Pesach is about teaching
 Why do some people think Passover is the most powerful Jewish education tool
we have? The vast majority of American Jews attend a Passover Seder. The Seder
is held in the home, which is the basis for Jewish education. Jewish tradition
places the responsibility for teaching children on the parents. At the Passover
Seder, all participants, young and old, play the roles of both students and
teachers. Most people adapt the Haggadah to suit their own needs and
particular interests. Many families add customs and traditions that are
meaningful to them and invite their guests to bring their special traditions
along.
Pesach customs, new and old
 Just as the holiday of Pesach is about remembering and even trying to recall
the experience of slavery and the exodus from Egypt, it is also about
remembering the customs and traditions unique to each person and family that
make this holiday so rich. At your house, perhaps Pesach is not complete without
your traditional charoset. Perhaps you look forward to singing certain
songs every year. But some people are adding new traditions to their Pesach
observance. Some Seders will have Miriam's Cup or Miriam's Bowl on the table.
This cup can be placed next to Elijah's cup on the Seder table. It is filled
with water to symbolize the miracle of Miriam's well, which sustained the
Israelites during their long journey in the desert. Some use Miriam's bowl or
cup to symbolize healing and wellness at a time when we celebrate life and
renewal. Some pass the bowl around to symbolize Miriam's well, named after the
healing waters associated with Miriam's presence in the camp of Israel in the
wilderness.
Click here to submit your
favorite Pesach custom.
A story about remembering and tradition
When the Baal Shem Tov had a difficult task to perform, he always went to a
certain place in the woods, light a fire, and meditate in prayer. Then he was
able to perform the task.
A generation later, the Maggid of Mazrich had the same difficult task to
perform. He, too, went into the woods to the same special place, but he had
forgotten exactly how to light the fire as the Baal Shem Tov had done. He said,
"I can no longer light the fire, but I can still speak the prayers."
And so he prayed as the Baal Shem Tov had prayed, and he was able to perform the
task.
After another generation, Rabbi Moshe Lev had the same difficult task to
perform. He too went in the woods, but he had not only forgotten how to light
the fire, he had forgotten the prayers as well. He said, "I can no longer
light the fire, nor do I know the secret meditations of the prayers. But I do
know the place in the woods, and that will have to be sufficient." And it
was, and he was able to perform the task.
When one more generation had passed, Rabbi Israel Salanter was called upon to
perform the same task. He sat down and said, "I cannot light the fire. I
cannot speak the prayers. I do not know the special place in the forest. But I
can tell the story of how it was once done, and that will have to be
sufficient." And it was.
On Pesach, many of us do not know how to light the fire or speak the prayers,
or find that special place in the forest. But we can all tell the story in the
best way we can.
Plan ahead for the beginning of Pesach
First Night of Passover for the Years 2008 - 2011
- April 19, 2008* (Sat)
- April 8, 2009* (Thur)
- March 29, 2010* (Mon)
- April 11, 2011* (Mon)
* Holiday begins at Sundown
Click
here
to send Passover greetings to your friends.
Catch
the Chametz. A 'cell' type of game. Slow to load, but fun to
play.
Have fun with special Pesach word
find puzzles and coloring
pages.
Click
here
for family fun with the Ten Plagues(??!!)
Music ...
Click
here
to create a Matzo Holder.
Click
here
for the story Dr. Mitzvah and the Stolen Sedar.
Click
here
for activities to include with the family Sedar.
Visit the B'nai
recipe
files for Passover recipes.
Lashanah ha-ba'ah b'Yirushalayim! Next year in Jerusalem!
As the Seder ends, we recite the traditional Messianic dream of Jews through
history-next year in Jerusalem. For Jews, Jerusalem is not only a city but a
symbol of the heart and soul of our people.
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