A number of years ago I spent a few years celebrating Passover and other Jewish holidays with a friend and their family. The traditions in the meanings of how the holiday was celebrated seemed very familiar and comfortable. Not that I remember what the 5 symbolic foods are, what the hardboiled egg stood for, I do remember why Matzoh is eaten - and the lists continues. However, I also don't think I could explain all the symbolism in the Catholic religion that we live on a daily basis.
Anyway, what I am going for is that the world is currently celebrating Passover. The holiday began this past Sunday, the 20th, and will continue to be celebrated through this Saturday, the 26th. This year our family was given a treat. We were invited to celebrate the beginning of the holiday with our friends, The H's. SH had her brother, Ira, and his son, coming over for dinner. They were setting the table to celebrate the holiday, including Elijah's plate and the open door. I have long wanted to start having SuperStar and Spidey better understand that the movies they have watched (Prince of Egypt, VeggieTales, Jonah, etc.) are not simply stories, but part of a bigger religious picture. Celebrating Passover brought a movie they had seen over and over (The Prince of Egypt by Dreamworks) to life. Ira was kind enough to bring books that explained the symbolism of what we were eating.
Matzoh representing the unleavened bread - because when Moses agreed to let the Jews leave the city they left in such haste that the bread did not have time to rise and they ate unleavened bread during their travels.
A Hardboiled Egg representing the circle of life and continuation.
Lamb Shank representing the lamb that was sacrificed so the blood could be placed on the doorway to keep the first born child from being killed.
Charoset, which is chopped up apples, nuts and raisins mixed with red wine, honey and sometimes other spices - usually done to a very small chop as it represents the mortar that was used to make bricks in Egypt.
Morar (Horseradish) representing the bitterness of slavery under the Egyptians.
Karpas (parsely, lettuce), represent re-birth and the eternal hope that Spring brings with it.
Salt Water was also present to dip our eggs in - this represents the tears of the Hebrew slaves.
The boys (and men) all wore yamaka's. Babers didn't last too terribly long in his, but he did enjoy wearing it. The meal was wonderful - SH presented us with brisket, chicken broth with Kreplach, green bean casserole, potatoes, jello (which the kids ate and ate) and matzoh. For dessert we had chocolate cake and kugel. Very tasty. As an extra treat Ira hid matzoh around the kitchen and once the children found a piece they ran to him for a dollar. Sneaky - he put them all taped under the chairs. Took the kids awhile.
We really can't thank their family enough for including us. Hopefully we will get to celebrate more holidays with them and possibly share some of our own!
Shalom - Peace
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