Passover is in one week’s time. If you did not read my last blog (Passover (Pesach) – Then & Now), take a few minutes and read why Passover was so important to Yahweh . . . and still is!
Once again, I am “borrowing” from my book, GRAFTED: Embracing Torah. This is from the chapter concerning Yahweh’s holy days and the Christian, substitute ‘holy days’ that embrace pagan rituals. If you don’t know the what, the why, and the how, of what you are celebrating, are you certain that your homage is acceptable (read Really, Awful Worship about sincere, but profane worship)
There is a bonus at the end of the blog. Don’t read ahead – it will still be there, even if you read really, really slow.
The Seder (sēdher literally, “order” or “arrangement”) itself is based on the Biblical verse commanding Jews to retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt: “You shall tell your child on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'” (Exodus 13:8)
Traditionally, families and friends gather in the evening to read the text of the Haggadah (a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder), an ancient work derived from the Mishnah (“study by repetition” or “to study and review”. It is the first major written collection of the Jewish oral traditions known as the “Oral Torah”). The Haggadah contains the narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt, special blessings and rituals, commentaries from the Talmud, and special Passover songs.
Seder customs include telling the story, discussing the story, drinking four cups of wine (Each cup is imbibed at a specific point in the Seder. The four cups represent the four expressions of deliverance promised by God Exodus 6:6–7: “I will bring you out,” “I will deliver,” “I will redeem,” and “I will take”), eating bitter herbs and matza (unleavened flatbread), partaking of symbolic foods placed on the Passover Seder Plate, and reclining in celebration of freedom. The Seder is performed in much the same way by Jews all over the world. (Wikipedia)
There is nothing wrong with celebrating Seder, but the traditions and the rituals passed down seem a little excessive compared to what Yahweh commanded at the first Passover. Yahweh kept it simple and later commanded that it be celebrated every year so that future generations would know what He did to free the Jews from bondage in Egypt.
3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. 10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.
Exodus 12:3-11
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
Exodus 12:24-27
The meal, at a minimum is:
- Roast lamb (not baked – lamb can be very fatty and a baked lamb will make you sluggish . . . I know from experience) enough for all participating (no leftovers);
- Unleavened bread (easy to carry without destroying it while traveling – like the bread we got in our MREs while I was in the Army) – Since Passover ushers in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we can assume that they had enough to travel with initially; and
- Bitter herbs – it does not specify what those herbs were and every website I visited listed different spices.
The rest of the meal is conjecture (generally based on the foods available in Egypt at that time), but this short list could have been the actual extent of the meal. The Israelites know what is coming, and even though they are happy that Yahweh will spare them, it is still not a time for celebration because the wrath of the All-Mighty is about to be on full display.
They know they must sacrifice a lamb and place it’s blood upon the doorposts to escape that night’s judgment. They were also commanded to eat the lamb (it is not just a slaughter of sheep), but their apprehension concerning all that is about to happen is taking the edge off their normal appetite. Still, they must eat something to maintain their strength, because they are going to need it.
Imagine you are running late for work and you could be fired for being tardy. You are anxious and your stomach is knotting up. You know you need to eat something, because you are hungry, and you will not be fully alert through your entire shift if you do not eat something, but your time is limited. You may grab a quick burger from the drive-thru on your way to work because you don’t have time for a complete meal.
The sorrow of the Egyptians allowed the Israelites to leave, but that sorrow would no doubt transform to rage (which it did). They may not have had time to prep a meal and prep to depart.
A traditional Jewish Seder does not take into account the sacrifice made by Yeshua, who was the perfect Passover lamb. Because of the death and resurrection of Yeshua Ha’mashiach (Jesus the Messiah – the ultimate Passover lamb), we have even more reason to want to celebrate Passover. No matter how you choose to observe this feast, make sure you focus on the reason for it and those that freed you from the bondage of sin.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Peter 1:18-19
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:21-23
Passover is celebrated for Yahweh’s act of saving Israel in Egypt and for Yeshua (the consummate Passover lamb) saving all mankind, who have faith, through his sacrifice.
Your Seder BONUS:
I found a good recipe for unleavened bread – I’m not overly fond of the crackers
Unleavened Bread
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Flour
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 tbsp Salt
- Other spices as desired
Directions
Mix Flour, Water, and Spice(s) – add water as necessary until dough is slightly sticky. Knead dough for three (3) minutes on a cutting board that has a light dusting of flour. Separate dough into eight balls and use a rolling pin to flatten.
Heat pan and place bread in pan (oil is not necessary but can be used) – flip after several seconds. Flip again after several seconds and then watch for the dough to start puffing up – press down on the air pockets. Flip one last time and cook to desired consistency. 8 servings
Enjoy!
The attachments are the Seder I have designed based on several Seders I have looked at. I am attaching it in several formats to make it easier for you download it and revise it to meet your needs.
I have revised it every year as I see ways to make it better so you will not hurt my feelings if you make your own changes: