Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Happy Passover

According the Judaism 101:

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), more than 80% of Jews have attended a Pesach seder.

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. This story is told in Exodus, Ch. 1-15. Many of the Pesach observances are instituted in Chs. 12-15.

The name "Pesach" (PAY-sahch, with a "ch" as in the Scottish "loch") comes from the Hebrew root Pei-Samekh-Cheit , meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English, the holiday is known as Passover.

So, to all my Jewish friends:

May this week of eating Matzah go by quickly and easily!

2 comments:

Opus #6 said...

And a Chag Sameach to you, Julia. I can only take just so much matzah, so I usually lose a pound or 2 during the week. There's always a bright side. Are you cooking this year?

Anonymous said...

Well I am not Jewish, but that was interesting to read. *smile*

Julia dear....I took your meme. When you have a chance go and check it out!