My very own Seder Plate

The Seder is a pivotal part of the Pesach Holiday. Pesach, which is eight days long and begins this year on the Eve of April 3rd, is all about reliving the story of the Exodus of Egypt. The Rabbi's set up the concept of the Seder with a Haggaddah (the guide) as a way to actualize this. At the Seder, which means 'Order', we follow a special order of 15 steps. We set up a Seder plate to go along with the Seder, using the different items to remember the story as we go through each of the steps. 

The students at Chabad Hebrew School learnt the meaning of each of the items on the Seder plate and actually put together one of their own. 

 Zeroa/Shank Bone:

A piece of roasted meat represents the lamb that was the special Paschal sacrifice on the eve of the exodus from Egypt, and annually, on the afternoon before Passover, in the Holy Temple 

Beitza/Egg:

A hard-boiled egg represents the holiday offering brought in the days of the Holy Temple. The meat of this animal constituted the main part of the Passover meal.

 Charoset:

A mixture of apples, nuts and wine which resembles the mortar and brick made by the Jews when they toiled for Pharaoh.

 Karpas/Vegetable:

A vegetable dipped in Saltwater reminds us of the Tears of the Jewish people while they were enslaved in Egypt. 

 Marror/Bitter Herbs:

Marror reminds us of the bitterness of the slavery of our forefathers in Egypt. Horseradish and Romaine Lettuce can be used. 

Chazeret/Romaine Lettuce:

Romaine Lettuce is used in addition to the bitter herb in the two sandwiches we make at the Seder.

My Link in the Chain

The Jewish Hero that we learnt about this week was Yehoshua/Joshua. Yehoshua was Moshe's sucsessor and led the Jewish people into the Promised land of Israel. Before Moshe passed away, he wrote down the entire Torah because he was afraid the people may forget the Torah and it may get lost. However, with the written Torah, as well as the Oral parts of Torah and the traditions, Yehoshua continued the chain and passed it all down to his generation. 

 Until this very day, we have the same Torah, unchanged. Like a link in a chain, each one is connected to the one proceeding it, as well as following it. Our parents sent us to Hebrew School so we could learn the Torah and understand its teachings ; they are also ensuring our Jewish identity and pride remains. 

 Now, we too have a responsibility to our children and the next generation to pass the Torah on and keep the chain going. 

Its Purim Time!

The Holiday of Purim, which will take place this year on Wednesday night, March 4th and Thursday, March 5th, is a most Joyous Holiday. As Jews, we celebrate a story in which G-d changed our fate from annihilation to life, enabling us to be here as a nation to this very day. 

 The Persian empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, QueenVashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, he orchestrated a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen—though she refused to divulge the identity of her nationality.

Meanwhile, the anti-Semitic Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews (and Esther’s cousin), defied the king’s orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed and convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar—a date chosen by a lottery Haman made (hence the name Purim, “lots”).

 Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray toG‑d. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At the feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.

 On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. To remember and celebrate this wondrous turn of events, we too celebrate the Holiday of Purim each year on that day.  There are four Mitzvot that are assigned specifically to this day as well as customs that many follow. 

 Many people dress up on Purim to signify the way the whole story was turned upside down at the end, with Haman hanged on the gallows set up for Mordechai.

 4 Mitzvot of Purim:

-Hear the Megillah on Purim (once at night and once during the day)

-Give Matanat Leevyonim- Money to poor people so they too can enjoy their Holiday

-Give Mishloach Manot (Food packages consisting of at least two different kinds of food) to a friend

-Indulge in a festive Holiday meal to celebrate!

 Happy Purim!! Enjoy those delicious Haman-Tashen!

Story Credits: Chabad.org