THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040021
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Of all the religious holy days sprinkled throughout the year, none is more ancient or steeped in richer tradition than Passover, which Jews the world over began celebrating last night and which continues during the next seven days.
Passover commemorates the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. According to the story set out in the book of Exodus, God told Moses to order all Jewish families to slaughter a lamb and daub the outside of their houses with its blood. The blood would be a signal to the Lord to ``pass over'' that home as he killed the first born in each Egyptian home as punishment for the enslavement of the Jewish people.
According to the Bible, Pharaoh's own son died in the slaughter. Pharaoh then freed the children of Israel, who quickly fled Egypt after more than 400 years of slavery.
Modern Jewish families generally celebrate Passover with a seder - ceremonial dinner - in their homes. According to tradition, the only bread eaten by the faithful during Passover is unleavened bread. Hence, the boxes of matzah stacked on grocery shelves in recent weeks.
Rabbi Elliott Marmon of Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach said the story of the Passover is also ``the first instance in recorded history when a people got out from under the yoke of another.'' So the celebration of Passover is a commemoration of the Jews' redemption and freedom.
In Israel this year, Passover is infused with a special sadness. The country is still reeling from the assassination of it's prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995 and by the deaths of innocent Israelis at the hands of terrorists in recent months.
``The rest of us will feel their sadness,'' Rabbi Marmon said of the families in Israel who will be celebrating Passover this year without their loved ones.
Despite recent events, Rabbi Israel Zoberman of the Beth Chaverim Congregation in Virginia Beach noted that Passover reminds Jews to never lose heart.
``In every era people are faced with the same dramas,'' Rabbi Zoberman added. ``The message of Passover is to never give up hope.''
Of all the religious holy days sprinkled throughout the year, none is more ancient or steeped in richer tradition than Passover, which Jews the world over began celebrating last night and which continues during the next seven days.
Passover commemorates the deliverance of the ancient Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. According to the story set out in the book of Exodus, God told Moses to order all Jewish families to slaughter a lamb and daub the outside of their houses with its blood. The blood would be a signal to the Lord to ``pass over'' that home as he killed the first born in each Egyptian home as punishment for the enslavement of the Jewish people.
According to the Bible, Pharaoh's own son died in the slaughter. Pharaoh then freed the children of Israel, who quickly fled Egypt after more than 400 years of slavery.
Modern Jewish families generally celebrate Passover with a seder - ceremonial dinner - in their homes. According to tradition, the only bread eaten by the faithful during Passover is unleavened bread. Hence, the boxes of matzah stacked on grocery shelves in recent weeks.
Rabbi Elliott Marmon of Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach said the story of the Passover is also ``the first instance in recorded history when a people got out from under the yoke of another.'' So the celebration of Passover is a commemoration of the Jews' redemption and freedom.
In Israel this year, Passover is infused with a special sadness. The country is still reeling from the assassination of it's prime minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995 and by the deaths of innocent Israelis at the hands of terrorists in recent months.
``The rest of us will feel their sadness,'' Rabbi Marmon said of the families in Israel who will be celebrating Passover this year without their loved ones.
Despite recent events, Rabbi Israel Zoberman of the Beth Chaverim Congregation in Virginia Beach noted that Passover reminds Jews to never lose heart.
``In every era people are faced with the same dramas,'' Rabbi Zoberman added. ``The message of Passover is to never give up hope.'' by CNB