The History and the Symbolism of the Festival of Pesach

The History and the Symbolism of the Festival of Pesach

Around 3000 years ago, the Israelites who lived in Egypt were blamed

for all of the troubles of the country. They were enslaved by the

Pharaoh and forced to labour constantly under the whip to build

palaces and buildings for him.

This continued for years until one day, when King Herod threw all the

Israelite babies into the river, for fear of being overthrown, one

baby survived. He floated in a wicker basket down the Nile to the

palace of the Pharaoh himself. Moses, for this was the baby’s name,

grew up as a high class Egyptian but was always aware of his roots.

When he saw a slave driver whipping an Israelite, he killed the man

and ran away to become a shepherd far away.

One day, Moses saw a burning bush and was spoken to by God. Moses was

ordered by Him to go to the Pharaoh and the demand the freedom of his

people.

Moses plea of “Let my people go” was ignored and God sent terrible

plagues to distress the Egyptians. Pharaoh continued to refuse the

release of the slaves.

Until the last plague.

Pesach, meaning "passing over" or "protection" in Hebrew, is derived

from the instructions given to Moses by God. In order to encourage the

Pharaoh to free the Israelites, God intended to kill the first-born of

every Egyptian family.

To protect themselves, the Israelites were told to mark their

dwellings with lamb's blood so that God could identify them and "pass

over" their homes.

During that night, the angel of death came and killed every first-born

son of the Egyptians. The Israelites were saved from this by the marks

on their doors and when the Pharaoh...

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...e meal continue.

* Jews consider the Egypt of modern times e.g. Nazi Germany- their

exodus finally came when the State of Israel was finally declared

in 1948. Egypt is wherever Jews are enslaved or treated badly.

* At the end of the Seder meal, the Jew’s thoughts turn to Israel. A

glass of wine is raised and the Jews say “next year in Jerusalem”.

* For the Orthodox Jews, this expresses a hope that all Jews will

be reunited in the State of Israel next year.

* For progressive Jews, that Jews shall be able to travel to

Israel if the should wish to next year.

* The final act is to pour a glass of wine for Elijah and leave the

front door open in the hope that he will return to herald the

arrival of the Messiah and the Messianic age- a time of peace and

justice.