Judaism - Explain the significance of the food and ritual objects used at the festival of Passover

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Judaism

(Ao1) : Explain the significance of the food and ritual objects used at the festival of

Passover

Pesach also known as Passover is observed for seven days, eight outside of Israel. Pesach celebrates the freedom for two hundred years of Egyptian slavery.

The most important part of the festival is the Sedar meal. This meal takes place, in Jewish homes on the first night of Pesach. This meal includes a symbolic meaning and retells the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt. Jews eat unleavened bread during this time. This is called matzah. Certain preparations must be made for the Sedar meal and Passover. Passover starts by cleaning the house of all chametz (leaven). This is because they believe that God commanded them to celebrate Pesach, and not eat nor posses anything that contains chametz. Chametz is seen as a symbol of pride. Jews believe if one had pride he would forget god. However if one had no pride it would lead one to relay on god and become humble and worship the creator. Matzah or unleavened bred is made from flour and water. Matzah reminds the Jews of how their ancestors the Israelites didn’t have time to let the dough rise whilst trying to escape.

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The Shank bone is to symbolise the Paschal lamb offered as the Passover sacrifice in biblical times. In some communities, it is common to use a chicken neck in place of the shank bone. Vegetarian households often use beets for the shank bone on the Seder plate. The red beets symbolize the blood of the Paschal lamb, which was used to mark the lintel and doorposts of the houses during the first Passover (Exodus 12:22). Any house with sign of blood was safe from the lat plague. The egg is to symbolise a new life. The egg is usually hard boiled ...

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