PESACH SEDER
Notes
These notes are meant to provide food for thought regarding the Seder. It is presented here in .doc form to give you the freedom to edit as you wish. May the Ruach haKodesh lead you and each one who attends your Seder into a wonderfully blessed time in the Name of YHWH and His Mashiyach.
Preparation for the Seder
It is preferable to have 6 or 7 souls per Seder plate.
The Basics:
Matzah -three pieces for each 6 or 7 guests
Red Wine –as it illustrates the blood of the lamb,
Have enough wine for each adult to enjoy 4 full cups
Children should each have a cup of wine, let the younger ones taste wine as well
Large bottles of Manischewitz are convenient and have a very popular flavour
Kosher Grape Juice is good to have on hand for those with a low alcohol tolerance
Seder Plate -fancy plates or simple paper/plastic plates that children draw on Pesach symbols
Seder Plates contain:
Charoset sweet mix of nuts, dates, spices and wine
Baytzah boiled egg to illustrate how some “Jewish tradition” has bunny hopped into ishtar eggs
Zeroa Shank bone
Karpas Parsley
Maror Horseradish (some like it hot, and we wouldn’t want to don’t disappoint them, would we?)
Charoset Recipe enough for 25 guests
4 6z ea. Pitted dates, dried figs, dried apricots, white or black raisins
2 Large sweet apples cored/peeled/diced
1 Cup ground walnuts
Ground cinnamon
Kosher for Pesach Manischewitz Concord Grape Wine
Directions:
Grind fruit in Cuisinart
Mix fruit with ground walnuts by hand and moisten with wine as necessary to make balls the size of walnuts
Refrigerate
Before serving roll the balls in cinnamon and shake off the excess
Some Factors to consider while organizing the Seder
Hide the afikomen in the room where you are having the Seder, but don't make it too difficult to find. If the children can't find it later, the Seder can't continue. Put the other half back in the pouch after you hide your own afikomen, and visit one of the nearby tables to demonstrate the breaking of and hiding of the middle Matzah.
Practice your shofar blowing, call the group to attention using the Shofar and call them back after the meal.
Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O YHWH, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 89:15
The Haggadah must not be done by rote duty, the Seder must become a personal experience for each one who participates. Ask some open questions of everyone, share some personal experiences, are there some who have testimonies that are appropriate at the Seder etc.
In large public Seders you should be aware of those who intend to disrupt the flow with some sort of personal agenda. One time a person thought the Seder was “too Jewish”, that’s gotta be good for a laugh, no? The point is there are those out there looking for an audience, so you might consider holding an instructional Seder just for certain ones who you have good reason to believe might be disruptive. You are not obligated to throw the doors wide open to everyone, nor must you provide a reason why you are doing two or more Seders. I’ve had excellent experiences doing instructional Seders. The last one was a wonderful mix of Christians and Hare Krishna looking to bail out of Egypt, our Seder experience together was a joyous experience.
Removal of Chametz
Chametz is yeast or any other product like baking soda or carbonated soft drinks that cause to puff up or fizz.
By the beginning of Pesach no Chametz should left inside the home or on our property. To fulfill this directive, we thoroughly clean all areas of the home including personal jurisdictions such as the car, the office lockers etc. It is best to start cleaning and preparing for Pesach a month or so ahead and to use up the Chametz instead of having to dispose of it. You’ve probably heard it said to “turn the house upside down”, which is likely a Jewish saying referring to turning the house from Chametz to Pesachdik (ready for Pesach). You’ve also probably heard the saying of, “going the whole hog” which is not a Jewish saying but it may come to mind if you’re asking yourself how far to go with getting the leaven out. Depending on the halacha you follow, some will prohibit the use of dishes, silverware, pots and pans that were used to prepare Chametz foods, some opt for plastic ware and aluminum pots during Pesach. Most Netzarim thoroughly wash their kitchens top to bottom with soap and hot water, others follow more rigorous halacha of the P’rushim. The majority of Netzarim Rabbis would teach that it is better to focus on getting the leaven out our souls than focus to heavily on the external world. If you’re not sure what foods or drinks are Kosher for Pesach it is best to error on the side of caution. If you just purchased a bulk supply of foods that have Chametz you might be able to sell it to someone who has refused this prohibition or give it to a food bank etc. In many Jewish communities a designated person will find someone outside the community who is willing to purchase all the Chametz before Pesach and sell it back after the Chag HaMatzah. I would much rather spend my time trying to win the soul into the Kingdom of Elohim than making a pact over exchanging a load of Chametz.
Bedikat Chametz Searching for Chametz
Once the house thoroughly cleaned out we take a flashlight or candle and a feather and do the final search for Chametz. This is a very important element to observe with our children as we teach and discuss with them what and what sin is and what it does and how we need to search our hearts and confess and be forgiven of our sins. Many souls have experienced this time as one of the most meaningful events with their children learning about Yeshua while building and strengthening the unity of the family. Children need to hear appropriate examples of how Dad and Mom are also forgiven of their sin. Conflicts between parents and children can be used to illustrate how easy it is for anyone to make mistakes and need to be forgiven. This is a wonderful family opportunity while searching for Chametz, but make sure that you’ll find some Chametz, otherwise the children will be very disappointed, they even might start thinking they live in a sinless home?
Baruch atah YAHWEH, Ehlo-haynu Melech Ha-olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzeevanu al Bee'oor Chametz. Blessed are you YHWH, our Elohim, Ruler of the world, who sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us concerning the removal of Chametz.
Biur Chametz Burning the Chametz
Burning the Chametz is a symbol of burning the ego and pride out of our souls, so we burn the Chametz as opposed to disposing of it as the regular garbage. We burn the Chametz on Erev Pesach as the leftovers from the Holy sacrifices were burnt. The leftovers from the sacrifices were burnt upon wood, so also we should burn the Chametz with wood.
Ta’anit B’chorim Fast of the First Born
On the day before Pesach it is customary for the firstborn to fast as a reminder of what YHWH had done in order to deliver Israel. All of the firstborn in Egypt died unless they had the blood of the lamb applied to their doorposts. Yeshua is of course the firstborn of His Father YHWH. The English name Passover comes from YHWH passing over the homes that had the blood of the lamb applied to their doorposts, and preserving the lives of the first born.
AFIKOMEN
Rabbinical thinking follows that matzah be broken before reciting the Haggadah, because the recital is to be over a matzah suitable for the obligation of Haggadah, namely lechem oni (bread of poverty) which is a broken piece. Lechem oni means "bread of poverty", but is also interpreted as "lechem she'onim alav" - the bread over which we answer; discuss; recite many things. By combining both meanings, the Haggadah is to be said over matzah.
In particular a matzah which is noticeably "bread of poverty" - i.e., a broken piece of matzah. (Pesachim 115b)
Afikoman is said by some to mean "afiku” meaning “bring out” to the table all kinds of food. Tishby and Mussaf He'aruch state that afikoman is a Greek term for foods eaten at the conclusion of a meal (the dessert). Rabbis explained that the middle matzah represents Isaac (who signifies the attribute of gevurah - severity; strict judgment). Thus there has to be a "breaking" of this matzah, and into five pieces, signifying a "sweetening" of the five aspects of gevurah. This "sweetening" then manifests itself in afikoman [for the pieces constitute the afikoman], which means "afiku man" – bringing out mannah - that is, an emanation of nourishment - signifying the attribute of "chessed (kindness; benevolence) of Abraham".
The afikomen was not present during the days of Y’shua. It was a later addition to the Passover. The last solid food taken in that day was the lamb at the dinner. Rabbinic tradition holds that the afikomen now represents the lamb, and therefore everyone must eat of it.
The word afikomen does not exist in the Hebrew language, Rabbis usually explain it as “dessert”, since it is eaten after the meal where the dessert would normally be eaten. Afikomen is the only Greek word in the Passover Seder, everything else is Hebrew. It is the second aorist form of the Greek verb ikneomai. Which simply means “He came”.
Many traditions have developed around the afikomen, Moroccan Jews save a piece of the afikomen for use when traveling at sea throughout the year. They believe that if a piece of the afikomen is tossed into the stormy waves, it will still the waters. It is easy to see the origin of this tradition as Y’shua spoke and calmed the stormy Sea of Galilee.
CUPS OF WINE
You will notice the number four turning up many times during the Seder.
The Four cups of wine are based on Shemot (Exodus) 6:6-7
1) YHWH says, I will bring you out!
2) YHWH says, I will free you
3) YHWH says, I will redeem you
4) YHWH says, I will take you as my own!
The Four sons are taken from D’varim 6:20; Sh’mot (Exodus) 12:26; 13:14; 13:8
Dalet, representing the Door is the 4th letter, the significance of the Door is manifold.
Shemot (Exodus) 13:14 "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand YHWH brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, YHWH killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to YHWH the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.' And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that YHWH brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."
Four letters in the Name of YHWH.
Four components of Torah include: Edyot, Mitzvoth, Mishpatim, Chokim
Four basic levels of Torah interpretation: Peshat, Remez, Drash, Sod
Souls:
Four matriarchs: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.
Jacob's four wives: Rachel, Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah.
Father, mother, son, daughter: the first commandment of the Torah: "be fruitful and multiply."
Worlds:
Four elements of the physical world: fire, air, water, and earth.
Solid, liquid, gas, combustion.
· Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen.
· The four physical forces: gravity, electromagnetic, strong, weak.
· Man, animal, vegetable, and inanimate objects.
· Four seasons of the year; Four directions.
The four worlds: Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah.
The number 10 represents Covenant multiplied by 4 is 40:
Moses was 40 years in Mitzrayim, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness.
Moses went up on mount Sinai three different times for 40 days each.
The spies spied out the land for 40 days.
The Children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years.
Yeshua went to the wilderness and fasted 40 days and 40 nights.
DOORPOSTS The blood of the lamb was applied to the doorposts and the lintel of the door. The application of this blood on two sides and the top of the door makes the shape of the Ancient Hebrew letter Tav, which symbolizes the Sign of the Covenant.
FIRST BORN
Shemot (Exodus) 4:21-23 YHWH said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is whatYHWH says: Israel is my firstborn son, And I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.'"
Shemot (Exodus) 13:1-16 YHWH said to Moses, "Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal." Then Moses said to the people, "Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because YHWH brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. Today, in the month of Abib, you are leaving. When YHWH brings you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites--the land he swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey you are to observe this ceremony in this month: For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to YHWH. Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what YHWH did for me when I came out of Egypt. ' This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of HaShem is to be on your lips. For HaShem brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year. "After HaShem brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your forefathers, You are to give over to HaShem the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to HaShem. Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons. "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand HaShem brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, HaShem killed every firstborn in Egypt, both man and animal. This is why I sacrifice to HaShem the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.' And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that HaShem brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand."