Posted on 04/21/2005 11:23:05 AM PDT by yoely
Shopping. Cooking. Yelling at my daughter for being a lazy skank.
Passover is very important to those of us Messianic believers also.
From our website
Passover Potpourri
Readings: Torah: Exodus 33:12- 34:26; Numbers 28:19-25
We sometimes think that Passover is limited to the Seder. Actually, both in Scripture and in tradition, there are a lot more customs to celebrate other than the Seder on the first two nights. In Scripture (Leviticus 23:9-14) we find Firstfruits—the beginning of the barley harvest. A sheaf of barley was brought to the tabernacle, (later the temple) and waved in the presence of the L-rd. In addition, a burnt offering, a grain offering and a drink offering were brought at the same time. This was a vivid reminder to the people of Israel not to be greedy and selfish, but to stop and remember where their material blessings came from. We, too, need to pause and take time—we also forget from where our blessings come. (James 1:17).
Firstfruits for New Covenant believers has an additional meaning. Yeshua, on the first day after the Sabbath on Passover, rose from the dead; the "firstfruits" or the beginning harvest of those who will be raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:20). From that day when the people of Israel brought that first sheaf of barley, they were to count 49 days until the first fruits of the wheat harvest called Shavuot (or Pentecost). The custom of counting days has come to be known as "the Counting of the Omer" (an omer is a measure of wheat, like "bushel"). The counting of the omer has always been a time of waiting—having experienced a small harvest of barley, and looking forward to God's more abundant harvest. The disciples of Yeshua waited patiently (?) for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, we today have experienced God's blessings of different types, but we know He has so much more for us. So, we patiently (?) wait for the balance...
Another Passover custom is the reading of Song of Songs (Megillat Shir Ha-Shirim). That has always been puzzling. Songs of Songs is a song of celebration (a fairly explicit one) of the physical joys of married life. What does that have to do with Passover? The rabbis explained that Songs of Songs can be seen as symbolic of God's special love relationship to the nation of Israel. What better time to celebrate it than at Passover, when the Lord demonstrated it in so many tangible ways—the deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, etc.
What about us—when was the last time we took time to revel in God's tender love for us?
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say,
'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" [Psalm 118:26]
Barukh haba b'Shem Adonai
Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord
Y'shua HaMashiach
B’Shem Y’shua
chuck
But as stressed as you probably are, I can understand. :-P
Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Guy Chever
These are the names of four Israeli sons who cannot be at our seder table this year. Since they cannot ask their questions at our table, we are asking four more questions for them at our seder this year.
1) Why are these sons different from all other sons?
While fighting for their people and the security of the State of Israel, these sons, soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces, were captured in Lebanon and taken prisoner.
2) Why are these prisoners different from all other prisoners?
These missing soldiers have been denied the basic human rights guaranteed by international law. They have been treated as hostages rather than as prisoners of war and have been denied any form of contact with their families, or with any Israeli or international human rights organizations.
3) Why are these hostages different from all other hostages?
These sons are being held hostage more than 22 years after international efforts have secured the release of all the other Western hostages who were held in Lebanon. Zachary Baumel (a U.S. citizen), Tzvi Feldman, and Yehuda Katz were captured in 1982 in the battle of Sultan Yaqub and Ron Arad was captured in 1986. Guy Chever disappeared in 1997. In spite of Israel's aid in securing the release of the other Western hostages, the Israeli hostages were not included in that release. Arab governments refuse to divulge any information about the conditions under which they are being held. The pain and anxiety of their families and friends are immeasurable.
4) Why do we raise the issue of Israeli soldiers who are missing in action at the seder on Passover?
All Jews the world over must fight for the freedom of Jews who are held captive. Pidyon Shevuyim is a mitzvah of the highest priority and we are commanded to fulfill it. On behalf of these missing soldiers, we implore the International Red Cross to do everything possible in order for them to be released and brought home. We beseech Kofi Anan, Secretary General of the UN, and the U.S. government to do their utmost in order to obtain a sign of life and information about their condition. On Chag HaPesach, we stand with Israel and the families of the MIAs to combine our strengths and to fight for the return of these four sons. In the name of justice and humanity, we urge world leaders, international human rights organizations, and the United States government to help "FREE OUR SONS!"
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A fine question for the Israeli Government on the occasion of prisoner releases, as well as the US Government when it praises and encourages Israels actions.
A Kosher and Happy Pesach!
It's nicer than the other word I almost used. :)
And as for the Maror, you haven't been to one of my family's seders. Where is would seem that the suffering is the best part, among "men" ages 10-50?? They stand up and stage a hilarious contest to see who can eat the most on their piece of matzah. It is frightening to observe! (It may help their digestion, however painfully, after the meal??)
To all our Jewish and Messianic posters and lurkers comes this heart-felt hope that you and your families enjoy a meaningful and blessed Passover.
1st-p
Oh, Happy Passover is perfectly fine!
(Try not to gain 10 lbs eating afterward, because we've got enough fat Freepers. Not me of course:))
A Happy Passover to all Jewish FReepers from this Methodist.
If you feel brave, you can try #7's greeting (Hag Sameach = Happy Holiday). The pronounciation is something like:
Chag (with the "ch" pronounced like the ch in the Scottish word "loch", NOT like "ch" in "church") SahMAYach (same "ch" as in loch pronounciation at the end of this word too).
Happy Passover!
I wish all of my Jewish FReeper friends a very blessed and happy Pssover! God bless y'all real good!
Ooops. Sorry I missed you! You have a wonderful and blessed Passover!
A Happy Passover to all Jewish FReepers from this Southern Baptist boy.
Probably the jews in town are JINO's Jews in name only and dont go to synagogue or dont practice. That all I can think of. There probably is a synagogue in town, but you dont know it.
I cleaned out my truck today.
And yes, all that stuff really happened, folks, no matter what the liberal Notzerim say! And Barukh HaShem that it did!
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