The Meaning and History of Pesach

The Jewish holiday Passover, or Pesach as it is called in Hebrew, is a reliving of the great defining moment of the Jewish people. This event which occurred circa 2500 BC is the very foundation of their faith, and is the heart of their identity as a people.

So what happened back then? The entire story is found in the second book of the Jewish Scriptures, Shemot, or Exodus, as it is more popularly known. We read there how G-d called Moses to lead the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians. Since Pharaoh did not want to let the people go, G-d sent ten plagues to the land of Egypt to convince him–frogs, locusts, darkness, rivers turning to blood. The last and most devastating of these plagues is the death of all the first-born sons. The Israelite first-born were miraculously unaffected by this one because, as per G-d’s instruction, they marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood, so that the He passed over their homes, sparing their sons, hence the name of the holiday — Passover.

After the last plague, Pharaoh finally agreed to release Israel. And off they went. Later on in the story he would change his mind and chase after them, which led to even more wondrous deeds from Israel’s Redeemer.

All these events of millennia past are recounted and remembered during the days of Passover. In these  7 days, Jewish people avoid leavening in their bread, and only eat Matzah, unleavened bread, as they did in Egypt, as people in flight. This symbolizes that they were all in a hurry to leave that they did not have time to let their dough rise.

Passover is not just an “independence day” celebration for the Jewish people. The most profound meaning of this festival is that this was when Israel first encountered G-d, and their first experience of him is that of salvation. And just like old lovers celebrating their anniversary and telling their grandchildren how they first met, Passover is a recounting and a celebration of G-d’s loving revelation to his people.

In 2011, Passover begins on April 19 and ends on April 25. Note that Jewish holidays begin at sunset the night before, so technically, Passover starts on the evening of April 18.

Rosh Hashanah: A Jewish New Year Celebration

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish New Year celebration, an event which is both happy and solemn in its observance. This occasion is characterized by innumerable customs and traditions, a two day event commemorated on the first two days of Tisheri, the first month of the ecclesiastical year and the seventh month of the civil year of the Hebrew calendar.

Rosh Hashanah starts at sunset, end of the 29th of Elul which is the 12th Jewish ecclesiastical year and the sixth month of the civil year. This two day celebration is considered as one long day termed in Aramaic as “yoma arichtan”. The first day of the celebration should fall on a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Shabbat.

According to the holy book Torah or the “Law of Moses”, Rosh Hashanah is heeded as “A Day of Shofar Blowing”, a very vital custom. The Shofar is a trumpet made of ram’s horn and is traditionally blown every morning among communities for the whole month of Elul, the month before Rosh Hashanah.

There are four marked Shofar notes each delivering its own symbolic importance:

1. Tekiah is one long, sharp and straight blast lasting for 3 seconds
which symbolizes wholeness

2. Shevarim is a 3 or 9 one-second medium staccato wailing sound broken
into segments rising in tone symbolizing sighing or groaning

3. Teruah is a series of 9 quick firm searing and soaring blasts in short
successions extending over a period of three seconds and symbolizes
sobbing

4. Tekiah Gedolah, a Hebrew term for “big Tekiah” sounds as a
Tekiah but with a triple meaning that lasts for a minimum of nine
seconds and initiates a wake up call to listeners from slumber and
alert them for the nearing judgment

On the afternoon of the first day of celebration, all gather at a stream or river to symbolically cast away sins and this ceremony is called “Tashlich” or cast off in Hebrew which is done by throwing away crumbs from one’s pockets into running waters while praying the biblical verses.

At dawn, an old custom called Tzedakha or charity is practiced where people go from one house to another bringing sacks and putting coins in them and the poor people taking coins out of them. It is a custom which conforms to the Mitzvah or commandments in promoting charity to those in need.

Rosh Hashanah practices candle lighting and the Kiddush blessing over wine supplemented with varied culinary customs to highlight the day’s events beginning with a round Challah loaf speaking of God’s kingship and continuity of life cycle.

Most sumptuous food is apple dipped in honey which symbolizes sweet New Year. Fish is another food offered where the entire family gathers to show gratitude towards God.

Rosh Hashanah is a time for prayer, a deep personal meditation and a time for renewing spiritual awareness.

Jewish Holidays 2011

Jews are one of the ethnoreligious groups that are present all over the world. Their traditions and culture are rich that people are interested with their activities of daily living. Just like any other groups, they also celebrate events that are considered holidays for them. If you are aware or just curious about their practices, here are some of Jewish holidays last 2011.

1. Rosh Hashana – September 29-30 2011

This is the Jewish version of New Year. It is celebrated for two days of Tishrei and it must be ten days before Yom Kippur. Traditionally, Jews blow the shofar and eat apples dipped in honey, which symbolizes a sweet New Year. According to Jewish history, Rosh Hashana is the judgement day where people are evaluated according to their deeds before the Creator.

2. Yom Kippur – October 8, 2011

Also known as Day of Atonement for Jewish people and considered to be the most sacred day for them. Jews usually practice 25 hours without eating anything and engage themselves in prayer. Yom Kippur completes the yearly period called High Holy Days or Yamin Nora’im. For Jews, the Creator writes the names of persons in the Book of Life during Rosh Hashana and in Yom Kippur, the verdict is “seal”. During this time, Jews concentrate around their two central themes which is atonement and repentance.

3. Sukkot – October 13-14, October 15-19 2011

Also known as Feast of Tabernacles, Jews are expected to make pilgrimages to the Temple of Jerusalem. The holiday is observed for seven days and traditions are done during these days such as building of the sukkah or tabernacle. Sukkah is the reminder for the Jews of the hardship that they experienced during their travel in the dessert after the Exodus. Many Jews eat and sleep inside the sukkah. Furthermore, members of the Jewish family, recite a blessing over the lulav and etrog.