We have long been accustomed to the fact that the entire Christian world, at the end of a long seven-week fast, celebrates the great and solemn feast of the resurrection of Christ. But Easter is celebrated not only by Christians. There is a whole nation for which this holiday is an integral part of not only its religion, but also its culture and history. It's about the Israelis. And the Jewish Easter is no less solemn and colorful than the Passover Christian. Let us also plunge into this magical world unfamiliar to us and see how Passover passes in Israel, learn about the customs and national dishes of this main Jewish holiday.
History of the Jewish holiday of Easter
The history of Jewish Passover is rooted in the depths of Old Testament time, and it begins when Jews as a nation were not yet. There lived on earth the righteous man Abraham with his wife Sarah. According to God's promise, Isaac's son was born to him, and Isaac's son Jacob was born. Jacob had 12 sons, one of whom was Joseph. Brothers out of envy sold it into slavery in Egypt, where Joseph was very successful in the eyes of the ruling Pharaoh in those days. And, when, after a while, in all surrounding countries, except Egypt, hunger began, Jacob and his sons moved there. Joseph, of course, did not hold resentment towards his brothers, he loved them very much and missed his family. While he was alive, the Israelites were in honor of the local pharaoh. But time passed, one generation was replaced by another, about the merits of Joseph has long been forgotten. The Jews were greatly oppressed and oppressed. It came down to murder. In a word, the Israeli people from the guests turned into slaves.
But the Lord did not abandon his people and sent them Moses and his brother Aaron to lead them out of Egyptian captivity. For a long time Pharaoh did not want to let go of his slaves and, despite the punishments sent by God, he did not listen to the Jewish messengers. Then God commanded the Israelites to slay young immaculate lambs and, having prepared them, to eat at night until morning, and the blood of these lambs anoint the doors of their homes. At night, while the Egyptians were asleep, and the Jews were obeying God's command, angels passed through Egypt and killed all Egyptian first-borns from cattle to humans. In awe, Pharaoh ordered hastily to drive the Jews out of Egypt. But after a while he came to his senses and regretted what he had done. Troops and the Pharaoh himself rushed into the pursuit. But God led his people through the waters of the Red Sea, and their enemies sank in his waters. Since then, the Israelis celebrate Easter every year, as the day of their liberation from Egyptian slavery.
The customs of the celebration of Jewish Passover
Today, Jewish Easter is celebrated not only in Israel, but also in other countries where Jewish families live. And, regardless of geographic location for all Jews there is one single order of celebrating the Pesoch. This is the right way to refer to the day of Jewish liberation.
The date of the Jewish Passover is the month of Nisan, or rather, the 14th day of it. A week before the day of the Pesoch in the houses, they carry out general cleaning and remove the chametz from the dwelling - all leavened bread, bread, wine and so on. Even there is a custom of the Bdikat chametz. With the onset of darkness of 14 Nisan, the head of the family, reading a special blessing, bypasses the dwelling in search of leaven.
The central place in the celebration of the Pesocha is occupied by the Seder. This includes many important points. Namely, reading the pagoda, which describes the history of the holiday. The taste of bitter herbs, as a memory of the bitterness left after the exodus from Egypt. Drink four cups of kosher wine or grape juice. And also the necessary eating of at least one piece of matzo, a traditional bread to the Jewish Easter. After all, matzah - bread from not sour dough - and was with the Israelis, when they left Egypt in a hurry. Opara just did not have time to sour. That is why the fresh flat cake matzah became a symbol of the Jewish Easter, as the Easter cake - a symbol of Easter Christian.
The Jewish Passover lasts 7 days, during which the Israelis rest, go to the water to sing laudatory songs to God, go on a visit and have fun. This is an interesting and very original holiday, which absorbed the culture and history of the whole people.