Passover or Pesach in Hebrew is one of the most beloved Jewish holidays. It is also one of the three pilgrimage festivals, together with Sukkot (Feast of Booths) and Shavuot (Feast of Weeks.) Consequently, Jewish males are expected to travel from their hometown to the Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and present themselves.
Passover or Pesach
Passover comes from Exodus 12:12-13. It says, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
It commemorates God’s passing over the Israelite homes during the tenth plague in Egypt. The miracle forced the Egyptians to let them go and even provided them with jewelry, clothing, and food.
Passover is customarily observed by sharing a ritual meal, called a seder, with family and friends. Seder comprises symbolic foods laid out on the table and recitations of the Haggadah (a book that tells Israel’s story of redemption from Egypt’s slavery.) The most important food is the matzah or the “unleavened bread of affliction.” It highlights the unleavened bread Israelites eat as they leave Egypt. Moreover, during the eight days, Jews are to remove any leavened food in their possession.
Christian’s Perspective of Passover
Unlike the other festivals, Passover is known among the Christian community. The reason for this is the rich theology behind death passing over doors with bloodshed posts. It foreshadows the coming Christ, the Lamb without blemish, and His redemptive blood. That whoever it has been spilled on will no longer experience eternal death but eternal life.
Reference: My Jewish Learning
