The Denver Jewish news., 1922-04-05
Passover

| bera tiOn, knOwnw in Hebrew rs Pc
sach,' begins this year on "Wednesday
evening. April II. Starting on this
evening every Jewish household in the
country eats MatZOth. the unlcavened
bread. In some households no Ieaven
of any character is eaten during the
eight days the festival of Passover is
observed
Among the more liberal Jews of this
country Pas .over ends on Wednesday.
April 10. In most Jewish homes, how
ever liberal, n portion of the elaborate
ritual built mp during the long CEN
turtles this fenst has been celebrated
will be retained.
The opening evening of the festival.
known as Setler night, will certainly
he observed in NIL Jewish homes. A
special ritual has been compiled for
this service called the ''IIaggadah."
events of the Exodus by means OF
quaint songs and stories. and endeav-
ors to awaken within the soul OF old
and young love of liberty. The ritual
of the Sedcr stresses the notion that
each one is to regard himself as If he
himself came forth from the house of
Egyptian bondage.
Additional efforts have been cxerted
can Rabbis to make this festival of
Seder more appreciated among the
younger g"nrntion of American Israel
and to this end n enw edition of the
''Haggadnh' is being prepared which
will retain the salient features of the
mncient ritual and omit only such
fragments as are obscure and inapplic-
able to our day and generation.
Many Jewish congregation, and or
panizatiOns are planning to celebrate
Sctler in their own institutions. While
primarily feast for the home there is
no traditional objection to an instittu-
ton, sympoblizing as 1t does n larger
family. gathering about n festive
board and rcviving common memories
Originally Passover was an ngricul-
tural feast. At a later period 1t be-
came ASSOCIATED in part from its pri
mitive nature and was ide1tified with
nn event in the early history of the
Hebrews which invested the festival
with the new and highly significant
spiritual message of liberty for all
mankind
In the synagog the note of Spring is
reflected in the assigned schriptural
reading from the Song of Songs where
in the worshipper l. reminded that
the winter is over and gone and the
song of the turtle-dove is again heard
In the land.
This Joyous note is not sounded TO
the exclusion of the historical associa-
ton of the Exodus of the Children of
Israel from Egypt. The purpose OF
the Passover Is to recall to mind the
many miracles which were wrought in
behalf of the House of Jacob by the
never slumbcring Guardian and Keep
CT of Israel
Throughout the festival Of Pass
over the historical circumstance OF
this delivery from Egyptian bondage
is wildly revived and the scenes re-
viewed where the kindred of Joseph
we're degraded to slave labor in the
very country upon which their illustri-
Gus ancestor had showpred richest
blessings. Their cnslavement of body
afflicted likewise their souls. They
sank into the grevious thraldom of
despair.
The delivcrance from Egyptian ty-
fanny assured them that their suppl
cations had been heard on High. The
memory of this redemption reminds
tie modern Jews that they too must
he on their guard against oppression
and work with all their might for the
eventual triumph of humanity over
the tyranny of injustice and iniquity.
Passover has inspired the Jew to
trust in the eventual reign of right
eousness.