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Pesach
The Festival of Passover
Festival of Passover
The most important Jewish festival.
It celebrates events that happened nearly
4000 years ago.
The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for
hundreds of years, and Moses became sure
that God wanted him to lead them to
freedom.
The Pharaoh (Egyptian King) refused to let
the Israelites go because the work they
were doing was very useful.
Moses
Warned the Pharaoh that a series of
disasters would strike the country
This came true and after the tenth of
these disasters ( the death of the
eldest son in every Egyptian house)
the Pharaoh said they could go.
The Israelites left immediately, without
even waiting for the bread, they had
been making for the journey, to rise.
The Pharaoh
Changed his mind and sent his
soldiers after the Israelites.
The Israelites were saved when
Moses used the staff God had given
him to part the Red Sea. Once the
Israelites had crossed the sea closed
in again.
Leaven
The house is searched carefully to
make sure there are no hidden
crumbs down the sides of lounges
etc
Different bowls are used for washing
up and different crockery, cutlery and
kitchen equipment is used for the
festival.
Seder plate
Egg
Hardboiled, then roasted in a flame.
This is a symbol of new life.
Green vegetable
Usually parsley or/and lettuce
The parsley is dipped in salted water
This is a symbol of springtime
Bitter herbs
Usually horseradish
A reminder of the bitterness of
slavery.
Charoset
A sweet mixture of nuts, apples, spices and
wine.
A reminder of the cement used when they
were building.
Salt water
A bowl of salt water is also found on
the table to symbolize the tears that
the slaves cried
Wine
There is a glass of wine for each person
(children drink grape juice)
Wine is drunk four times during the
meal, as a reminder that God promised
four times that he would free them.
There is also a glass of wine for Elijah,
one of the greatest prophets of Judaism.
Jews believe that one day he will return
to announce the coming of the Messiah.
Matzot
Cakes of unleavened bread, similar
to flat crackers.