Monday 18 April 2011

Passover

Passover begins at sunset this evening. In Jewish homes all over the world, the special meal will be eaten, the four questions will be asked and the four answers will be given.

I've only been to a Passover seder once. Many years ago in Winnipeg, I belonged to a lesbian spirituality group. A Jewish member and her partner hosted a beautiful Passover seder for us. They prepared a feminist, Goddess-based hagaddah in accordance with which we ate, drank, read and were blessed. It was a vegetarian meal so we didn't eat an actual lamb shank but had tofu instead, if memory serves correctly. My old friend Manischewitz was there as well. And of course, we played "hide the matzo" too.


This is the cup of Miriam, the cup of living waters.
Blessed are you, Shekinah, Source of Life, who gives us living waters.

Shalom, everyone!

19 comments:

Laura said...

thank you Debra for the holiday greeting...I think you would like the haggadah I organized for my family this year too...much of it came from the Open Door Hagaddah...but I've added some of my own commentary as well.

The Dancing Crone said...

Beautiful! Thanks Debra.

Suzie said...

Thank you! And Aleichem Shalom, to you, Debra!

Growing up, my Dad insisted that I have a very broad, enlightening path of spiritual discovery, while my Mom pressed her Christian beliefs, so I had a very diversified journey, attending temples, synagogues, and churches of many, many denominations. I grew up in a neighborhood of many cultures, so it was easy to attend with one of my friends.

I truly lucked out though, going to one of the local Synagogues with my neighbor, whose Mom and Grandmother took it upon themselves that I be included in all celebrations both at the temple, and in their homes. Before a service, one of the Rabbi's would come and sit with me, and tell me the story behind their holiday, and what was going to happen, and why. I gained respect for their history, and how they have kept their faith alive.

How wonderful for you, that you were able to take part in a very personalized Passover Seder! It obviously meant something special to you, because you still remember the details. (even the wine! lol)

As a Native American Elder once told a group of us, at a Sunrise Ceremony, "You may see other Sunrise Ceremonies that are different. That doesn't mean that any are wrong. . only different. It is the personal meaning and dedication that you put into the symbols, the prayers, and the order in which you do your ceremony, that counts".

mxtodis123 said...

Shalom! My neighborhood is readying for the holiday.
Mary

mermaid gallery said...

I like the ceremony of organized religion... and the Jewish rituals are so ancient....interesting....

laughingwolf said...

blessings to all, deb!

BugginWord said...

I still can't talk about Mani...*hurls*

Oh the fascinating decisions we make in college.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Lovely post~~I have always wanted to attend a passover seder, but where I live, well, let's say it isn't called the bible belt for nothing.
You are fortunate to have been able to share in an old and treasured ceremony. I'll have to settle for reading and documentary.
And for us all, especially now,

Shalom.
XXOO~~
Anne

Sarah Sullivan said...

Shalom to you hon! There is something deeply beautiful in Jewish traditions I think. I have always wanted to attend a Seder. Thank you for sharing this!
Hugs, Sarah

Wendy said...

Part of my ancestry is Jewish and while I don't celebrate or follow any of the Jewish religion I do love the holy days as much as the Wheel of the Year. I think I would have loved the Seder dinner you went to. It sounds like a Jewitch honoring. May everything in your life that you wish to come to an end, pass you over for new life this Spring, Debra.

Rue said...

I love all the different ways people celebrate "Holy Week." I find it all so fascinating. I was watching the celebration at the Sikh Temple yesterday. All the men were outside wrapping the flag pole in all new gold fabric.

Shalom!

Anonymous said...

Shalom!

I've had the joy of attending a few Passovers and loved each and every Seder :-)

Kathy said...

At one time in my spiritual journey, I explored the "Messianic Jewish" trend, which ended quite badly for me. But we never did celebrate Passover for some reason. Later on, I discovered it was a trend in evangelical churches to invite a Jewish person (usually a Messianic Jew) to celebrate Christ in the Passover and a seder along with it. I never attended one though.

I'm glad yours was beautiful and spiritual. It sounds like it was a wonderful experience.

Anne Johnson said...

Asherah and I are going to do each others' toenails. She's always a little blue at Passover.

Jim said...

Debra, ever consider teaching a 'religious studies' course? You'd be great at it and I'd be your first student to sign up!

yellowdoggranny said...

thanks for the information..cause I didn't know that.

Blueberry said...

Wine, tofu, fellowship and some good memories...

Shalet Jimmy said...

That's wonderful. This is totally a new information for me.

Mistress Maddie said...

Oh honey, I love these! I did one of these a while back, except it was only eight guest for dinner. You can check it out. The post was titled A Garden Lunch with Riparian Entertainment! It was a odd list, but what would one expect from the Mistress!!!