Shalom! Our Jewish friends just celebrated Passover, and I must confess – I am completely nerdy when it comes to Jewish Feasts. I’ve traveled to Israel several times and I’m obsessed with their traditions. In fact, the symbolism of each feast nearly slays me in the Spirit!
Photo courtesy Photobucket
I’ll try not to get too detailed, but I can’t let this week go by without getting a tiny bit nerdy. Will you indulge me?
The Passover Seder commemorates the nation of Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery, and is rich with symbolism.
Consider the:
- Karpas – parsley dipped in salt water, representing the tears shed under their oppression.
- Maror – bitter herbs, symbolizing the bitterness of slavery.
- Charoset – honey, nuts and fruits, reminding them of the sweetness of their freedom.
What’s more intriguing is to think of how the elements unveil Jesus’ journey to the cross. For example,
- Zeroah – roasted shank bone, representing the sacrificial lamb. Zeroah is the transliteration of the Hebrew word for “arm” or “wing” so it also symbolizes God’s outstretched arm and deliverance.
- Hallel – traditional songs/psalms sung during the meal, telling of the deliverance Jesus would offer. Listen in:
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me…
~Psalm 116:3
This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter.
~Psalm 118:20
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…
~ Psalm 118:22-23
One of the most interesting elements of the Passover meal? The matzo, or unleavened bread. In the Old Testament, yeast (or leaven) symbolized sin. It’s easy to see Christ symbolized here, but look a little deeper.
Matzo is striped and pierced, representing humility and affliction. (Hello, Isaiah 53:5!)
The Passover meal begins with three pieces, and Jewish tradition offers multiple explanations for this.
My two favorite:
Three classes of people in ancient Israel: Priests, Levites, Israelites
Three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
Messianic Jews, who recognize Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Passover Feast, offer this explanation:
The Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
I especially love this explanation when you consider what happens with the second piece of bread, the Afikomen. This tradition is believed to have started in the Middle Ages, in an attempt to keep the children quiet during the long meal.
Sometime during the Seder, this piece is broken, wrapped in a linen napkin and hidden, then brought out at the end of the meal and shared by the family. Guess what this piece represents?
Salvation.
Isn’t that amazing? (Be careful, your nerdiness is showing)
The amazement and wonder carries into all the Spring Feasts when you study how Christ Jesus perfectly fulfilled each one. But that’s more nerdiness than I think you can stand in one post ☺
Thanks for the explanation, Susan. I’ve never really investigated the meanings of the Passover dishes. Just think, one day we’ll share meals at Jesus’ table. Too amazing to even grasp!
So true, Vonda. I long for the day! (Maybe He’ll let us sit together if we promise to be quiet?)
VERY informative, Susan. Thanks for sharing!
It’ been almost 20 years since we made the banners at FBC.
Many of our Bible studies, while making each of the banners included studies of the Jewish symbols, traditions, holidays, etc. These banners were not made just for decor. We did in depth studies of each of the names of Jesus, as well as the Old Testament names of God.
We studied Jewish traditions, history, and symbols, and prophcies that Jesus fulfilled.
THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IS RICH WITH REVERANCE (sadly, this is something our current Christian culture seems to have lost).
Thanks again for setting the tone for the rest of the week! and thanks for reminding me that I can celebrate Christmas and Easter EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE!
TK, I ALWAYS think of you when I see a banner at FBCR. They’re gorgeous and I remember Doyle talking about all the thought and planning that went in to each one.
Amen on the rich reverence of our Jewish friends. They’re never casual in their approach to God. Thanks for stopping by today!
I don’t consider myself a nerd about all the feasts, but I do get excited about the passover. When we were worshiping in our home, we often celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the traditions of the Passover. I was so excited when I learned what you shared about the Matzo. It was so fun to share it with the children!
Thanks, Tereasa! Passover is one of the best feasts to study because there are so many elements. I’m impressed that you incorporated Passover traditions into the Lord’s Supper. What a rich experience that is!
Jesus is so present in the symbols of the Passover. What an informative post! If only more would recognize that He truly is the Messiah and receive Him. May their eyes be opened to The Truth.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Amen, Debbie – may God’s chosen people come to know Yeshua as Messiah! We had two Jewish guides in Israel, and still pray for them. They’re so close!
Susan,
Thank you for letting me start my day with this knowledge. It is truly amazing and so poignant.
Love you, Lynn 🙂 Have a great week!
Wow! I think I need to print this out and memorize! What a beautiful way to show us what the Passover is all about. I am also wondering if the second piece of bread would have kept me silent at a meal…………naaaaaah!!! 😀
Thank you for this post!! SHARING!!!
Instead of printing it out, you could just haul me around with you all day 😉 And you’re right — you’d never stay quiet for the Afikomen… U KNOW 😎
Susan, I love this! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I’m going to print it out to keep in my Bible.
Blessings…
~Anna
I’m glad you found it informative, Anna. It totally changes the way you approach the Lord’s Supper. Thanks for stopping by today!
Susan,
This is really fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing with me. I shared this with a couple friends too. Love you dear and have a wonderful Easter.
Love, Hester 😉
Thanks, Hester! I hope they enjoyed it. It’s nice to spread my nerdiness around 😉
Love you too, and hope you and those sweet boys have a great Easter!
Susan,
I’ve had the joy of being part of a sedar meal. I love the part where the piece of bread is missing and then finally revealed. Such symbolism and vivid instructions and traditions truly bring the picture of Jesus, our sLvation and deliverance from sin.
Thank so much for sharing. Actually I see no nerdiness whatsoever… just a heart that loves Jesus and loves to share truth that bring Him Light and Glory.
Hugs,
Glenda
You’re a sweetie, Glenda. Isn’t it great to be part of a Seder? My head spins with all the symbolism! I’m glad you don’t think I’m a nerd 🙂
It IS amazing. We attended Seder meals with our prayer community when I was growing up. This post brings back pleasant memories and helps me understand it more on an adult level:)
What a great heritage you had, Mandy. I imagine it was confusing as a child, but once you learn about how Jesus fulfilled the feast, it takes on an entirely new meaning. Awesome!
Such beautiful words and sentiments. Incredible the symbolisms and memories. My heart stirs this week. Love our Savior!!! JESUS.
Thanks for taking time to read and comment, Alene. I know this week is hectic and I’m praying for you! And I’m right there with you — loving Jesus 🙂
Love the info, as you know I was raised Catholic & they are full of traditions. When I was growing up every Lent we have fish on Fridays, no meat for sure. On Good Fridays we attend a High Mass that last for hours, yes hours, we re enact the Cruxifiction of Christ. Also we recite the 7 last words of Christ in Latin, which can be found in the following verses, not in Latin tho: 1) Luke 23:34, 2) Luke 23:43 , 3) John 19:26, 4) Mark 15:34 , 5) John 19:28, 6) John 19:30 and 7) His last word Luke 23:46. But now I like to celebrate life than death. The only Latin words I remember are Christ’s last word “In manus tuas, domine, commendo spiritum meum” ( Into thy hands, oh Lord, I commend my spirit ). Thanks for the info Sus.
Wow Anita, a mass that lasts for hours? That’s a lot to take in! And if you’re only going to remember a handful of Latin, you’ve chosen well 🙂
Thank you so much Susan. I know virtually nothing about the Jewish faith, and I’m pleased you shared your “nerdiness”! Thanks for these fascinating details.
We’re all nerdy about something, aren’t we, Julia? Glad I could share some of my nerdiness with my favorite word nerd 🙂
Oh Susan, what an informative post! I certainly didn’t hear about this growing up…and even in the church I’m in now I don’t hear about it. See? That’s why I’d love to have you as a Sunday School teacher! Love you!
Love you too, Jamie! Glad you enjoyed the post, and I’d love to have you in class ANYTIME 🙂
If this is nerdy, I’m in! Several details I did not know. Fascinating and meaningful. Thank you!
Glad you liked it, Jeanette! Great info for the kids too 🙂
Thank you for stopping by. Hope y’all have a GREAT Easter!
Susan, We have celebrated the Seder feast twice as a family. We felt it brought the Exodus and the Bible to life for us…really the details weren’t nerdy to me at all, but rather beautiful 🙂 Have a blessed week and Resurrection celebration!
Thank you, Jacqueline!
What proof that God’s glory will prevail!
LOVE it!
I must be nerdy cuz I want to know more:)
I figured you had a little nerdiness in you, Nikki 🙂
Have a GREAT Easter!
Thanks for this! Have always meant to do more research in this but haven’t so was do glad to read this- thanks for sharing your non-nerdy knowledge 🙂
I could study the Feasts non-stop, Dawn. So much to discover about the Lord there!
Thanks for taking time to read and comment. SO enjoyed chatting with you!
I love the history of Passover, it give so much richness to our celebration!
It really does! Brings things into focus and shines the light on Jesus.
Hope you have a great weekend with the family, Di 🙂
I appreciate it when you share the history behind it and the symbolism of the meal…those glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament….so encouraging 🙂 Praying you have a very joyful Easter with your family, Susan…appreciate you 🙂
Happy Easter hugs to you, sweet Dolly! Hope you’re rested and ready for a fun weekend 🙂
What you taught me has encouraged me to have one next year – this year, though, I’m working my way into it – I bought my first lamb, some parsly and I want to do the honey, nuts and fruit. I love nerdy stuff – I didn’t know until I attended my first Bat Mitzah a long time ago that the Catholic Mass was taken from the Jewish church service – except we added the gospel and communion:) Thanks for the delightful lesson!
Thank you for taking time to read and comment, Maryleigh. You’ll enjoy preparing the Seder, and I know your family will learn a lot!