What Passover Means to Me
Passover is named as such because it means to literally "pass over." This "passing over" ended Moses' acts of convincing the Egyptian pharaoh to allow the Hebrew slaves to be let free. Moses turned Aaron's staff into a snake but the pharaoh was not impressed as his magicians could do the same. It did not matter that Aaron's staff/snake swallowed the others. With God's help Moses and Aaron then caused there to be locusts, boils that would not heal to form on the people, and six other plagues before it ended with the deaths of the firstborn Egyptian sons. Only three of the minor plagues directly affected the Hebrew people.
To avoid the Hebrews being affected by the final and most vicious plague, they were to sprinkle lamb's blood on their doorposts. When the Angel of Death passed through it would be aware a Hebrew family lived in the home and would skip the family. The following day, the Egyptians woke up horrified. The pharaoh, who had been very reluctant to let the Hebrews be free changed his mind.
As a Christian, we do not celebrate Passover in the manner the Jewish people do. In spite of this fact, it remains an important part of our history as well. Passover is a holiday that celebrates God's promises and should be respected as such for that reason.
Passover begins on the fifteenth day of the month of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. Nisan roughly coordinates with March and April in the Gregorian calendar which is what is used in most of the secular world. In 2010, Passover begins on Tuesday, March 30.
Many Jewish families celebrate Passover by not eating leavened bread, rice, corn, or beans. The Jewish people had to leave Egypt so quickly there was no time for the bread they were baking to rise. This unleavened bread is called the Matza. Families who celebrate Passover have a special meal called the Seder meal. This bread is one type of food likely to be on the plate but the other foods have meanings to them as well. The meal usually takes a few hours.
As someone who has recently began to learn more about the Jewish faith, I welcome your comments on how to make this article reflect the Jewish interpretation of Passover more clearly. I am not one to check my comments section so please press the contact button at the top of the page if I have stated something incorrectly or you can help me to make the celebration more clear.
If you would like to learn more about the Passover holiday it is in the KJV, the Exodus chapter of the Old Testament
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Plagues
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_do_Jewish_people_eat_on_Passover
Published by Andrea Rowe
Born in NE Arkansas six miles from where my dad s family lived as long ago as 1820. College grad in psychology field. My children and I have a very rare genetic disease that seriously impacts our lives. I... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentInteresting article!
Good points, the Passover was also the last meal that Christ shared with his disciples prior to His crucifixion.
Now this is not a waste of time here. Very good article. I love that movie. The book is always riding with me. Me and the lord every where I drive in my car. I bought my first bottle of pass over wine a few days ago. Not sure if I am going to open it Just never bought it and My child has a wine rack. This would make a good gift. She is not a drinker either so It will be for decoration no doubt by the last supper puzzle.
Happy Mardi Gras!
At my church (non-denominational) we celebrate Passover as a Communion service - always takes my breath away :) Cheers. (glad this came back from MIA!)