3.05.2014

Passover Part 1

By Linda B, EtsyChai Team Captain
The Jewish calendar is based on the lunar calendar – the early Israelites were an agricultural people, thus celebrations and observances revolved around planting, harvests and other lifecycle events.
Passover (Pesach) is the spring holiday observed in March or April depending on the lunar cycle. It is the celebration of freedom from being slaves in Egypt and relates to the Pharoah being hardhearted and not letting Moses’ people go. He even had his overseers make it harder for the Israelites to make the bricks and mortar, which are symbolic in the Passover Seder.
In 2014, it is celebrated the evening of April 14; it lasts for 8 days (outside of Israel). (All Jewish holidays begin at sundown).  There are two Passover Seders held on the 1st and 2nd night of Passover. Seder means order and there is a guide to the meal, a Haggadah, with blessings and songs that the family and guests sing and read.

Matzah Plate Passover Charm Bracelet
matzah Hagg_Matzah_bicone3
Seder Apron Sewing Pattern for girl’s dresses
apron sewing
Important points:
  • We are to pass the story onto our children and others. It is customary to invite guests and non-Jews to enjoy the Passover meal and break “matzah” with them.
  • We are to remember our ancestors being slaves in Egypt and the miracle of the Red Sea parting.
  • During Passover, we do not eat bread or leavening of any kind to commemorate the Israelites not having time to escape Egypt before Pharoah changed his mind about setting the Israelites free.
I’ve just received more Passover charms, so I’ll be working on new jewelry designs. Also, I do take custom orders.
There’s so much more to the holiday, this is just a thumbnail view. Stay tuned for more Passover information.
See the EtsyChai team’s shops here

This post originally appeared on Linda’s Blog

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