The celebration of Passover is eight days long.It is an observance of the freedom and
exodus of the Israelites from Egypt 3000 years ago.Moses demanded the freedom of the Israelites from Pharaoh
Ramses II.When he said no, God
sent ten terrible plagues on the people of Egypt.They were blood, frogs, lice, flies, cattle disease, boils,
hail, locusts, darkness, and the slaying of the first-born.
With the arrival of the last plague, all first-borns of man
or beast were to be killed except, of course, the Israelites.They were told to put lambs blood on
their front doors so God would “Passover” those homes.Finally, the Pharaoh let them go only
to pursue them across the hot desert.When the Israelites approached the Red Sea, God parted the waves and let
them pass through safely.When the
Pharaoh’s army followed, the water covered their heads.
The first two nights of the eight-day celebration of
Passover, families gather and retell this story.They begin their celebration with a meal known as Seder that
includes specific foods, plates, and utensils.Only foods that are “Kosher” are allowed and the
children participate in the reenactment of the story.
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