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Wednesday, April 9
Ladies Fellowship at White Oak Church
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The cover of our program for the evening.
I have heard of the Jewish seder for years, and knew it was part of the Passover, and the celebration/remembrance of the time God lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but I never checked out how it was celebrated.
Consequently, I was looking forward this evening which was planned by our Ladies Fellowship and held in our fellowship hall.
Tables were set up to hold ten ladies. Each table represented a family.
Seder means “order” in Hebrew – and there is a very specific order to the seder service and meal.
So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. Exodus 12:14 NKJV
I understand the seder is observed differently in Jewish homes, depending on tradition and the country or area of a country where they live. Ours was observed in a way that helped us understand the Jewish Passover and celebrated our Christian faith.
Introduction to the evening by LaWanda.
Janice has been to Israel several times (with her husband) and became interested in how our Jewish friends celebrate the Passover. She has shared the seder remembrance/celebration meal with Christian groups a variety of times.
She explained that we would not be doing everything that is done – or repeated – in a Jewish seder because it would take very long.
Many times, parents will have their children search for any leaven that may have been missed. It any is found it is removed from the house.
The seder plate – lamb bone, apple mixture, horseradish, parsley, hard cooked egg, and salt water (center) – is a central part of a seder meal. We did not use the hard-boiled egg which is often dipped in salt water as a reminder of the tears shed for the lost temple.
First – each table had a designated “mother” who lit the candle in the center of the table. Lois (left front) was our table’s mother and at the other table I photographed, Ruthie (mother of Janice) lit the candle.
When the candles were all lit, we read together: Blessed are you, O Lord, ruler of the universe, who has set us apart by His word, and in whose name we light the festival lights.
Kadesh – before washing our hands, we had our First cup -The Cup of Sanctification from the cup of grape juice. Wine or grape juice is a family or tradition choice. Each person had their own personal cup. (see a cup of grape juice on the bottom left).
We all read: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Urchatz – washing the hands – symbolizes our need of sanctification before a Holy God. The water was in a large bowl on each table.
Karpas (Parsley) dipped in salt water represents the tears of the Israelites that were shed during their years of enslavement in Egypt.
The parsley and salt water were taken from the seder plate by the “mother” and passed around the table. Salt Water symbolizes tears of the enslaved Israelites in Egypt.
Read by everyone: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.
Maggid – Telling the Passover Story (Summary of Exodus 1-7. For each plague named, we dipped a finger in our cup and placed a drop on our plate.
The table mother removed a full piece of Matza bread and broke it in half. Half was hidden in a napkin and placed on the table. In many Jewish homes the matza which is wrapped in the napkin would be hidden for a child to find at the end of the meal. The hidden matza is called Afikomen.
During this time a child would ask his parents the following four questions:
One: On all other nights, we eat bread or matzah. On this night why do we eat only matzah?
Because it represents affliction and poverty
Two: On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables. On this night, why do we only eat bitter herbs? It symbolizes bitter lives as slaves in Egypt
This is when we each broke off a small piece of matza and put some bitter herb (horseradish) on it. When everyone at our table had their matza and horseradish we ate it.
Three: On all other nights we do not dip our vegetables. On this night why do we dip them twice? Charoset – a sweet mixture of apples – symbolizes mortar used by Israelites and hope in God.
When everyone at our table had the matza and Charoset, we enjoyed its sweet flavor.
Four: On all other nights we eat sitting or reclining – on this night why do we eat only reclining. Reclining or sitting comfortably is symbol of free people.
After we had the Second Cup – The Cup of Praise, Andi led us in The Hallel – a song of praise. We sang Amazing Grace.
Brieanna introduced the Passover Meal (Shulchan Orech) and the order in which we would serve ourselves in the buffet line.
The meal included: Grilled Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beens, Fruit Cup, Macarons, Coffee/Tea, and a piece of chocolate.
Janice closed the evening by explaining that following the meal is when a child would search for the Afikomen (wrapped matza). In some homes this is a very fun time for the children and their may be a variety of treats.
We drank the Third Cup – The cup of Redemption. I will Redeem You.” Exodus 6:6
We all said: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the wine. Then we sang In Christ Alone.
Fourth Cup – Cup of Elijah – Malachi 4:5 – I will take you…. Exodus 6:7
We read: Blessed are you, O Lord, ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the wine.
Lastly was The Hallel (praise) – Psalm 118
We closed with The Doxology.