The Dates of Passover – 2008

The Hebrew dates of Passover this (and every) year are from the 15th through the 22nd of Nissan (one day less in Israel).

On the secular calendar the dates are from sundown April 19 until after dark on April 27 (oh yes, and one day less in Israel !).

The unusual circumstance is that Passover 2008 begins motzai Shabbos – at the end of the Jewish Sabbath. In other words, the first seder will take place on Saturday night, April 19, 2008.

So what? you ask. The day before Passover, the one followed immediately by the first seder, has a usual routine. When that day happens to be

Saturday – Shabbos – the routines change drastically.

Because of Sabbath restrictions:

A b’chor (firstborn son) cannot fast on Shabbos.

You cannot search for chametz on Friday night.

You cannot burn the chametz on Shabbos morning.

We can’t nullify our chametz on Shabbos.

We must nevertheless have bread of some kind for our

Shabbos meals (we can’t eat matzo yet).

By the way if this is Greek to you I have written on all of it in other articles on this site. You can also use the resource below.

Here is a summary of what to do this year:

1) Search for chametz on Thursday night after dark.

2) Burn your chametz Friday morning.

3) Ta’anis B’chorim – the fast of the firstborn – takes place

on either Thursday or Friday. Local customs vary.

4) Important: Make all preparations for the seder on Friday.

Start setting the table for the seder after dark on Saturday night.

This allows you to relax in the company of your

family all day long on Shabbos. Enjoy it!

5) Set aside rolls for your Shabbos meals.

6) The rolls should be just enough for your needs;

not more than can be eaten completely.

7) Select a place to eat that can be thoroughly cleaned.

Consume or properly dispose of all the crumbs.

9) Finish really early – by 9:00 a.m. in some cities. (Important!)

To repeat – this is a summary only. You need more information and a knowledgeable mentor.

Have a kosher and happy Passover, 2008 (and one day less if you are from Israel!)

By: Leslie Rosenberg
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Dates-of-Passover—2008&id=971446
keyword: happy passover in hebrew

The Dates of Passover – 2008

The Hebrew dates of Passover this (and every) year are from the 15th through the 22nd of Nissan (one day less in Israel).

On the secular calendar the dates are from sundown April 19 until after dark on April 27 (oh yes, and one day less in Israel !).

The unusual circumstance is that Passover 2008 begins motzai Shabbos – at the end of the Jewish Sabbath. In other words, the first seder will take place on Saturday night, April 19, 2008.

So what? you ask. The day before Passover, the one followed immediately by the first seder, has a usual routine. When that day happens to be

Saturday – Shabbos – the routines change drastically.

Because of Sabbath restrictions:

A b’chor (firstborn son) cannot fast on Shabbos.

You cannot search for chametz on Friday night.

You cannot burn the chametz on Shabbos morning.

We can’t nullify our chametz on Shabbos.

We must nevertheless have bread of some kind for our

Shabbos meals (we can’t eat matzo yet).

By the way if this is Greek to you I have written on all of it in other articles on this site. You can also use the resource below.

Here is a summary of what to do this year:

1) Search for chametz on Thursday night after dark.

2) Burn your chametz Friday morning.

3) Ta’anis B’chorim – the fast of the firstborn – takes place

on either Thursday or Friday. Local customs vary.

4) Important: Make all preparations for the seder on Friday.

Start setting the table for the seder after dark on Saturday night.

This allows you to relax in the company of your

family all day long on Shabbos. Enjoy it!

5) Set aside rolls for your Shabbos meals.

6) The rolls should be just enough for your needs;

not more than can be eaten completely.

7) Select a place to eat that can be thoroughly cleaned.

Consume or properly dispose of all the crumbs.

9) Finish really early – by 9:00 a.m. in some cities. (Important!)

To repeat – this is a summary only. You need more information and a knowledgeable mentor.

Have a kosher and happy Passover, 2008 (and one day less if you are from Israel!)

By: Leslie Rosenberg
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Dates-of-Passover—2008&id=971446
keyword: happy passover in hebrew

St. Joseph's Seder Meal.mp4

The St. Joseph 2nd graders enjoyed their 2010 Seder Meal. In this video, Mrs. Schuler explains the bitterness of slavery as it is symbolized by the challenging but “bitter” taste of horseradish on a cracker. Watch how some of the 2nd graders react to the taste!

By: stjoe2010
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2n8DtkhUd4
keyword: seder meal

Passover Foods – What You Need at the Seder Meal

The main Passover activity is the seder which takes place on the first two evenings of the holiday (only one if you live in Israel). At the seder a special seder plate is used to display the needed foods. They are all symbols or reminders of the story of the redemption of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. The story is told in the Passover haggada.

The seder meal has some indispensible components. The most visible is the matza, the unleavened bread. It symbolizes slavery but also represents self-control. Self-mastery is what Jews need to become faithful servants of their Creator who saved them from Egypt for just that purpose. Round, square, hand or machine made, matza is kosher as long as it’s under kosher supervision.

Wine or grape juice – four cups for each participant – is also needed. Wine and matza are the two items that need the most care to be kosher.

The next item is maror – a bitter herb. Horseradish root is the sinus-clearing champion when it comes to bitterness. You can also use romaine lettuce. The bitter herb is used at two separate points in the seder and reminds the participants of the bitterness of slavery.

Also on the seder plate are a bone with meat on it symbolic of the Passover lamb sacrificed until the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. A hardboiled egg symbolizes the actual destruction of the Temple.

Charoses – a sweet concoction of wine, apples and nuts – is a reminder of the mortar used by the Jewish slaves. You’ll need a recipe.

A plain vegetable – like radish or celery are common – and salt water for dipping are also part of the proceedings.

Passover foods for the seder meal must be prepared on a weekday prior to the seder night. We don’t prepare on Saturday – it is Shabbos, the Sabbath. Use that day to relax and enjoy your company. Find a favorite haggada – it can reallly be helpful. For that brisket , tzimmes or dessert recipe – well, yes a Passover cookbook. I also recommend that you find a mentor, such as a rabbi and begin planning well in advance. You can do it!

About the Author: Leslie Rosenberg has a long-standing professional involvement in the kosher food industry. He has extensive knowledge of the Jewish dietarylaws and of kosher certification practices.

By: Leslie Rosenberg
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Passover-Foods—What-You-Need-at-the-Seder-Meal&id=971018
keyword: seder meal