The Jewish Passover Feast Process Start To Finish

he Passover meal consists of several readings, prayers and stories which are linked to the exodus story. This collection makes up what is called the Haggadah (telling) whose contents dates back to the medieval period. All entries in the Haggadah are recited at certain stages of the Seder.

The Haggadah which has been translated into the vernacular can be understood by all who partake at the feast.An example is the opening prayer which is said by the oldest boy of the family. He prays,“this is the bread of poverty which our forefathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat; let all who are needy come to our Passover feast. This year we are here; next year may we be in the Land of Israel. This year we are slaves; next year we may be free men".

When there was a temple, the priest had a very significant role to play at the temple during Passover, as it was the priests who ritually killed the animal for the sacrifice. When Passover festivities shifted from the temple to the home, members of the family would now take on responsibilities in the Seder. For example, the oldest boy in the family is the “master of the Seder”. It is his job (among other tasks) to sanctify the wine and open up the Seder through prayer. Through the Haggadah the whole family has an opportunity to participate in prayer and in song. The women also have a great responsibility in preparation of the special Passover meal.

The Seder begins with prayer and then sanctification and drinking of wine. Next, hands are washed and the vegetable (usually parsley) is eaten with the vinegared water. One Matzah is then broken some of which is used for Afikomen (desert) and other is left on the table. Next , comes the retelling of the exodus story followed by the blessing and drinking of wine, washing of the hands, blessing of grain product , blessing of Matzah and then eating of Matzah. Bitter herbs are then blessed and eaten followed by the paschal offering and dinner. After dinner is Afikomen (dessert), followed by a saying of grace, blessing and drinking of wine, praises to God (from psalms), another blessing and drinking of wine. The meal is then closed by a few words stating that it is completed, a wish of the messiah’s soon return, which is followed by hymns and stories which close the evening.

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