Judaism and Pesach (Passover)

Judaism and Pesach (Passover)

Part A:

The Jewish festival of Pesach (Passover) commemorates the freedom and

independence of Jews from Egyptian slavery which is best described in

the Exodus. This is the liberation of the Jewish community from over

two hundred years of Egyptian repression and is the remembrance of the

mass exodus of Jews from Egypt. It also serves as a reminder of Jewish

oppression over the years from different tyrants such as Hitler and

the Egyptian pharaoh. This festival pays homage to Moses who led his

people free from the subjugation in which the Egyptian pharaoh had put

the Jewish people under. Festivals like these give Jews hope for the

future and massacres such as the holocaust strengthens the faith of

many Jews.

Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the

first of the three major festivals with both historical and

agricultural significance (the other two are Shavu'ot and Sukkot).

Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in

Israel, but little attention is paid to this aspect of the holiday.

The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt

after generations of slavery. The name "Pesach" comes from the Hebrew

root Peh-Samech-Chet, meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt

or to spare. It refers to the fact that God "passed over" the houses

of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English,

the holiday is known as Passover. "Pesach" is also the name of the

sacrificial offering (a lamb) that was made in the Temple on this

holiday.

The festival of Pesach began with the story of freedom of the Jews

from t...

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...rs: "he who does not teach his son a trade

is as though he taught him to be a robber."

The importance placed on parents teaching their children is set out in

the Shema: "never forget these commands that I am giving you today.

Teach them to your children."

In my opinion I think both factors contribute in the education of

Jews, although I think if you are interested in your religion you

would find other means of answering your curiosity on your faith.

However I do think that if you a reform Jew, festivals are a great way

of learning about the faith, teachings and history of Judaism. It is

also a good way to know more about who you are and more about your own

identity.

Resources used.

Mrs Mouzer,

Miss Hill,

Miss Newsome- Reform Jew,

BBC Documentary on Judaism and the festival of Pesach.