Passover - The Master Story

Today we had a mock Passover Seder at the University. I had my first Passover with my love this year and it was quite overwhelming with a bunch of Israelis that rarely spoke English. I was simply an observer and had no idea what was going on. In class we talked about the spring cleaning before Passover, what is included on the Seder table, and the traditional story passed down from the Passover Master Story. Passover is one of the most commonly celebrated Jewish holidays. It is said that about 85% of Jews celebrate Passover, 50% celebrate the High Holy Days and 25% celebrate Shabbat.

The Master Story

With that statistic in mind, Passover is said to be one of the most important holidays because it passes down one of the most important traditions known to Judaism which came from the Exodus. It is of the utmost importance to remember the freedom from slavery. From the Haggadah, it is said that "In every generation, each person is obligated to see/show themselves as though they personally came out of Egypt".

The same way we learn behavioral quirks and habits from our parents is the same way children in Jewish families are taught this ritual. It's no wonder so many Jewish people celebrate this holiday ritually more than others. We also discussed why and the outcome of the Dalai Lama searching out Jew's advice on the secret for surviving in exile. He admired the long lasting traditional aspect of Judaism, and became very interested after he went into exile from the Communist takeover. In short, the Rabbis who attended this meeting with the Dalai Llama explained that keeping tradition and the story of the Torah alive is what has allowed Judaism to live on so prevalantly for so many lifetimes.

Then we talked about 3 metaphors for the Passover traditions:

Wherever you are; it’s probably Egypt.

Although we may not notice the oppression, the world and our lives are never perfect.

There is a better place, a world more attractive, a Promised Land.

We talked about these metaphors meaning that just as God promised the Israelites a land, we can always make ours better. Comfortableness and predictability makes us complacent. The only way to this Promised Land is through the wilderness. There is no way to get there except by joining together and marching. Life is better when we work together, but that does not mean it will be easy.

Passover Food Prohibition 

I learned that because the Israelites did not have enough time to wait for the bread to rise, hametz is a food prohibition, and for Ashkenazi Jews neither is kitniyot. Hametz is anything with yeast in it or that rises such as wheat, barely, oats, rye and spelt. Kitniyot are not grains, but look like grains like rice, corn, legumes and soy. Because touching, seeing, and eating hametz (and kitniyot for some) is completely prohibited there are cleaning rules. 

Passover Spring Cleaning 

It can’t be a coincidence that Passover is during Spring cleaning because there is a whole set of rules for spiritual spring cleaning. This is the time to Jews get OCD on cleaning. From what I hear and read about it, it is not a pleasant experience. The rule for cleaning is: the way it goes in is the way it goes out. This means if you boil with it you clean it with boiled water; if you bake it then you bake it to clean it. Metal and glass pots and pans, and utensils are cleaned with boiling water. Baking dishes and grills are cleaned by being baked. Countertops, ovens and other spaces are cleaned with boiling water. Some items cannot be cleaned at all for Passover like a toaster; thus they are simply put away or given away. I remember throwing away all of the wheat products in the apartment last year, but since we didn't have Passover at our place -- I think that's about all we did. We'll see how next year goes when I'm more observant. 

Passover Seder Table 

Everything on the table is symbolic in order to immerse yourself in the tradition and never forget the story of freedom; the story of the weak overcoming the strong. The food on the Seder plate represents the act of enslavement, the bitterness, the sacrifices made, the renewal, and the freshness of a new start. Some other things I had never heard about were Elijah's and Miriam's cup. In short, Elijah was a prophet who did not exactly die in the same terms we're used to seeing, but he was miraculously lifted into the heavens. His cup is traditionally set out and filled with wine and a door opened so that he can join the Seder. He is linked to rescue and announcing of the Messiah; thus his prevalence in this holiday as well as others. Miriam's cup is used for somewhat of the same nature: to invite a well respected individual to the celebration of freedom. She was the sister of Moses and her cup is filled with water to represent the mysterious well that followed the Israelites through the desert, as well as the spirit and support of women.