Pesach

Question 1

What is Pesach about?

Answer 1

commemorates the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt

Question 2

What does Peach celebrate?

Answer 2

National liberation and dramatises the belief that God hears the cry of the oppressed

Question 3

What period does the festival cover?

Answer 3

The week form the Exodus to the crossing of the Red Sea

Question 4

What was each Israelite household instructed to do on the eve of their redemption?

Answer 4

• to roast a lamb at nightfall

- then daub the animal’s blood on doorposts to ensure their first born will escape harm

Question 5

How is the lamb to be consumed at the festival?

Answer 5

• to be consumed in haste

- eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs

Question 6

What do the bitter herbs symbolise?

Answer 6

Symbolise the bitterness inflicted on captive Israelites by their slave masters

Question 7

What must one abstain from eating on Pesach?

Answer 7

• eating leavened foods

- leavened food are made from the 5 species of grain associated with the land of Israel

Question 8

What type of festival was Pesach originally?

Answer 8

a pilgrim festival

Question 9

What are the differences between the lamb used in the festival now and the pilgrim festival?

Answer 9

• paschal lamb was eaten in the precincts of the temple

- the lamb is now symbolised by a roasted shankbone on the seder plate

Question 10

When is Pesach celebrated and how long does it last?

Answer 10

• on the 15th day of Nissan

- lasts for 7 days

Question 11

What is one of the core commandments of celebration of Peach?

Answer 11

To explain the significance of Pesach to ones children

Question 12

“and you should tell…”

Answer 12

“it to your son.”

Exodus 13

Question 13

How is the core commandment of Peach celebration, carried out?

Answer 13

By reciting the Haggadah at the Seder on the first two nights of Pesach

Question 14

How is it ensured that no leavened food enters the chain?

Answer 14

Processed foods have to be made under rabbinic supervision

Question 15

Why is there an exhaustive spring clean as a prelude to Peach?

Answer 15

To ensure that there is no leaven in the house, because the Torah forbids it.

Question 16

What is the Sabbath before Pesach known as?

Answer 16

Shabbat Hagadol

Question 17

What does the Shabbat Hagadol include in its service?

Answer 17

• read from portion of Malachi, who envisions the re-appearance of Elijah
• commemoration of past entails hope and redemption for the future

Question 18

What is the tradition, the night before Pesach?

Answer 18

To scatter a few pieces of chametz around the house and then find them in a ceremonial search

Question 19

What is the “Fast of the Firstborn”?

Answer 19

Commemorates the miracle which spared the firstborn of the plague

Question 20

How can one be spared from the fast of the firstborn?

Answer 20

If they attend a siyyum.

Question 21

What is the set text at the Seder?

Answer 21

A set traditional text of the Haggadah

Question 22

What is there a need to do at the Passover meal?

Answer 22

Need to prompt discussion of meaning of Peach

Question 23

Who is it important to extend hospitality to at Pesach?

Answer 23

To those who may be on their own.

Question 24

“let all who…”

Answer 24

“hungry come and eat.”

Haggadah

Question 25

What else is Pesach sometimes known as?

Answer 25

• the festival of spring

- because Peach was the first time when barley was reaped on the land of Israel

Question 26

What is the significant of theme of Pesach?

Answer 26

Theme of redemption

Question 27

How is the theme of redemption expressed at Pesach?

Answer 27

• it is through rituals of festivals that Jews can experience the emotions of slavery to freedom
• spiritual redemption in that they longer bound to pagan Gods

Question 28

“because it was on this very day…”

Answer 28

“that I brought you divisions out of Egypt.”

Exodus 12

Question 29

“each generation of participants is encouraged to…”

Answer 29

“regard itself as if they were standing on the edge of spiritual redemption.”

Melanie J. Wright

Question 30

What does Pesach also look forward to?

Answer 30

• redemption of world under the rule of God

- Seder includes many allusions to the coming of the Messiah

Question 31

What is done with the cup of wine?

Answer 31

• has a blessing said over it

- cup is set aside for the prophet Elia=jah

Question 32

Why is the front door opened?

Answer 32

In hope that this is the night where the world will be redeemed by God.

Question 33

What is the importance of Exodus 12-15 in Pesach?

Answer 33

The retelling of the story celebrates Jewish teaching about redemption and hope.

Question 34

What do Jews eat and drink on Pesach?

Answer 34

Jews eat symbolic foods from the Seder plate and drink 4 glasses of wine

Question 35

How is the telling of the Exodus story begun?

Answer 35

• youngest child asks 4 questions
• head of the family must give answers.
• they reply with how God brought them out of slavery and how it is still praiseworthy.

Question 36

Matzah

Answer 36

• unleavened bread

- acts as a reminder that there was no time for bread for rise before the Israelites escaped from Egypt.

Question 37

Roasted lamb shankbone

Answer 37

• commemorates the lamb sacrifice they made the night before they fled to Egypt.

Question 38

“when I see the blood…”

Answer 38

“I will pass over you.”

Exodus 12

Question 39

Maror

Answer 39

• bitter herb, usually horse raddish
• brings tears to the eyes of those who eat it
• reflects the bitterness of the slavery

Question 40

Charoset

Answer 40

• sweet paste made of apple, cinnamons and raisins

- symbolises the sweetness of redemption

Question 41

4 cups of wine

Answer 41

• really the fourfold promise of redemption in Exodus 6.

Question 42

“in many ways…”

Answer 42

“it epitomises Judaism.”

Melanie J. Wright