(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:
Weekend Whatever Link-up
Let's Get Social Sunday
Spiritual Sundays
Monday Musings
Homestead Abundance Tuesdays #4
Titus 2 Tuesday
Domestically DivineTuesdays
Women Helping Women
Winsome Wednesday
A Wise Woman Builds
WholeHearted Home
Wordless Wednesday
Thought Provoking Thursday
Faith Filled Friday
Friendship Friday
Very interesting post, Rebbetzin Gail. My post for today, looks at Exodus 12. Would it be ok if I linked to your post for readers to gain more of an understanding of Passover?
ReplyDeleteShalom.
Yes, Anita. I would be greatly honored.
DeleteThank you for this! I loved this teaching because I didn't know all of this. It was beautiful. I found you at "Hear it Sunday, use it Monday". Thank you & God bless!
ReplyDeleteCarica
I'm blessed to know this helped you, Carica. Please stop by again soon.
DeleteWonderful history lesson - I'd like to do this with my family! Thank you:)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do. Let me know how it goes. I'll never forget my first seder. The beauty of Messiah was revealed and I was in awe.
DeleteI am so happy you were the post ahead of mine in the link-up over at Thought Provoking Thursdays. We used to have a wonderful Messianic Jewish man who came to our church and we would all share a Seder together. It has been a few years and our church decided to head in other directions for Good Friday services, but still this was my favorite way to spend the day/evening in reflection of the Passover and Good Friday. I was trying to explain it to some of the teens I work with and I had forgotten some of the beautiful symbolism. Thank you for sharing this. :) Praising God. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know of your participation in a Passover seder, Heather. The first one I attended was in the home of a friend. Perhaps you could host one yourself and introduce others to this blessing.
ReplyDeleteShalom,
Gail
My husband and I were hoping to go to the Messianic Jewish tabernacle in Branson to celebrate the Passover, but our plans had to change because of illness :(
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear that, Esther Joy. Prayers for healing going up to the Father.
DeleteSorry for being ignorant, but I thought that the Jewish faith did not acknowledge the biblical new testament? So I am not sure I understand the relevance of the quotes from Matthew, Luke and John.
ReplyDeleteYeshua was Jewish, as were his disciples and his first followers. The Jewish faith recognizes a coming Messiah. We believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the anticipated Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies (see Isaiah 53). We celebrate Him as Adonai in the flesh. We accept His teachings because they do not conflict with the Old Testament. His plan was for people to be discipled to follow His ways. We observe the traditions of the Jewish faith and are Torah observant. Hashem said His covenants were to be observed forever. We take that very seriously and believe His ways and Words are Life. L'Chaim!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I love the celebration of the Seder. Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Home.
ReplyDelete