The 14th of Nisan is the Feast of Passover! (Pesach, Hebrew for Passover) is the time to remember the mighty acts of G-d in providing a way out of Egypt for the children of Israel.
Exodus 12 gives the historical account of the first Passover —that night in which the Lord commanded the children of Israel to put the blood of a spotless lamb on the door posts of their homes. They were to smear the blood with the branch of hyssop in order that the Angel of Death, used in the tenth and final plague against the Pharaoh and Egypt, would pass them over and spare the lives of their first-born.
Part of the Passover activities include the story of the ten plagues that were proclaimed against Egypt because of the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart in releasing the children of Israel into freedom from slavery. During a Passover Seder, drops of wine are spilled on our plates each reminds us of one of the ten plagues. The story comes to its finale’ as the children of Israel see the miracle and power of their mighty G-d who parted the Red Sea giving them dry ground to exile upon.
It is also beneficial during Passover to read the story of Joseph and his brothers, so that we and our children are reminded of how the Israelites came into Egypt originally. The last event, or family activity that is recommended during this season, is the beginning of the counting of the Omer. We are told to count for ourselves seven full weeks from the day of First Fruits.
Every year during this time, we are told to celebrate the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits during the mid-weeks of the Hebrew month, Nisan (or March/April). Leviticus 23:4-14 gives instructions on the days of celebration. Most people are aware that Pesach is celebrated with a traditional "Passover Seder." We must remember that the Jewish times are from evening to evening, not morning to morning; thus, in commemorating Pesach, the Erev Shabbat meal will be on the last Friday night in March.
Unleavened Bread is a Feast that lasts for seven days as given in Leviticus 23:6. Lastly, the Feast of First Fruits is celebrated on the day after the Sabbath in the midst of Unleavened Bread. For our family, much of the lesson learning is done because of Unleavened Bread. It seems that when it comes to food, fasting, and our diets, we learn and remember much more by abstaining from what we desire. As a mother with young children, I indulge in the Feasts and their activities. I am reminded that the Lord has given us these days every year to point us toward Him. He has given us specific instructions on our eating habits and our activities during these seasons so that we can engrave our memories with their importance.
The Passover Seder, and Pesach, in itself only lasts for one evening. Then the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins for one week. We are told in the Bible that this is the time for us to eat our foods without yeast or any kind of rising agents. It is to remind us of the quickness that the children of Israel had to display in leaving Egypt. They did not have time to allow their breads to rise or bake. This is why we eat matzah (flat bread made without yeast). This is also why Passover is sometimes called Hag Hamatzot, or the Feast of Matzah.
For children and many adults, it is difficult to abstain from breads, bagels, cakes, cookies, etc. for a week. The lesson to be learned is important: Leavening represents sin in our lives. When we clean all of the leaven out of our homes, we are reminded to do the same for our physical bodies. One small bit of leaven rises the entire loaf, just as one sin can destroy the whole man.
Please remember this year to teach your children the importance of "house-cleaning" the inside of our lives. Every time we want to partake in bread or foods with leaven, we should seek the Lord and ask Him to remind us of our sins for which we need to ask forgiveness. Turn your minds, bodies, and spirits whole-heartedly toward YHWH this season and be blessed by the transformation He will make in your life!
There are not many other physical activities that surround this season besides cleaning the leaven out of our homes and the Passover Seder. I believe that it is a good idea to have your children make their own Passover Haggadah books. The Haggadah is the book which lists the order of the Seder. It will focus your child’s attention on this Feast and also help him understand the length and lessons of the Passover Seder. (Passover Seders are often very long and difficult for children to sit through, so in making their own Haggadah, they often know what to expect.) Another activity for the children to do in preparation of Passover is to memorize the four important questions about Passover night. They may write these in their Haggadah books, or make posters to help them remember. The questions are the children’s part of the Seder, giving them the opportunity to be involved in a special way.
