Showing posts with label Passover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Passover. Show all posts

Passover, Elijah, and Shabbat HaGadol

Apr 14, 2011 at 10:15 PM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

Shabbat HaGadol

This week is Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat that occurs at the beginning of the week in which Passover will be observed (Passover begins Monday evening). There are five special shabbatot leading up to Passover. Each special Shabbat has special readings that are read in addition to the weekly portion. The exception is Shabbat HaGadol. Instead of an additional reading from the Torah, Shabbat HaGadol is highlighted by only a special Haftarah reading from Malachi which concludes with the words:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and awesome day of HaShem” (Mal. 3:23).

Jewish tradition teaches us that Elijah is a messianic figure who will usher in Mashiach and the Messianic Age. This is purposely fitting at this season because Passover is our reliving and retelling of our redemption from Egypt. Both Jewish tradition and the New Testament portray Elijah as representing the coming of messianic redemption. That is why the figure of Elijah is so connected with Passover. Passover today commemorates our connection with not only our physical redemption from slavery, but our spiritual redemption as well.

The Besorah of Luke associates the personification of Elijah with John the Immerser:

“And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the L-rd" (Luke 1:17).

So John the Immerser was a fulfillment of this week’s special Haftarah reading from Malachi 3:23 in preparation for the incarnation and revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. Yet, the role of Elijah is still not complete, for there is an expectation that Elijah himself will yet return ahead of our glorious Mashiach. This is the reason Elijah is referenced so often in Jewish tradition, especially during Passover. During the Seder there is a whole place setting (or in some homes, simply a cup) that is specifically set aside. It is left untouched in the messianic hope that each year we will open the door during our Passover festivities, and welcome in Elijah, who will in turn usher in the return of our Messiah.

Next week during the Seder, we will proclaim, “Eliyahu HaNavi … Come quickly and speedily with Messiah the Son of David.” As we sing those words this Passover, let us also remember the words associated with Shabbat HaGadol - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the HaShem.”

May we all merit the return of Mashiach and see that day fulfilled speedily and soon!

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Welcoming Mashiach

Apr 12, 2011 at 10:10 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

John 12:1-26

The week before Pesach, after Yeshua had come from the house of Lazarus (whom he had previously raised from the dead) in Beit-Anyah, he traveled on to Jerusalem. Hearing that Yeshua was coming, the people began to run out to meet him. As he entered the city, riding on a donkey, the people waved palm branches and shouted “Hosha-Na, Hosha-Na! Baruch HaBa B'Shem HaShem! Melech Yisrael! - Deliver us! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of HaShem, the King of Israel!”

Upon seeing the crowds coming to greet him, Yeshua knew exactly what was taking place, and its significance. For at the same time, through another gate into the city, the same familiar scene was taking place. The Passover Lambs were being brought into the city, being led up to the Temple Mount. As they were brought into the city, the people were singing and dancing, and waving palm branches, shouting, “Hosha Na! Baruch HaBa B'Shem HaShem!”

The Passover lambs represented the atonement made on behalf of the Jewish people, and the shedding of whose blood brought deliverance from the plague of death. As Yeshua entered the city, and was met with the same recognition, there was a deep understanding of the event taking place. This was proclamtion to Yeshua's Messiahship and to his beeing seen as the Deliverer of the Jewish people. Riding on a donkey, a messianic symbol in Biblical times, Yeshua was fulfilling prophesies of what was to happen. He knew that it was now time to reveal himself to the world. In this Besorah reading, John testifies of this. How Yeshua, responding to his disciples Andrew and Philip, proclaimed:

“The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just grain; but if it dies, it produces a great harvest (John 12:23-24).”

During that final week of preparation before Passover, Yeshua, as the Passover lamb, was prepared to be sacrificed. Like the Passover lamb whose blood brought redemption to the people, Yeshua too knew that his blood would bring redemption to Israel. And when the High Priest slaughtered the lamb, announcing “it is finished,” that Yeshua too, as Israel's Highest Priest, would also declare “it is finished,” proclaiming the ultimate deliverance from the plague of spiritual death.

As Yeshua's elect, we must constantly, on a daily basis acknowlege his Messiahship in our lives. We too must cry out, “Hosha-Na! - G-d, please save us!” We must be desperate to see G-d work in our lives, and in our congregations and synagogues to bring about ultimate redemption! Zol shein zein d'geula, Moshioch zol shoin cumin -How lovely redemption shall be, for Mashiach is on His way!


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From Slavery to Freedom

Apr 2, 2010 at 9:18 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua


Shabbat Pesach
Then He said to me, “Human being! These bones are the whole house of Israel; and they are saying, ‘Our bones have dried up, our hope is gone, and we are completely cut off.’ Therefore prophesy…then you will know that I am HaShem – when I have opened your graves and made you get up out of your graves, my people! I will put my Spirit in you; and you will be alive. Then I will place you in your own land; and you will know that I, HaShem, have spoken, and that I have done it, says HaShem.” (Ezekiel 37: 11-14)

What is the connection between this week’s Haftarah reading and Passover? T

his portion was specifically chosen by the rabbis to be the Haftarah reading for Shabbat Pesach. With other more direct allusions to Passover existent in the Biblical text, the choice of this specific portion does seem to be a bit odd.

With a careful re-reading of the text one quickly notices familiar themes of redemption, renewal, and the ultimate promise to bring the Jewish people back to our Promised Land. These themes are echoed in numerous passages from the Torah in relation to the Exodus from Egypt.

Therefore, say to the people of Israel: “I am HaShem. I will free you from the forced labor of the Egyptians, rescue you from their oppression, and redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as my people, and I will be your G-d. Then you will know that I am HaShem, who freed you from the forced labor of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

(Exodus 6:6-8a)

While in Egypt, the people of Israel were like the dry bones mentioned in Ezekiel – dried up, without hope, and feeling cut off – slaves to Pharaoh – and slaves to death. But G-d spoke to Moshe, like he did through Ezekiel, and reassured Israel that He would remember us and restore us. HaShem commanded both Moshe and Ezekiel to prophesy Hope and Redemption to the Jewish People and to assure them that He would bring us out of captivity and death, and into the Promised Land. For by doing so, we would know as a people that HaShem is our G-d.

Like the Exodus from Egypt, the Dry Bones will experience an Exodus from despair and the valley of death, which is Galut – Exile. We are still in Exile. We are still often enslaved to a different sort of pharaoh. It is not difficult to look at the state of many of our Jewish people today and see dry bones, like Ezekiel’s vision, dried up, without hope, and completely cut off. Many of us have opted for other spiritual avenues or no spiritual connection at all. But G-d promises this will not always be the case.

Let this year be the beginning of our own personal redemptions. Every year we are supposed to celebrate Passover as though we ourselves are personally being delivered from slavery. And although we may not be literally slaves, we are all physically or spiritually bound and enslaved to something. So let us take “our staff in hand” as the Torah tells us, eat the Passover meal, and experience a new hope of redemption. A redemption that has been brought about through the atoning work of the ultimate Passover sacrifice – Yeshua the Messiah.


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Passover: Redemption Draws Nigh

Mar 29, 2010 at 10:21 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

While living in Budapest, Hungary, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in a Passover Seder with a large group of Holocaust survivors. This special group opened my eyes to a deeper message of freedom and redemption.

Sitting with Jewish people who experienced one of the worst atrocities in history, and to see how excited they were to be at that Seder was encouraging. For most, it was their first Seder since they were children, and for a few of them, it might also have been their last. Yet to experience and celebrate with them not only our liberation from Egypt, but their deliverance from the Holocaust, made the message of redemption during this season very real.

Pesach (Hebrew for Passover), recounts G-d’s deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt approximately 3,300 years ago. The Passover week actually includes three separate, yet connected holidays – Pesach (only the first night), Chag HaMatzot (the Feast of Unleavened Bread), and Yom HaBikkurim (the Feast of First Fruits and Resurrection). Passover has remained a distinct identity marker of the Jewish people throughout years of dispersion and turmoil, and remains one of the most widely observed Jewish practices.

Pesach, as did all the Biblical festivals, played an enormous role within the life of Yeshua and his followers. There are over 28 references to the observance of Passover within the New Testament alone. By the time of Yeshua, a whole order of service had been developed surrounding the covenant meal, called a Seder, where, according to the Biblical text, lamb is commanded to be eaten along with matzah and maror (bitter herbs). As many of us are already aware, the Seder is the context for Yeshua’s last covenant meal (often called the Last Supper) shared with his disciples before his death.

The Biblical text is clear that we can never atone for ourselves. Only a blood covering can provide atonement for sin. That was the role of the sacrificial system – to make atonement for our shortcomings. The blood of the Passover lamb was placed on the door-posts, which caused death to "passed over" the homes of the Israelites. Through the sacrifice of Yeshua, death in our lives is “passed over” once and for all.

Our sages teach us that in every generation we should celebrate Passover as though we ourselves are personally being delivered from Egypt. For within Jewish understanding, “Egypt” represents more than just a geographical place on a map. The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim, which is related to the word maytzorim, meaning boundaries and limitations. As such, to be “redeemed from Egypt” is to overcome and be redeemed from those natural limitations that impede the realization of our fullest potential. Passover is our opportunity for redemption!

This “Festival of Freedom” is one all of us can benefit from – Jews and non-Jews alike. And I pray that it should be so for all of us. Freedom to think beyond ourselves … to not take who we are, and what we have for granted. Freedom to think on a larger scale and have a bigger vision for what G-d wants to do in our lives and in our congregations. G-d is only as limited as we make Him in our lives. Be encouraged in this Passover season, for redemption draws nigh!

Chag Pesach Sameach - Have a wonderful and Happy Passover!


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Welcoming Elijah

Mar 26, 2010 at 9:51 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua

Parashat Tzav – Shabbat Hagadol

Our Torah portion this week, Parashat Tzav, describes the order for offerings and the process for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests of Israel. The portion concludes with Moses sprinkling Aaron and his sons with a mixture of blood and oil, and of the requirement to stay within the Tabernacle for seven days – thus completing their consecration before HaShem.

This week is also Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat that occurs at the beginning of the week in which Passover will be observed (Passover begins Monday evening). There are five special shabbatot leading up to Passover. Each special Shabbat has special readings that are read in addition to the weekly portion. The exception is Shabbat HaGadol. Instead of an additional reading from the Torah, Shabbat HaGadol is highlighted by only a special Haftarah reading from Malachi which concludes with the words:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and awesome day of HaShem” (Mal. 3:23).

Jewish tradition teaches us that Elijah is a messianic figure who will usher in Mashiach and the Messianic Age. This is purposely fitting at this season because Passover is our reliving and retelling of our redemption from Egypt. Both Jewish tradition and the New Testament portray Elijah as representing the coming of messianic redemption. That is why the figure of Elijah is so connected with Passover. Passover today commemorates our connection with not only our physical redemption from slavery, but our spiritual redemption as well.

The Besorah of Luke associates the personification of Elijah with John the Immerser:

“And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the L-rd" (Luke 1:17).

So John the Immerser was a fulfillment of this week’s special Haftarah reading from Malachi 3:23 in preparation for the incarnation and revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. Yet, the role of Elijah is still not complete, for there is an expectation that Elijah himself will yet return ahead of our glorious Mashiach. This is the reason Elijah is referenced so often in Jewish tradition, especially during Passover. During the Seder there is a whole place setting (or in some homes, simply a cup) that is specifically set aside. It is left untouched in the messianic hope that each year we will open the door during our Passover festivities, and welcome in Elijah, who will in turn usher in the return of our Messiah.

This Shabbat we recall the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests before G-d. We will also read about the return of Elijah who will usher in an even greater consecration and priesthood. Next week during the Seder, we will proclaim, “Eliyahu HaNavi … Come quickly and speedily with Messiah the Son of David.”

As we sing those words this Passover, let us also remember the words associated with Shabbat HaGadol - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the HaShem.” May we all merit the return of Mashiach and see that day fulfilled speedily and soon!


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New Vine of David Haggadot

Mar 17, 2010 at 8:46 AM | Posted by Rabbi Joshua


Vine of David, a publishing arm of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ) has recently published two different Haggadot in time for Pesach. (However, I just heard that they have already sold-out of all the Pesach Haggadahs).

FFOZ has an excellent reputation in regard to the quality of their materials. They have consistently put out quality publications, and continue to increase the quality with every new product.

Derek Leman, a friend, colleague, and fellow-blogger just spent an afternoon with the guys from FFOZ and was able to visit their headquarters and beautiful Beit Midrash. You can read about Derek's experience on his blog.

I have been quite impressed with these two new Haggadot and believe FFOZ has made a contribution to how Messianic Jews will observe Pesach in the future.

The Passover Haggadah

Vine of David's new Passover Haggadah is sure to change the face of all Messianic Haggadot. It is very well laid out, with Hebrew on the right side of the page, and English and essential transliterations on the left. The Hebrew font is easy to read and large.

It is also a complete Haggadah, retaining all the traditional elements of the Seder, while adding Messianic elements. I even applaud FFOZ for retaining some traditional songs in the back like Chad Gadya.

One of the strengths of this Haggadah is also one of its weaknesses. Because it is a complete Haggadah retaining the traditional elements and Messianic supplements, it is a little long. As such, it will be interesting to see how many congregations will adopt it for their communal Seders.

The illustrations accompanying the text are another nice touch. However, a couple of the illustrations I found a little out of place in a Messianic Jewish Haggadah. For example, on p.16 there is an illustration of a family sitting around the seder table. One figure on the left is wearing a large felt yarmulke, a beard, and peyos. The rest of the family looks more Modern-Orthodox. What I found a little disconnecting is that the family hardly resembles 90% of American Jews.

If this were a Haggadah published by Chabad or Artscroll I would not even bat an eye. But for a Haggadah aimed at a wider Jewish community, Jewish people will need to see themselves reflected in the pages. It would be more helpful if the illustrations reflected the diversity of the American Jewish community today.

However, this is really a minor detail, and overall the new Vine of David Haggadah is definitely a positive contribution to Messianic Haggadot and I would not be surprised if it becomes a staple of Messianic households in the future.

I highly recommend this Haggadah for your Seder table.

The Seudat Mashiach Haggadah

Vine of David's second Haggadah is probably the most innovative of the two new Haggadot. It is a Haggadah for Seudat Mashiach - the Meal of Messiah. For those unfamiliar with this practice, there is a custom among many Chasidim to observe another Seder on the last night of Pesach. This special Seder, called Seudat Mashiach - the Meal of Messiah, is observed in anticipation of the Messianic banquet that will happen when Mashiach returns. The custom was implemented by the Baal Shem Tov, and recalls not just the themes of our redemption from Egypt, but heavily draws on our future redemption and the regathering of Israel.

A Seudat Mashiach is very loose. It is based on the themes and four cups of a regular Seder, but traditionally there has not been a set Haggadah for this in the wider Jewish community. Some households and communities do have certain customs during their meal, but these practices will vary widely. Most of the Seudot Mashiach I have attended in Chasidic communities have mostly centered around telling stories and singing niggunim. There was no set reading or a real set order.

Several of us have observed the practice of Seudat Mashiach for nearly ten years, and a few Messianic Jewish communities have even hosted a Seudat Mashiach in their congregations. As a Messianic Jew, I have always found this custom deeply meaningful and another way to express my Messianic hashkafa within a Jewish context.

Vine of David's new Haggadah for the Meal of Messiah introduces this practice to a wider audience in the Messianic Jewish community and creates a set order and text for this sacred meal. It also uses the same nice, clean layout and format of their Passover Haggadah.

I am interested to see if this practice will continue to catch on in the wider Messianic Jewish community, and how Vine of David's Haggadah for this special meal will be adopted.

I again applaud Vine of David for these two new contributions to the Messianic Jewish community and would greatly encourage you to get a copy of each of these Haggadot and consider using them in your home and congregation in the future.

Yasher koach to my friends over at FFOZ/Vine of David!


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