Judaism and Pesach (Passover)
Part A:
The Jewish festival of Pesach (Passover) commemorates the freedom and
independence of Jews from Egyptian slavery which is best described in
the Exodus. This is the liberation of the Jewish community from over
two hundred years of Egyptian repression and is the remembrance of the
mass exodus of Jews from Egypt. It also serves as a reminder of Jewish
oppression over the years from different tyrants such as Hitler and
the Egyptian pharaoh. This festival pays homage to Moses who led his
people free from the subjugation in which the Egyptian pharaoh had put
the Jewish people under. Festivals like these give Jews hope for the
future and massacres such as the holocaust strengthens the faith of
many Jews.
Pesach 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 Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt
after generations of slavery. The name "Pesach" comes from the Hebrew
root Peh-Samech-Chet, meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt
or to spare. It refers to the fact that God "passed over" the houses
of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English,
the holiday is known as Passover. "Pesach" is also the name of the
sacrificial offering (a lamb) that was made in the Temple on this
holiday.
The festival of Pesach began with the story of freedom of the Jews
from t...
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...rs: "he who does not teach his son a trade
is as though he taught him to be a robber."
The importance placed on parents teaching their children is set out in
the Shema: "never forget these commands that I am giving you today.
Teach them to your children."
In my opinion I think both factors contribute in the education of
Jews, although I think if you are interested in your religion you
would find other means of answering your curiosity on your faith.
However I do think that if you a reform Jew, festivals are a great way
of learning about the faith, teachings and history of Judaism. It is
also a good way to know more about who you are and more about your own
identity.
Resources used.
Mrs Mouzer,
Miss Hill,
Miss Newsome- Reform Jew,
BBC Documentary on Judaism and the festival of Pesach.
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