2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Yesterday, we got as far as the responsive prayer, “We Should Have Been Content,” in which revealed a long list of what God did for the Jews in the course of their liberation from Egyptian slavery. I spoke about how important the participation of children is in the seder and now want to share another way they do so. Every traditional Pesach seder has a vacant place setting at the table which is left for the prophet Elijah. In an earlier message I spoke about Elijah’s cup, the one which participants pour a little wine to symbolize the hope that this prophet will come and announce the coming of the Messiah. This act of sharing also symbolizes the hope that by sharing in this way, the faithful with bring holiness into the world. At this point in the evening’s festivities, a child is asked by the lead to open the door leading into the room for the prophet Elijah.
The next ritual of the seder is the reminder of the Passover Sacrifice. Rabban Gamaliel used to say: “Whoever does not make mention of the following three things on Passover has not fulfilled his obligation: namely, the Passover Sacrifice, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. The Passover Sacrifice which our fathers used to eat at the time when the Holy Temple still stood-what was the reason for It? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, passed over the houses of our fathers in Egypt.” “ As it is said: ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for that He passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed their heads and worshipped.’ “ [EX 12: 27 Masoretic text-the version of the OT that traditional Jews use]. It is customary to refer to the lamb shank bone at this time and also to put the matzo and bitter herbs together and hold them up while describing their significance. While traditional Jews still have the veil over their eyes preventing them to know Who their Messiah really is, we who believe in Christ can recognize that this offering of the Passover Sacrifice is a foreshadowing of God’s offering of His only Son on the cross for us. When the bitter herbs are eaten with unleavened bread, there is a reminder that in spite of the bitterness of slavery, righteousness and the expunging of sin (represented by the lack of yeast) can lead to ultimate freedom. In Christ, we who believe enjoy ultimate freedom from the wages of sin’s power over us. We also need to be reminded of RO 11:25, which tells us that once all of the Gentiles God has called to faith have come to it, the veil will be lifted from the eyes of a remnant of Jews who will also come to know Yeshua Ha-Meshia Adonai (Jesus, our Messiah and Lord).
The next step is one called In Every Generation. The prayer is said as follows, “In every generation let each man look on himself as if he came forth out of Egypt. As it is said: ‘And thou shalt tell thy son in that day, saying: It is because of that which the Lord did from when I came forth out of Egypt [EX13: 8].’ It was not only our father that the Holy One, blessed be He, redeemed, but us as well did He redeem along with them. As it is said: ‘And He brought us out from thence [Egypt], that He might bring us in [to Israel], to give us the land which He swore unto our fathers’ [DT 6:23].” This text is based on Mishnah Pesahim 10: 5. It’s message is of central importance in the Haggadah: Exodus and redemption are not to be taken as happenings in long bygone days, but as a personal experience. The participants then life up their cups and say: “Therefore, we are bound to thank, praise, laud, glorify, exalt, honor, bless, extol, and adore Him who performed all these miracles for our father and for us. He has brought us forth from slavery to freedom, form sorrow to joy, from mourning to holiday, from darkness to great light, and from bondage to redemption. Let us then recite before Him a new song: Hallelujah.” Then the cups are set down on the table again.
I referred previously to the Hallel, a series of Psalms [113-118] which the Levites [the tribe of Jewish priests in ancient times] chanted in the Temple during the offering of the paschal lamb. Only the first two Hallel Psalms (113 and 114) are recited before the Seder meal. PS 113:1 calls upon the “servants of the Lord” to praise Him. The third cup is poured and PS 113, In Praise Of The Lord’s Goodness, is read responsively. The participants drink from the cup and then put it down. At the church we attend, a part of PS 116 is said responsively at this time. The fourth cup of blessing is then poured as the blessing on the wine is once again said. The participants drink from it. At last, it is time to eat the meal.
The meal that was served at the synagogue of my childhood consisted of four courses. We were first served a uniquely Jewish dish, gefilte fish, a cold oval-shaped mixture of whitefish, pike, carp, or other firm-fleshed white fish with egg, onion, ground matzo, and carrot that has been poached in fish stock. I can’t honestly say that it was my favorite, but I did eat it. Today, people wanting to eat gefilte fish can get it bottled in the grocery store. We made our own at home. This is usually served with red horseradish sauce. The next course is matzo ball (Knaidlach) soup, a great favorite of mine which I still make often today. That is followed by the main course of roasted lamb and tzimmes (a heavenly mixture of cooked carrot, sweet potato, onion, pitted prunes, garlic, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, and orange juice). The word afikomen means “dessert.” At the time the dessert is to be served, the child who finds the afikomen bargains with the leader for its return in exchange for treats. The participants enjoy a compote of stewed apricots and prunes for dessert. The evening ends with the singing of some wonderful familiar Passover songs.
PRAYER: O Lord, because of Your compassion You brought the Jews both exodus from bondage to their oppressors and redemption from the bonds of a life without You. All this was done to foreshadow the exodus from slavery to sin that You bought for believers with the death of Your Son on the cross. He is truly our Redeemer. When You ask us to participate in a seder, You ask us to revisit the story of the exodus, so that we can be reminded of this wonderful grace that You have granted to us. Our lives are blessed by this. It is also a time of great fellowship and a time to include children, so that they too will come to value the faith of their forefathers. We offer You our love, obedience, faithfulness, adoration, worship, and honor. Let the lessons You have for us never be forgotten or under appreciated. To You belongs the praise and glory! In Christ’s name, amen.
It is my hope that you have enjoyed sharing in the seder with me. We are so blessed to have the real Passover Lamb in our lives and to have the opportunity to share in the faith we have in Him. Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Easter and Happy Pesach. Just as each of us is precious to God, Peter and I want you to know that you are precious to us.
Grace Be Yours Always,
Lynn