Sunday, March 31, 2013

Passover Seder Memories


Our seder turned out to be a great success and a wonderful blessing.  It was our first seder in our new synagogue location.


Altogether, forty people attended the seder.  Most are members of the synagogue, but we had a few visitors.We were blessed to have a family attend with their eight children, and she is expecting another baby.  They are such a beautiful and loving group.

 I love it when a person attends who has never experienced a seder.  Their eyes always light up when they see the Messiah depicted in the matza.  The stripes and holes are pictures of his stripes and piercings on the cross. That realization is awesome. 

The whole seder shows us G-d's provision and protection through the blood.  If not for His blood, we would be faced with eternal death.  But through Him we can have eternal life.  Thank You, Adonai, for Your love.

We sang and danced and rejoiced in the love of our Father.  I love it when we sing Deyanu....It Would Have Been Enough.










The children look outside for Elijah
I love it when the children look for Elijah.  One year, there was actually someone coming toward the door, and they yelled, "He's here!"  Rabbi Jem rushed out to see, but it wasn't Elijah.  Too bad, right?  I am ready for Elijah...and Yeshua to return.

Gideon, our youngest Torah scholar


Gideon, our littlest guest was really cute.  While Rabbi was teaching about the Israelites leaving Egypt, he put his backpack on, picked up a flag and began walking around the room.  He is a very serious little boy and seems to understand so much more than one would think.  I didn't get a picture of it, sadly.

The beauty of the Passover seder never fails to renew my confidence in the loving care of our Heavenly Father.  Every year, we are reminded of the power of Hashem.  We remember His guidance, His provision, and most of all the power of the blood to save.  His blood will never lose it's power.

Learn more about Passover, by clicking on Passover in the subject index on the left of my blog.  

Monday, March 25, 2013

Yeshua Our Passover Lamb

Since my last post, I've been very busy in preparations for the seder at our synagogue.  Tonight, at sundown we will gather to remember...
(this is a re-post from last year.  Later in the week, I'll post some pics from our seder)

This morning, I will explain some things about the Jewish Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) seder, specifically the elements placed on the seder plate.

The Hebrew word "seder" means "order".  Each person in attendance has a haggadah (booklet) which has the readings and scriptures for the seder.  Our haggadah is for a Messianic service and therefore includes readings from both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Scriptures.  Hopefully, you will one day have the privilege of attending a Passover seder, so I've decided not to spoil your fun by explaining every detail.  Suffice it to say that it involves music, dancing, singing, and of course, eating and drinking!  


The main focus of the seder is the seder plate, which has a variety of items which are symbolic and beautiful in their interpretation.  The photograph above shows a seder plate.  I will explain each element below:

The parsley (karpas in Hebrew), represents the hyssop which was used to apply the blood of the Passover lamb to the doorposts and lentils of each of the Israelites' homes.  The karpas is dipped in salt water and eaten.  The salt water represents the tears shed that night in Egypt, and also the Red Sea through which the Hebrews escaped. 

Matzah has been explained in my last post here.

The horseradish (maror in Hebrew, for bitter herbs) are eaten on a piece of matzah.  This represents the sorrow, persecution and suffering of the people under Pharoah.  Just as the bitter herbs bring tears to our eyes, so did the suffering of our people bring tears to their eyes.  This also represents the sorrow of our lives before we accept Yeshua.

Next the bitter herbs are eaten along with charoset, which a Hebrew word also.  Charoset is a sweet mixture of chopped apples, nuts, and honey.  The charoset represents mortar used to make clay bricks by our people while slaves in Egypt.   Eating the bitter with the sweet represents the bitterness of Yeshua's death, and the sweetness of his sacrifice to set us free.    

The lamb shank bone represents the Passover lamb (Pesach sey), which is the symbol of our L-rd and Savior Yeshua.  The lamb had to be spotlessly perfect.  Yeshua was also sinless and  perfect in obedience to the Torah and the Father; therefore he could be the Passover lamb for the whole world.


Some seders include a boiled egg.  We do not because of its association with mystical religious rites of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Babylonians.  The egg is one of the symbols of  the fertility goddess Ishtar (aka Easter).  Father G-d told us not to participate in occult practice or worship any other gods before Him.  It must make him sad that people honor Ishtar (Easter) instead of Him on Passover.

There is more, so much more, involved in the Passover seder.  To tell it all would be to write a haggadah!  So, my desire here is just to whet your appetite for more.   You would be so blessed to attend a Messianic Passover seder, and I hope you will next year! 

In Exodus 12 and Leviticus 23, G-d commanded that Passover be observed forever.  Yeshua obeyed that commandment.  You may read about it in Luke 22, Matthew 26, and John 13.   He observed the seder just prior to going to the cross.  Knowing this, you will see what is called the last supper in a whole new light.  The entire seder is a picture of our salvation from sin through Yeshua.   His death, burial and resurrection are portrayed clearly and beautifully  in the Passover seder.  My prayer and hope is that you will be blessed to attend a Messianic seder, and that you, too, will honor G-d by observing the His commandment to keep Passover.

Shalom to you and yours.

 I'm linking up with:
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Friday, March 22, 2013

Passover Recipes

Kugel  (without cherry topping)

As we prepare for Passover next week, I'm thinking of what dishes I'll cook.  During this holiday, we remove the leaven from our homes as well as our cooking. To learn more about Passover, just click on the subject index on the left side of the blog. 

In the past, I've always prepared my old stand-by - kugel.  I do a sugar-free version that is delish, and I wanted to share it with my Gail-Friends.



1 12-ounce package egg noodles
1 large package of light cream cheese
18 ounce light or fat free sour cream
1 16-ounce light or low fat ricotta
3/4 stick butter
8 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar substitute
Spices:  1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla (or add nutmeg, etc)
1 can sugar free cherry pie filling (or whatever you like)


You’ll need 3 separate bowls for mixing.

While noodles are cooking, let your cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and ricotta stay out at room temperature to soften. Mix them together in separate bowl.

Cook noodles, drain and put in large mixing bowl.

Whisk eggs until fluffy in separate bowl. Add both mixtures to noodles and mix well. Add sugar substitute and mix together. Add spices to taste. I add cinnamon and vanilla.
Spray 9" by 13" pan and add combined mixture. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes or until slightly browned.
Remove from oven, top with cherry pie filling and put back in oven for fifteen to twenty minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Refrigerate.
ENJOY!
 
If you have a favorite Passover recipe, please share.


I'm linking up with:
Weekend Whatever Link-up
Let's Get Social Sunday
 Spiritual Sundays
  Monday Musings

Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
Homestead Abundance Tuesdays #4
Titus 2 Tuesday 
Domestically DivineTuesdays
Women Helping Women
 Winsome Wednesday
A Wise Woman Builds
WholeHearted Home
 Thought Provoking Thursday
Faith Filled Friday

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Israel Trip - Part 2



On my trip to Israel, we also visited Petra in Jordan.  This picture was taken in front of what is called the King’s Treasury.  You can see how huge it is in comparison to the camel standing out front.  This is the first sight one sees coming through the tunnel called The Eye of the Needle.  I remember being so tired from riding on horseback, then walking on a long, long path to reach this destination.  The sight of this building through the dark rock totally energized me.  What an amazing sight to see after such a long trek.  



Carved out of the red sandstone of the surrounding mountains, the beautiful building is only a facade.  As we walked through the door, we saw only one large, empty room, which is where the king's treasure was stored long ago.

The idea of a king's treasury impacted me and  I keep this photo near my desk as a reminder of my Heavenly Father's great wealth.  Unlike this king whose storehouse was a single room, the Scriptures say:
For every beast of the field is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. (Psalm 50:10)
and
"He will supply all your needs from his riches in glory, by Yeshua Hamashiach." (Philippians 4:19)

When I made aliyah, I was fearful about finances most of the time.  Since then, G-d has developed in me a complete trust about money.  He has proved over and over again His faithfulness to provide every need.  This picture is a visual reminder that His provision is tremendously greater than any king. 
*****