May you be blessed by the short historical background and traditions of Passover.
Passover begins: Sunset April 5, 2023 - Nightfall April 13, 2023.
Passover is a holy and significant time to remember God's goodness and His deliverance of His chosen people.
The original Passover is found in Exodus 12:13. The Israelites were instructed to smear the blood of an unblemished lamb on their doorposts. The blood was a sign to God that this was an Israelite home, and God would pass over the home and no death would come to that home. Those who didn’t have blood on their doorpost would have death on their firstborns.
Exodus 12:13 NIV The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
As Christ believers we see the significance of the Passover lamb's blood to the death of Jesus on the cross. When we look to Jesus and embrace Him by faith, we have eternal life. Praise the Lord! By Jesus' death and resurrection, we are freed from the bondage of sin and death. By faith, His blood is applied to us personally and when God sees the blood, He passes over us.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb!
Passover traditions:
The first evening (or second evening outside of Israel), the families hold a Seder. Highlights of a Seder include lighting of candles, singing and lots of reading in a ritual-rich 15-step feast.
During the weeklong observation, items containing grain that have fermented or raised cannot be consumed. Matzo crackers, which are unraised crackers, are commonly eaten.
Traditional Passover meal:
(sources: Chabad.org, thebiblicalnutritionist.com, and jewishroots.net)
four cups of wine (represents freedom and redemption found in Exodus 6:6-7)
veggies dipped in saltwater
flat, dry cracker-like bread called matzah
bitter herbs, often horseradish (without additives) and romaine lettuce, dipped into charoset (a paste of nuts, apples, pears and wine)
a festive dinner that may contain chicken Matzo soup, baked salmon and gefilte fish
flourless chocolate cake, chocolate fudge pie or baked fruit
Traditionally readings about the deliverance from Egypt are read. Other scriptures often read during the Passover include Psalms 113-118.
I shared only one of the six chapter in Psalms that is traditionally read during Passover. I encourage you to read chapters 114-118 on your own.
*Side note, I am not Jewish, but I love to understand a little bit more every year of these important celebrations.