In recent years, Passover has undergone a make-over in the American Jewish non-Orthodox community. This make-over has converted it largely into a holiday devoted to celebrating human rights, protesting a long list of human rights abuses and promoting fashionable causes. The remake seems designed to make Passover a cosmopolitan holiday, one with a universal message.
The Jewish holiday that begins on Friday night and continues for eight days is filled with ritual, family and rich dietary symbolism. Foods prepared for the Seder meal and eaten throughout the week represent various aspects of the Jews' exodus from slavery in Egypt.
At the Seder meal and throughout the week, unleavened matzah is eaten instead of bread, a symbol of there not being enough time for bread to rise before the exodus began. Bitter herbs represent the slavery; parsley represents spring, but is dipped in salt water to reflect the tears of the slave; a mix of apple, walnuts and wine called charoset symbolizes the mortar used to build Pharaoh's bricks.
Midi: Hal'luyah (Psalm 113) |
