passover (pesach)

• orthodox jews believe:

  adv= shows g-ds saving power and his love for his people by leading them to freedom and the promised land, seder plate focuses on this, reinforce how jews were meant to be free and how g-d freed them

  helps them be grateful to g-d

  dis= inward-looking and looks only at the jewish peoples historical struggle, questions like what about standing up for peoples rights and freedoms? exodus story could give hope to all people suffering from oppression
• coservative/reform jews believe:

  adv= symbols help them understand that the freedom g-d have the israelites is not yet complete, there are many freedoms worth fighting and praying for, help jews who struggle with these issues hope and a fresh new meaning to the old tale


  dis= such an important event should not be trivialised by introducing trendy issues on the media, there is a time and place to campaign for certain issues but a sacred meal is not
• commemorates the freeing of the israelite slaves from egypt, one of the most important festivals
• story of pesach found in book of exodus in torah
• story:

  • israelites slaves in egypt
  • out of burning bush g-d reveals himself to Moses and gives him the mission to free israelites
  • through moses g-d sent nine plagues
  • g-d sends final plague to kill every firstborn of each household
  • pharaoh gives in and allows israelites to leave egypt, free from slavery
• SOWA:

  " you shall observe this as an institution for all time, for you and for your descendants" (ex 14: 21-24)
• seven days before pesach all chametz (leavened bread/yeast) must be removed from house
• no food containing yeast can be eaten during this time
• the evening before pesach there is a ritual search
• candles, feathers or palm leaves are used to sweep up the last remaining bread/yeast