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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Best Music For Passover Seder
Judy Rubenstein sings the Songs of the Seder. Judy has a sweet and beautiful voice. She sings the songs, prayers, and chants of the Passover Seder simply and slowly so that everyone may learn them and enjoy them. This is first and foremost a teaching CD; only secondarily is it a performance. Even so, however one listens to this recording, it provides a wonderful musical experience.
This CD contains 16 songs for Passover, sung in Hebrew and in English and performed by a range of artists including the Hamakhela Halevana Children’s Choir, Jonathan Settel, Avner & Rachel Boskey, David Loden and more. Also contains 14 blessings narrated in English by David Loden, according to the Passover Hagada, and a 32-page English booklet containing the blessings and songs.
Your request is being processed... Top 5 Passover Traditions From Around The World
The Passover celebration begins today at sundown as Jewish communities around the world gather to tell the story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.Though the story is the same everywhere, some Passover traditions differ from one country to the next. Here are the HuffPost's top 5 most interesting Passover traditions from some unexpected places.
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Seder Plate
Many of the foods on the Passover table are steeped in symbolism. The centerpiece of the seder table is ceremonial plate, the k'arah, that contains symbolic foods, some which are eaten during the seder. Here are the items that are included on the seder plate:
Charoset
Often a mixture of chopped apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon, represents the mortar that the Israelites used to build the pyramids and the sweetness of the Jews' freedom. During the seder, small sandwiches made of matzo and charoset are eaten. This is known as a Hillel sandwich, after the rabbi who originated the practice.
Maror
A bitter herb, usually represented by horseradish, is eaten to remember the bitterness of life in slavery.
Chazeret
Another bitter herb, here represented with romaine lettuce, is also used in the Hillel sandwich.
Z'roa
A roasted shank bone, commemorates both ancient sacrifice and the mark made with lamb's blood on the Jewish slaves' doorposts.
Karpas
A green vegetable or herb, often parsley, is dipped in salt water, which represents the tears of the slaves.
Beitzah
An egg traditionally symbolizes mourning and renewal. It is hard-boiled or roasted to represent how slavery strengthened the Jewish people.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Laws of the Four Cups of Wine
LAWS OF THE FOUR CUPS OF WINE
At the Seder, every Jew should drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
Since we are free people this evening, nobody should pour their own wine, but rather each person should pour for another -- as if we are royalty who have servants.
It is best to use red wine, since this alludes to the blood spilled by Pharaoh, the blood as part of the Ten Plagues, and the blood the Jews put on their doorposts.
Someone who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice, but should add a little wine so that the taste of alcohol is detectable.
Everyone should have their own wine cup, which holds a Revi'it -- i.e. a minimum of 98cc (3.3 oz.) according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, or 150cc (5.1 oz.) according to the Chazon Ish. When Passover falls on Shabbat, the minimum amount for the first cup is 4.42 oz., even according to Rabbi Feinstein.
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine for each of the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
Jewish law defines an act of "drinking" as two swallows without pausing. This is the preferable way to consume the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
As an expression of freedom, the Sages enacted leaning to the side while drinking the Four Cups of wine. Everyone should lean to the left and back!
At the Seder, every Jew should drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
Since we are free people this evening, nobody should pour their own wine, but rather each person should pour for another -- as if we are royalty who have servants.
It is best to use red wine, since this alludes to the blood spilled by Pharaoh, the blood as part of the Ten Plagues, and the blood the Jews put on their doorposts.
Someone who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice, but should add a little wine so that the taste of alcohol is detectable.
Everyone should have their own wine cup, which holds a Revi'it -- i.e. a minimum of 98cc (3.3 oz.) according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, or 150cc (5.1 oz.) according to the Chazon Ish. When Passover falls on Shabbat, the minimum amount for the first cup is 4.42 oz., even according to Rabbi Feinstein.
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine for each of the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
Jewish law defines an act of "drinking" as two swallows without pausing. This is the preferable way to consume the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
As an expression of freedom, the Sages enacted leaning to the side while drinking the Four Cups of wine. Everyone should lean to the left and back!
Laws of the Four Cups of Wine
LAWS OF THE FOUR CUPS OF WINE
At the Seder, every Jew should drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
Since we are free people this evening, nobody should pour their own wine, but rather each person should pour for another -- as if we are royalty who have servants.
It is best to use red wine, since this alludes to the blood spilled by Pharaoh, the blood as part of the Ten Plagues, and the blood the Jews put on their doorposts.
Someone who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice, but should add a little wine so that the taste of alcohol is detectable.
Everyone should have their own wine cup, which holds a Revi'it -- i.e. a minimum of 98cc (3.3 oz.) according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, or 150cc (5.1 oz.) according to the Chazon Ish. When Passover falls on Shabbat, the minimum amount for the first cup is 4.42 oz., even according to Rabbi Feinstein.
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine for each of the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
Jewish law defines an act of "drinking" as two swallows without pausing. This is the preferable way to consume the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
As an expression of freedom, the Sages enacted leaning to the side while drinking the Four Cups of wine. Everyone should lean to the left and back!
At the Seder, every Jew should drink four cups of wine corresponding to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in the Torah (Exodus 6: 6-7).
Since we are free people this evening, nobody should pour their own wine, but rather each person should pour for another -- as if we are royalty who have servants.
It is best to use red wine, since this alludes to the blood spilled by Pharaoh, the blood as part of the Ten Plagues, and the blood the Jews put on their doorposts.
Someone who has difficulty drinking wine may use grape juice, but should add a little wine so that the taste of alcohol is detectable.
Everyone should have their own wine cup, which holds a Revi'it -- i.e. a minimum of 98cc (3.3 oz.) according to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, or 150cc (5.1 oz.) according to the Chazon Ish. When Passover falls on Shabbat, the minimum amount for the first cup is 4.42 oz., even according to Rabbi Feinstein.
It is preferable to drink the entire cup of wine for each of the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least drink a majority of the cup.
Jewish law defines an act of "drinking" as two swallows without pausing. This is the preferable way to consume the Four Cups. Otherwise, you should at least consume the wine within four minutes.
As an expression of freedom, the Sages enacted leaning to the side while drinking the Four Cups of wine. Everyone should lean to the left and back!
Order Of The Seder
These Hebrew terms lay out the sequence of the seder, which has been the basis for Passover celebrations for thousands of years. First, the table is set and the candles are lit.
Kadesh
The first of four cups of wine is poured; the blessing is said to sanctify the feast day.
Urechatz
The hands are washed before handling the karpas.
Karpas
A vegetable is dipped in salt water, then eaten.
Yachatz
The middle of three matzos is broken. The larger half is wrapped in a napkin and hidden for afikoman (dessert).
Maggid
The second cup of wine is poured, and the story of the flight of the Jewish slaves from Egypt is told.
Rachtzah
The hands are washed before the meal.
Motzi
A prayer is said before breaking bread.
Matzo
The matzo is blessed.
Maror
The bitter herb is tasted.
Korech
A "sandwich" of matzo, bitter herbs, and charoset is eaten.
Shulchan Orech
The meal begins.
Tzafun
A child discovers the afikoman, which is then eaten.
Barech
The third cup of wine is poured, and the grace after meals is recited. An extra cup of wine is also poured for the prophet Elijah, and a child opens the door of the house to invite him in.
Hallel
The fourth cup of wine is poured, followed by psalms of praise and a prayer.
Nirtzah
The service concludes with a hymn, which is traditionally followed by playful songs for the children.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Story of Passover
The story of Passover belongs to the time when the Pharaoh of Egypt enslaved Israelites about 3000 years ago. The Pharaoh was known as Ramses II and was very cruel and harsh to his slaves. Haggadah, the Book of Exodus, mentions that Moses who was a simple Jewish shepherd felt deeply for the downtrodden conditions of his brother. God instructed him to go to the Pharaoh and demand the freedom of his people. However, Pharaoh ignored his plea. Moses once again warned Pharaoh of the God's wrath but Pharaoh turned a deaf ear to him. God then unleashed a series of 10 terrible plagues on the people of Egypt, one by one and after each punishment, Moses again repeated his plea to the Pharaoh. These plagues were:
* The water of River Nile turned into blood.
* Frogs.
* Lice (vermin).
* Wild Beasts (flies).
* Blight (Cattle Disease).
* Boils.
* Hail.
* Locusts.
* Darkness.
* Slaying of the First Born.
The first nine plagues only served to daunt the Pharaoh's wild spirit but were unable to make him submit to the will of God. Finally, God ordered the Hebrew slaves to make a sacrifice of the lamb in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem and mark their doors with the blood of the lamb, as an indication to the God to 'pass over' their houses while slaying the first born males of the Egyptians. Hebrews followed the word of God and thus, their first born males were saved from the tenth plague. 'Pesach' means 'passing over' or 'protection' in Hebrew. This finally calamity was a final blow to the Pharaoh and he ordered Israelites to be set free immediately and allow their passage to freedom.
In their hurry to finally be able to live free lives, Israelites did not even wait to let their dough rise and bake bread but took raw dough instead to bake in the hot desert sun as hard crackers called Matzohs on their journey. Moses led them through the desert. The angry Pharaoh sent his army to chase these ex-slaves and kill them all. But with the grace of God, Jews managed to reach the Red Sea, where they were trapped by the vast expanse of water. Moses called upon the God for assistance and suddenly Red Sea parted to give way to the Israelites and thus, they safely passed over to the other side. They were protected forever as the waves closed over the shocked army of the Pharaoh and drowned the whole army at once.
* The water of River Nile turned into blood.
* Frogs.
* Lice (vermin).
* Wild Beasts (flies).
* Blight (Cattle Disease).
* Boils.
* Hail.
* Locusts.
* Darkness.
* Slaying of the First Born.
The first nine plagues only served to daunt the Pharaoh's wild spirit but were unable to make him submit to the will of God. Finally, God ordered the Hebrew slaves to make a sacrifice of the lamb in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem and mark their doors with the blood of the lamb, as an indication to the God to 'pass over' their houses while slaying the first born males of the Egyptians. Hebrews followed the word of God and thus, their first born males were saved from the tenth plague. 'Pesach' means 'passing over' or 'protection' in Hebrew. This finally calamity was a final blow to the Pharaoh and he ordered Israelites to be set free immediately and allow their passage to freedom.
In their hurry to finally be able to live free lives, Israelites did not even wait to let their dough rise and bake bread but took raw dough instead to bake in the hot desert sun as hard crackers called Matzohs on their journey. Moses led them through the desert. The angry Pharaoh sent his army to chase these ex-slaves and kill them all. But with the grace of God, Jews managed to reach the Red Sea, where they were trapped by the vast expanse of water. Moses called upon the God for assistance and suddenly Red Sea parted to give way to the Israelites and thus, they safely passed over to the other side. They were protected forever as the waves closed over the shocked army of the Pharaoh and drowned the whole army at once.
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