Pesach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). On the eve of the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, we read from a book called the hagaddah, meaning "telling," which contains the order of prayers, rituals, readings and songs for the Pesach seder. The Pesach seder is the only ritual meal in the Jewish calendar year for which such an order is prescribed, hence its name. more
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Most seder plates have six dishes for the six symbols of the Passover seder. These are:
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Do it yourself, or learn about this intense process.
Baking your own matzah can be a rewarding way of preparing for Passover; however it is very labor intensive. Even if you are not about to embark on such a project, the following article provides an interesting window into the unique process of baking matzah. If you do want to try it, this project needs to be undertaken by a group with access to a large work area and a professional oven. Most synagogue kitchens are ideal for this. Please keep in mind that the work area (including the oven) must be thoroughly made kosher for Passover before undertaking matzah baking. Reprinted with permission from The Jewish Catalogue: A Do-It-Yourself Kit, edited by Richard Siegel, Michael Strassfeld, and Susan Strassfeld, published by the Jewish Publication Society.
Ingredients and Tools
- special Passover flour, or whole-grain wheat
- cold spring water
- a baker’s oven
- smooth working surfaces, preferably glass or marble slabs
- a kneading tub
- rolling pins
- sandpaper
- matzah-perforating machine (you may have to improvise this: it looks like a rolling pin with spikes)
- long wooden poles
- six or more people
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Judaism is more than just a religion: it's a culture, a language, a way of life. And, integrated fully into these Jewish traditions are unique words and sayings. Though words may have different roots or origins (Hebrew, Yiddish, German), their meanings are universal throughout the Jewish community. The glossary below will introduce you to some of the more common sayings appropriate for lifestyle and holiday events.
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