at the Temple in Jerusalem.

Traditionally, the family also reads from the haggadah, which is a retelling of Exodus. It also has songs and psalms. The haggadah also serves as an instruction manual. During the reading of the haggadah, wine is drunk. Four cups are drunk during the ceremony in celebration of the freedom of the Jews.

Sources

http://holidays.kaboose.com/passover/history/passover-about.html

http://www.carm.org/questions/other-questions/what-passover

Kolatch, Alfred J. The Jewish Book of Why. New York: Jonathan David Publishers, Inc. 1981.