Passover and Easter are both happening this coming week. Both of these holidays have symbolism that is rich and interesting to learn about!
Passover celebrates the ancient Hebrew people escaping slavery in Egypt through divine miracles. One of the central traditions of Passover are Seders, ritualistic meals during which the story of the escape is retold and when participants enjoy eating symbolic foods that help bring it to life. There are usually two seders, one on each of the first two nights of Passover. Sometimes observants use special "seder plates" that have a space marked for each symbolic food. Here are a few of the foods used:
- A roasted lamb shankbone: a reminder of sacrificial lambs used the night that the Hebrew people escaped. The lambs' blood was painted on their door posts as a sign to God to "pass over" their homes while a plague was spreading through Egypt.
- A roasted egg: there are various interpretations for what it symbolizes, including spring and renewal, as well as the resilience of the Jewish people: The more "heat" they face, the stronger they become. The shell often looks very roasted.
- Maror (鈥渂itter herb鈥�): usually horseradish is used. A symbol of the bitterness of slavery.
- Charoset: A sweet salad of apples and nuts, symbolizing the mortar used as laborers during enslavement.
- Salt water: a reminder of the tears and sweat of enslavement.
- Matzah: unleavened bread. In the story, God commands the Hebrews to eat unleavened bread during the Passover period. Matzah can symbolize the afflictions of poverty and slavery, the virtue of humility, and is also a reminder of the Hebrew people's hasty and miraculous escape to freedom.
Easter symbolism combines ancient Pagan traditions and Christian ones. Rabbits, eggs, flowers and greenery were all associated with an ancient Pagan festival honouring the Germanic goddess Eostre. This festival, called Ostara by Wiccans today, celebrates the return of light during the Spring Equinox, and the rebirth that happens at spring--hence, bunnies and eggs. Christians have long found parallels between this festival and the resurrection of Christ in the sense that Christ's resurrection brings hope, new life and rebirth, and have incorporated old symbols with new as they have created Easter festivities such as egg and baskets hunts. The story of Christ's death and resurrection offers additional symbols. The cross can represent sacrifice and victory, for example, and the empty tomb is a symbol of resurrection.
Looking for Holy Week, Easter, or Passover events? You'll find some in the calendar below, as well as on MORSL's Religious Celebrations page! Have a blessed Holy Week and Chag Pesach Sameach!
