What a double-blessing this year as the Jewish Passover falls on the same day as the Christians, Orthodox, Catholic Good Friday. Both Holy Days are on March 30, 2018. Each year at Los Robles Care Center, in Ojai, California, we would have a Jewish Seder, led by our Jewish residents of the nursing home.
A lady Jewish resident from New York City, Mikel, would explain the foods on our plate, as we ate them, and say her Jewish prayers for her Jewish people. She allowed her Gentile neighbors, fellow residents of the nursing home and staff, to also partake. Passover is the Festival when the Exodus of the Jewish nation from enslavement in Egypt is celebrated. On the plate is:
Maror, bitter herbs (horseradish) representing the slavery of the Jewish people.
Karpas, is the non-bitter vegetable parsley, dipped into salted water symbolizing the tears of the slaves.
Haroset is apples, nuts, and wine representing the mortar and bricks used by the Jewish slaves.
An egg and a glass of wine complete the Feast.
"Blessed are You, Our God, Who sanctifies Shabbat, our people Israel, and the Festivals." We pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God's protection and love over His people, the Chosen Jewish people of Israel. When the first night of Passover falls on a Friday night, which it does this year, the Shehecheyanu is recited over the wine before drinking the wine of the Festival. Listen...
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