We should begin by saying that Passover is one of the most high-holy celebrations in the Jewish Hebrew calendar. It's not the type of celebration you should barge into and claim as your own if you have a Jewish household in your neighborhood that you hear celebrating. But what you can do is take the deep meaning behind Passover, and reflect on your own life – and the lives of those around you.
Below, we'll look at why Judaism celebrates Passover, how they celebrate, and how you can take its core values and meaning and turn it into your own.
Why Passover is Celebrated
The story of Passover recalls the enslavement and subsequent freedom of Israelites in the early B.C. era. The terrible Pharaoh that ruled Egypt at the time feared that Israelites would soon outnumber his own people and therefore decided to enslave them. Years of suffering at the hands of the Pharaoh passed before a boy named Moses was born. As he grew and witnessed the horrors bestowed upon Israelites, he was contacted by God and instructed to ask the Pharaoh for mercy and for Israelites to go free.
Naturally, the Pharaoh rejected the polite offering, to which the Lord bestowed upon Egypt ten consecutive plagues. These include but are not limited to; the River Nile turning to blood, Egyptians getting skin diseases, and the first-born child in Egyptian families to be killed. The Passover angel tore through Egypt, taking the first-born child until God also told Moses that if Israelites sacrificed a lamb and lined their doors with its blood, the angel would know to spare those inside the home.
How Jewish People Celebrate
The meaning behind the story of Passover is one of slavery and suffering, but ultimately of emancipation and the chance for a new beginning in a better world. The tradition of celebrating
Passover is based around drinking four cups of wine at the seder table and enjoying six kosher delicacies on seder plates. Jewish households rejoice by singing Passover hymns, following Passover traditions like reading from the Haggadah and celebrating for seven days. They avoid unleavened bread and foods and typically stick to kosher meals.
Taking Its Meaning and Making It Your Own
How can you take the meaning of Passover and relate it to modern-day suffering? With ease. The pandemic, for example, is a reason to celebrate in Passover style. People suffered at the hands of the pandemic, encountered loss, lockdowns, and ultimately freedom now we're post-pandemic.
Jewish households celebrate Passover to remember those before them and the sacrifices made - the same can be applied to your post-pandemic fuelled Passover-style gathering. Spend time with those closest to you. Take a minute to reflect, remember, and rejoice at the newfound freedom of the world.
Like we said at the start, celebrating Passover without understanding its meaning can be disrespectful. But, taking the traditions of Passover and applying them to modern-day suffering is something anyone can do. It can bring comfort, solidarity, and the freedom to express emotions. The question is, how would you take Passover and make it your own?
