Passover Seder: A Jewish Celebration Free from Christian Interpretations
Passover is a sacred celebration for Jews, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Each element of the Passover Seder is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and symbolism. Commonly, Christians may try to see references to Jesus within these elements, but from a strictly Jewish perspective, there is no room for such interpretations.
Understanding Passover and the Seder Plate
For the past almost 2000 years, two different religions have coexisted: Judaism and Christianity. During the Passover Seder, Jews gather to remember and retell the story of the Exodus. The Seder itself is rich with symbolism, but the elements used do not point to Jesus. Each item on the Seder plate has a specific meaning related to the Exodus and the experience of the Israelites.
The Matzoh (Unleavened Bread)
The Passover Seder plate includes three matzot, which are placed on a plate or napkin and then covered. This is done so that one matzah can be broken during the Seder, symbolizing the three groups of Jews: the priests, the Levites, and the Israelites. Additionally, the three matzot represent the three measures of fine flour that Abraham instructed his wife Sarah to bake into matzah when they were visited by three angels. This matzah is not a reference to Jesus but a symbol of the historical and traditional aspects of Passover.
The Zeroah (Shankbone)
Another item on the Seder plate is the zeroa, a symbol representing a sheep shank bone or a chicken neck. This appears in the verse 'I will redeem you with an outstretched arm', emphasizing the power of God's presence at the redemption of the Israelites. This element is not about Christ but rather about the powerful, intervention of the divine.
The Beitzah (Hard-Boiled Egg)
The beitzah, a hard-boiled egg, commemorates the pre-holiday offerings, or chagigah, that were brought in the days of the Holy Temple. This ritual is not connected to any Christian symbolism; instead, it is a reminder of a sacred tradition in Jewish worship.
The Maror (Bitter Herbs)
Bitter herbs serve as a reminder of the bitterness of the Israelites' slavery in Egypt. Common choices include grated horseradish and romaine lettuce. The taste of these bitter herbs is meant to evoke the harsh realities of their ancestors' experiences, not to be connected to any Christian figure.
The Charoset (Apple Paste)
Charoset, a mixture of apples, pears, nuts, and wine, symbolizes the mortar used by the Jews to make bricks for Pharaoh. This traditional food is not a reference to Jesus but a symbol of the labor and toil endured by the Israelites during slavery.
The Karpas (Vegetables)
The karpas, typically parsley in Hebrew, represents the backbreaking labor of the Israelites. The Hebrew letters of 'karpas' can be rearranged to spell 'perech,' meaning 'backbreaking work,' and the number 'samech' numerically corresponds to 60, which refers to the number of Jewish males over 20 years old who were enslaved in Egypt.
Concluding Thoughts: From a strictly Jewish perspective, the elements of the Passover Seder are deeply symbolic and rooted in the historical and traditional aspects of the holiday. The items on the Seder plate, including the matzoh, zeroah, beitzah, maror, charoset, and karpas, all have meanings related to the Exodus and the Israelites' experience of slavery. There is simply no place for Christian interpretations or connections to Jesus within these traditions.