Passover

Passover is probably the best known of the Jewish holidays. Passover begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavu'ot and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel, but little attention is paid to this aspect of the holiday. The primary observances of Passover are related to the Exodus from Egypt after 400 years of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Ch. 1-15.

The name "Passover" refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In Hebrew, it is known as Pesach (that "ch" is pronounced as in the Scottish "loch"), which is based on the Hebrew root meaning "pass over". The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-Aviv (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzoth (the Festival of Matzahs), and Zeman Herutenu (the Time of Our Freedom) (again, all with those Scottish "ch"s).

Probably the most significant observance related to Passover involves the removal of chametz (leaven; sounds like "hum it's" with that Scottish ch) from our homes. This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry, and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing the "puffiness" (arrogance, pride) from our souls.

Chametz includes anything made from the five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) that has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after coming into contact with water. Traditional Jews of Ashkenazic background also avoid rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes (beans) as if they were chametz. All of these items have been used to make bread, thus use of them was prohibited to avoid any confusion. All chametz, including utensils used to cook chametz, must either be disposed of or sold.After the the house is cleaned to remove all chametz, a formal search of the house for chametz is undertaken, and any remaining chametz is burned the next morning.

The grain product we eat during Passover is called matzah. Matzah is unleavened bread, made simply from flour and water and cooked very quickly. This is the bread that the Jews made for their flight from Egypt. We have come up with many inventive ways to use matzah.
The day before Passover is the fast of the firstborn, a minor fast for all firstborn males, commemorating the fact that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague.

On the first two nights of Passover we have a special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday. This meal is called a seder, from a Hebrew root word meaning "order." It is the same root from which we derive the word "siddur" (prayer book). There is a specific set of information that must be covered in a specific order. This is the seder. Passover lasts eight days.

This article is provided to you by The Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program.

Reflections on Passover

Imagine you are an Israelite standing on the shores of the Red Sea, after crossing through the miraculously parted waters, and you hear the sound of timbrels and joyous singing of women’s voices. You look up in wonder and see Miriam and the women rejoicing in ecstasy before the Holy One of Blessing:

Then Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her in dance with timbrels. And Miriam chanted for them: Sing to the Eternal One, for God has triumphed gloriously.
Miriam’s charismatic appeal draws you in. You yearn to join in the joyful celebration.

Miriam, the prophetess, served as both a spiritual leader and as a healer of her people. According to a midrash, God honored Miriam’s righteous devotion to the Jewish people and had mercy on the people by providing a well of living waters (“mayim hayim”) which followed the Israelites on their journey through the desert. This water source, which came to be known as Miriam’s Well, represents the essence of life, healing and spiritual renewal.

Many Jews today include a “Miriam’s Cup” filled with water in their Passover Seder. We are all so much in need of Miriam’s healing waters, especially during this time of war and uncertainty. One custom is for everyone at the seder table to fill Miriam’s cup with water from their own glasses at the beginning of the seder. As each person pours water into Miriam’s cup, one might offer a prayer of healing for a loved one, for a family member, for certain individuals or groups that are hurting or in need of hope here in America, in the Middle East, in Israel, or anywhere else in the world that comes to mind. The full cup can then be set in the middle of the table alongside the Cup of Elijah where all can see it.

We all yearn for spiritual healing and comfort in our lives. If you have lost loved ones during this last year, may you be blessed with tender words and healing hugs from family and friends. If you have suffered from physical or emotional pain and suffering this last year, may you be blessed also with the healing hands and compassion of skilled physicians, therapists, or other healing professionals. If you feel lonely and isolated due to a chronic illness or a physical disability, may you also be blessed with new or renewed connections with kindred spirits and with the Source of Life. If you find yourself lost in a spiritual wilderness, feeling cut off from your spiritual wellspring, may the Holy One of Blessing open up your heart so that you become aware of your own body as a vessel for Divine light and inspiration.
May we all feel a shower of divine blessing fill our spirits with love and hope. May Miriam’s living waters soothe our souls as they are weary, comfort our bodies where they are ailing, and heal our hearts when they are broken. May each of us learn to be ever-stronger channels for goodness and peace. By our acts of loving kindness, may we once again merit to drink from the living waters of Miriam’s well.
© Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, Rabbi Aliza Berk
This article is provided to you by The Twin Cities Jewish Healing Program, 952-542-4840.