This evening is the beginning of Passover. Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday \u2014 a celebration of spring, of birth and rebirth, of a journey from slavery to freedom, and of taking responsibility for yourself, the community and the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Torah states that Jews are to observe Passover for seven days, beginning on the 15th of the Jewish month Nisan (usually in April.) This year Passover begins this evening (April 8) and ends the evening of April 16. The first night always includes a special seder<\/em> (ritual dinner.) Traditional Jews outside of Israel don\u2019t work on either first two or the last two days of the seven-day period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Passover can be thought of as honoring the renewal of the sun (it\u2019s always on the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox,) or a time to step firmly into springtime. It can also be thought of as a celebration of the Jewish people\u2019s \u201cbirth certificate\u201d and \u201cDeclaration of Independence.\u201d It\u2019s also memorializing something that God did for the Jews over three thousand years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jewish people have four Hebrew names for Passover, each pointing to a particular aspect of the holiday. The most common Hebrew name is Pesach<\/em>, that usually translates as \u201cpassing over,\u201d as the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Jews in Egypt. The other Hebrew names for Passover are: Chag Ha-matzot<\/em> (Festival of Unleavened Breads,) Z\u2019man Cheiruteinu<\/em> (The Time of Liberation,) and Chag Ha-aviv<\/em> (Festival of Spring.) This evening is the beginning of Passover. Passover is the most celebrated Jewish holiday \u2014 a celebration of spring, of birth and rebirth, of a journey from slavery to freedom, and of taking responsibility for yourself, the community and the … Continue reading
And as the Jewish community begins Passover, we prepare for Easter\u2026.
\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"