Results: Passover Begins Tonight
Published on 03/30/2018
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1.
1.
Tonight at sundown, Jewish families all over the world will be sitting down for the seder, the meal and ceremony that begins the Jewish holiday of Passover, which lasts for eight days. Do you celebrate Passover?
No
84%
1780 votes
Yes
12%
246 votes
Not really, but I do join friends at a seder
5%
105 votes
2.
2.
Passover is one of the most observed of all the Jewish holidays, even by non-observant Jews. How many of these Passover facts did you know?
The traditional dinners (seders) are held on the first two nights (or sometimes only one if you are in Israel) and ushers in the holiday. Seder means order, and is a special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday.
14%
289 votes
During the eight days, beginning with the seder Jewish families refrain from eating chametz (leaven) so nothing from five major grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats and spelt) that has not been completely cooked within 18 minutes after first coming into contact with water.
14%
306 votes
The traditional substitute for chametz is matzah which is an unleavened cracker and can be used as a substitute for flour in baking and cooking
15%
316 votes
The text of the seder is written in a book called the haggadah. The haggadah tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt and explains some of the practices and symbols of the holiday
8%
165 votes
This holiday is a Time of Our Freedom, with many joyous songs sung during the seder.
7%
139 votes
Before the holiday, homes are cleaned out of all chametz in preparation, accompanied by spring cleaning
8%
178 votes
Passover commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
19%
411 votes
In Hebrew it is known as Pesach (which means "to pass over"), because God passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.
15%
328 votes
Knew all of these
10%
219 votes
Knew none
56%
1199 votes
3.
3.
At the seder, the highlight of the table is the sedar plate which includes foods representative of very specific things. The plate includes, Karpas -- green leafy vegetable, usually pasley, which represents the initial flourishing of the Israelites during the first years in Egypt and also springtime, Haroset -- mix of fruits, wine or honey, and nuts symbolizes the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to construct buildings for Pharaoh, Maror -- bitter herb, usually horseradish allows us to taste the bitterness of slavery, Z'roa -- roasted lamb shank bone that symbolizes the lamb that Jews sacrificed as the special Passover offering when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, and Beitzah --roasted or hard-boiled egg that symbolizes the hagigah sacrifice, which would be offered on every holiday (including Passover) when the Temple stood. The roundness of the egg also represents the cycle of life. Have you ever seen a Passover plate?
No
80%
1704 votes
Yes
16%
342 votes
I have one!
4%
85 votes
4.
4.
The message of Passover, in modern times, is still a message to embrace. While Jews all over the world celebrate a holiday about freedom from persecution, we should all remember that not everyone is free. It is important to reflect on what needs to be done so that everyone is free of human bondage, persecution, intolerance and hatred. When the Haggadah, the text that is read at the Seder, instructs us to remember that we were strangers in a strange land, that means it is "our responsibility" to reach out to refugees and others in need. The message of Passover is hope that we can change, that we can make things better, not just for Jews, but for all religions, races and cultures. Do you feel this message is one that all of us can learn from?
Absolutely!
57%
1220 votes
Not sure
25%
523 votes
No
18%
388 votes
5.
5.
So, to all of you who celebrate, happy Passover -- or as we say Chag Pesach Sameach! Now, does anyone have any good recipes for desserts for the seder?
No, but happy Passover
48%
1014 votes
Yes, and I'll share
6%
134 votes
Yes, but I won't share (why not?)
2%
52 votes
Don't celebrate it
44%
931 votes
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