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.
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