Passover, Seders bring students together

As Michigan residents enjoyed another beautiful spring day, Jewish people around the world prepared for the eight-day holiday known as Passover.

Passover commemorates the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. It is believed that Moses asked the Pharaoh to "Let my people go," and upon refusal, Egypt was stricken with 10 plagues. The 10th plague, the slaying of the first born, is where the name Passover came from. Jewish Egyptians would put lambs' blood on their homes so God would know to pass over their houses.

Passover takes place on the 15th of the Jewish month of Nisan, and includes lavish dinners, called Seders, family get-togethers and strict dietary laws.

Seders take place during the first two nights of Passover and are supposed to help re-enact the Jews exodus from Egypt 3,000 years ago, but also give families an opportunity to unite.

Orin Paliwoda, an LSA first-year student who plans to go home for a Passover Seder said, "Celebrating Passover with my family is a time-honored tradition in my family. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The Seder table consists of dishes and silverware exclusively reserved for Passover, a Seder plate and Haggadot, the book that is used during the Seder which contains portions of the Book of Exodus.

"I feel that everyone, including students, should participate in the holiday," Rabbi Alter Goldstein said. "People should celebrate however they want to, eat matzah, and appreciate God and freedom."

The special Passover dietary laws dictate that no Chometz - a general term for all food and drink made from wheat, barley, rye or oats - may be eaten. The main symbol associated with Passover is matzah, an unlevened bread similar to a cracker. The bread is reminiscent of the Jews exodus when they fled so quickly they did not even have time to let the bread rise.

The Seder plate is special in its own way. The plate contains five elements, each symbolizing something different. The first item is Haroseth, a mixture of chopped apples, pears and walnuts, represents the mortar used by the Jewish slaves in Egypt to make bricks. Parsley or onion dipped in salt water represents the tears shed by the slaves, while the bitter herbs symbolize bitter times. The last two items are the shank bone and roasted egg which are a symbol of two offerings.

The Seder begins with three pieces of matzah being broken in half, and the middle one, known as the Afikomen, is hidden for children to find later on.

The Seder often focuses on the children and tries to make them curious as to why each procedure is done.

Other elements of the Seder include four cups of wine, symbolizing freedom, deliverance, redemption and finally release. A fifth cup is reserved for the Prophet Elijah, and the door is opened so he can enter the house. Elijah is believed to be the messenger that will tell the people the messiah is coming.

Passover is being celebrated on campus with Seders being held at the Hillel and the Chabad House. For $15 to $18, students can attend Seders, or participate in the Hillel's Home Hospitality for Seders, where students are matched up with a local family to attend their Seder. Hillel also allows students to buy or rent Seder plates and Haggodot for their own Seders. University residence halls are also offering Kosher for Passover meals, including matzah pizza.

LSA first-year student Ryan Brooks said he is going home for Passover because although he was raised in the Christian religion, members of his family are Jewish.

"Passover for me is an excuse to see everyone together," Brooks said.

04-01-99