Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most significant and widely observed holidays in the Jewish calendar, commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt as recounted in the Book of Exodus. The celebration of Passover is deeply rooted in biblical traditions, and its observance is rich with symbolism and ritual that have been meticulously preserved through millennia. The instructions for celebrating Passover are primarily found in Exodus chapters 12 and 13, with additional details in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
The origins of Passover are detailed in Exodus 12, where God instructs Moses and Aaron on how the Israelites are to prepare for their imminent departure from Egypt. The central event of Passover is the "passing over" of the homes of the Israelites by the angel of death, who was sent to kill the firstborn in every Egyptian household. The Israelites were spared because they followed God's command to mark their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb.
The Passover Lamb
One of the primary elements of the biblical Passover celebration is the sacrifice of a lamb. According to Exodus 12:3-6, each household was to select a lamb on the tenth day of the first month (Nisan) and keep it until the fourteenth day. The lamb had to be without blemish, a male of the first year, symbolizing purity and innocence. On the evening of the fourteenth day, the lamb was to be slaughtered, and its blood applied to the doorposts and lintel of each house. This act of faith and obedience was crucial for the protection of the Israelites:
"And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it." (Exodus 12:7, ESV)
The lamb was then to be roasted and eaten that same night. The entire lamb had to be consumed, and any leftovers were to be burned by morning. This meal was to be eaten in haste, with the participants dressed for travel, symbolizing their readiness to leave Egypt at a moment's notice (Exodus 12:8-11).
Unleavened Bread and Bitter Herbs
Another key component of the Passover meal is the unleavened bread, or matzah. In Exodus 12:15-20, God commands the Israelites to remove all leaven from their homes and to eat only unleavened bread for seven days. This bread, made without yeast, symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites had to leave Egypt, not having time to let their dough rise. The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the evening of the Passover and continues for seven days:
"For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel." (Exodus 12:15, ESV)
In addition to unleavened bread, the Israelites were to eat bitter herbs during the Passover meal. These herbs, often identified as horseradish or romaine lettuce, symbolize the bitterness of slavery that the Israelites endured in Egypt (Exodus 12:8).
The Passover Seder
Over time, the celebration of Passover has evolved into a ceremonial meal known as the Seder, which means "order" in Hebrew, reflecting the structured nature of the ritual. The Seder includes the retelling of the Exodus story, the eating of symbolic foods, and the recitation of prayers and blessings. While the Seder as it is known today is more detailed than the original biblical instructions, its core elements remain rooted in Scripture.
The Seder plate typically contains several items, each with its own significance:
- Maror (bitter herbs): Representing the bitterness of slavery.
- Charoset: A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and spices, symbolizing the mortar used by the Israelites in their forced labor.
- Karpas (a green vegetable): Dipped in saltwater to represent the tears of the Israelites.
- Z'roa (a roasted shank bone): Symbolizing the Passover lamb.
- Beitzah (a roasted egg): Representing the festival sacrifice and the cycle of life.
The Four Cups of Wine
During the Seder, participants drink four cups of wine, each representing a different aspect of redemption as described in Exodus 6:6-7:
- The Cup of Sanctification: "I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
- The Cup of Deliverance: "I will rescue you from their bondage."
- The Cup of Redemption: "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm."
- The Cup of Praise: "I will take you as My people."
These cups are integral to the Seder and are accompanied by blessings and prayers.
The Haggadah
The Haggadah is the text that guides the Passover Seder. It includes the narrative of the Exodus, prayers, hymns, and rabbinical commentary. The purpose of the Haggadah is to fulfill the biblical command to tell the story of the Exodus to one's children:
"And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8, ESV)
The Haggadah ensures that each generation understands the significance of Passover and their connection to their ancestors' liberation.
The Role of Children
Children play a crucial role in the Passover celebration. One of the highlights of the Seder is the "Ma Nishtana" or "The Four Questions," traditionally asked by the youngest child present. These questions highlight the unique aspects of the Passover meal and prompt the retelling of the Exodus story. This practice underscores the importance of education and the transmission of faith and tradition to future generations.
The Christian Perspective
For Christians, Passover holds additional layers of meaning, particularly in relation to the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples. This meal, often considered a Passover Seder, is described in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22). During this meal, Jesus instituted the practice of Communion, using the elements of bread and wine to symbolize His body and blood, thus establishing a new covenant:
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'" (Luke 22:19-20, ESV)
The sacrificial lamb of Passover is seen by Christians as a foreshadowing of Jesus, the "Lamb of God," whose sacrifice brings deliverance from sin and death. The Apostle Paul draws this parallel in 1 Corinthians 5:7:
"For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
Conclusion
Passover, as outlined in the Bible, is a profound celebration of God's deliverance and faithfulness. Its rituals and symbols serve as powerful reminders of the Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom. For Jews, it is a time to remember and celebrate their history and identity. For Christians, it also holds Christological significance, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ. The enduring observance of Passover across millennia is a testament to its deep spiritual and cultural resonance.
