BEDIKATH CHAMETA
(Searching for Leaven)
THE
commandment to abstain from leaven is found in The Book of Exodus 12:19, "...Seven
days shall there be no leaven found in your houses;". Therefore,
traditionally on the 13th day of Nisan the head of each household makes a search
for chametz (leaven). It is customary to place a few pieces of bread
in a strategic location, so that when the search is made, leaven is found.
Afterwards the following blessing is recited:
BRECHAT HANER (Kindling
of the Candles)
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Woman of House:
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Blessed are you, O lord our God! King of the universe, who
has sanctified us by your grace and has permitted us to kindle the
festival-light.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God! King of the universe, who
has kept us in life, and has preserved us, and has enabled us to reach this
season.
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Next:
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John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in
darkness, but will have the light of life."
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Master:
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As a woman has been chosen to begin The Seder (The Order
of Service) by giving light to our table, so also, The LORD chose Miriam
(Mary), who found favour with GOD (Luke 1:30), through whom The Messiah of
Israel came to give His light of Redemption and Salvation
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KIDDISH (First Cup of
Blessing)
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Master:
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In Exodus 6:6-7, we find the symbolic nature of the four
distinct cups of the fruit of the vine that we will partake of during our
Seder.
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Next:
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Ex 6:6-7 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the
Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the
Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I
will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of
judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be
your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out
from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
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Master:
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[note: fifth "I will"
continues the thought of fourth]
First Cup: of Blessing (Sanctification)
"...and I will bring you out from under the burdens
of the Egyptians"
Second Cup: of Plagues (Judgement)
"...and I will rid you out of their
bondage"
Third Cup: of Redemption (Salvation)
"...and I will redeem you with an outstretched
arm"
Fourth Cup: of Praise (Joy)
"...and I will take you to Me for a
people"
As we lift The Kiddush Cup, and remember our
deliverance from Egypt, let us together say:
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Next:
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Luke 22:14-18 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles
reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired
to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not
eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." // 17
After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it
among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine
until the kingdom of God comes."
[note: this is not the communion
cup]
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Drink The
Kiddush Cup reclining to the left.
URCHATZ (Washing of The
Hands)
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Master:
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AS we wash our hands (fingertips), you
will notice a special bowl at your table for this purpose.
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Next:
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John 13:2-5 The evening meal was being served, and the
devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he
had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal,
took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After
that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
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Next:
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As believers in The GOD of Israel through the Messiah
Jesus, we are reminded in Ephesians 5:26-27, that we are sanctified, and
cleansed with the washing of water by The Word of GOD that we may be
presented, holy and without blemish unto Himself.
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KARPAS (Dipping of The
Parsley)
THE
head of the house takes some parsley, and dips it into salt water, and
distributes the Karpas to all present.
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Master:
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Blessed art Thou, O Eternal, our GOD, Creator of the
fruits of the earth.
Let us all partake of Karpas.
What does the parsley and salt water represent?
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Next:
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The green of the parsley reminds us of the hyssop used
during Pesach. "...And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in
the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts
with the blood that is in the basin;". The LORD said in verse 23,
"...For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when
He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will
pass over the door," (Exodus 12: 22,23).
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Next:
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1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with
perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the
empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
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Next:
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The salt water is symbolical of the tears shed by the
Jewish people in the land of Egypt because of their affliction. Also, it
speaks of the Red Sea that Israel had to cross as they were being delivered
by The Almighty GOD.
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Next:
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Luke 22:42-44 "Father, if you are willing, take this
cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and
strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his
sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
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YACHUTZ (Breaking The
Middle Matzah)
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Master:
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THE Matzah Tosh (Matzah Bag) which contains three whole
Matzahs (Unleavened Bread) is lifted up to show the congregation, and
afterwards, the middle Matzah is removed, and broken in
half.
One half has been hidden for the 'Afikomen' (after
supper), while the other two and a half pieces are placed on the Seder Plate
at each table. Why do we have three Matzos for our Seder?
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Next:
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We believe that the three Matzahs represent the Unity of
The Almighty GOD, as revealed to us in The Word of GOD, that is, GOD The
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. No, not three gods, but rather, One GOD
manifested, and revealed to us in three persons. Therefore, the middle
Matzah does represent GOD the Son, Who was broken for both Jewish and
Gentile people.
"The LORD hath caused the iniquity of us all to
fall upon Him". (Isaiah 53:6b).
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Master:
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The Matzah is unleaved (show flat), it is striped (show
stripes), and it is pierced (show holes through candle). Even so, the Messiah was unleaved,
sinless. Even so, the Messiah was
striped by the Roman whip. Even so,
the Messiah was pierced, by the nails in his hands and feet, and the spear in
his side.
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MAGGID (The Story of
Passover)
THE
two and a half matzahs are lifted up for everyone to see.
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Master:
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We now recount The Passover Story that
has been recounted for nearly 3,500 years.
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Next:
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Ex 12:1-6 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, 2
"This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your
year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this
month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. 4 If
any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their
nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are.
You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each
person will eat. 5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without
defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats. 6 Take care of
them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the
community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
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Next:
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Ex 12:7-13 Then they are to take some of the blood and put
it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the
lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire,
along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat the meat
raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire — head, legs and inner
parts. 10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning,
you must burn it. 11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into
your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in
haste; it is the Lord's Passover.
12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and
strike down every firstborn — both men and animals — and I will bring
judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 The blood will be a sign
for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass
over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.
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The
Matzahs are placed back on the table, and the Second Cup of the fruit of the
vine is poured.
MA-NISHTANAH (The
Four Questions)
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Youngest Boy:
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Why is this night different from all others? On all other nights we may eat either
leavened bread or unleavened (matzah) bread?
Why on all other nights do we eat herbs of any kind; and
on this night why only bitter herbs?
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Youngest Girl:
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Why on all other nights do we not dip our herbs even once;
but on this night why do we dip them twice?
Why on all other nights do we eat our meals in any manner;
but on this night why do we sit around the table together in a reclining
position?
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Next:
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Because, we were slaves unto Pharaoh in Egypt, and the
eternal, our GOD, brought us out with His strong arm. Blessed is GOD, who
gave the children of Israel, the word of GOD (Torah).
Therefore, we recline on this night because we are
redeemed from oppression. We eat the matzah with bitter herbs to remind us of
the suffering and anguish that The LORD saved us from.
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Next:
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We recline tonight, because our Seder is being celebrated
not in haste, but in Shalom (Peace) before The Almighty. Therefore, as
believers in Y'shua our Messiah we have rest, peace and deliverance through
our LORD and His Atonement.
The wise, the wicked, the innocent, and the incapacitated
are all invited to share in Pesach. "...Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". (Matthew
11:28).
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MAKKOT (Second Cup: The
Cup of Plagues)
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Master:
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THE LORD GOD Almighty, The Rock of Israel, sent
forth Ten Plagues upon the land and the inhabitants of Egypt
according to His might and power, because of the oppression of His people,
Israel. As we recite each Plague in English and in Hebrew, let us dip our
little finger into our cup of wine and allow a drop to fall in remembrance of
GOD's faithfulness.
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All:
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BLOOD
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(DAWM)
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FROGS
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(TZ'FARDAYAH)
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VERMIN
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(KEENEM)
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FLIES
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(AWROV)
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MURRAIN
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(DEVER)
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BOILS
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(SH'CHEEN)
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HAIL
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(BAWRAWD)
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LOCUST
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(ARBEH)
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DARKNESS
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(CHOSHEH)
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DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN
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(MAKAT B'CHOROT)
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Master:
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In accordance with The Haggadah Shel Pesach (The Story Of
Passover) we remember to say:
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Next:
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The Paschal Lamb is a sacrifice of The
Passover unto our LORD and GOD.
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Next:
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The Unleavened Bread are the cakes that
we brought forth from Egypt, and commanded by our LORD to eat during these
seven days of Pesach.
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Next:
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The Bitter Herbs are eaten to remind us
that the Egyptians embittered our lives with hard bondage, in all manner of
labour.
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All
drink together of The Second Cup while reclining to the left.
RACHATZ (Washing of The
Hands)
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Master:
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LET us all wash our hands (fingertips)
before the meal.
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There
is a bowl of water for this purpose at each table.
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Master:
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Let us recite together the blessing:
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All:
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Blessed art Thou, O LORD our GOD, Ruler of the universe,
Who has made us holy by Your commandments and commanded us concerning
the washing of our hands.
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Lift
the Three Matzahs representing the Unity of GOD, as we recite
Motzi-Matzot.
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All:
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Blessed art Thou, O LORD GOD, King of the universe, Who
brings forth bread from the earth.
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Master:
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Y'shua Ha-Massiach Adonai (Our Lord Jesus Christ) taught
us to say:
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All:
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"...Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine
is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen".
(Matthew 6: 9-13).
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MAROR (Eating of The
Bitter Herbs)
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Master:
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TONIGHT, we will partake of Maror (bitter
herbs, horse radish) to bring tears to our eyes, in remembrance of the
suffering, and affliction of our people, as they were captives in
Egypt.
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Next:
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"...And the Egyptians made the Children of Israel
to serve with rigor: "...And they made their lives bitter with hard
bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field;
all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor".
(Exodus 1: 13-14)
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Master:
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Let us together break from the bottom Matzah a small piece
and dip into the Maror.
Let us together recite the following blessing:
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All:
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Blessed art Thou, O LORD our GOD, King of the universe,
Who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us concerning the
eating of bitter herbs.
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Master:
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The Maror(bitter herbs) speaks of the sorrow
and affliction imposed upon our people by Pharaoh, and the Egyptians,
likewise, we tonight will experience some of that affliction as tears begin
to swell up in our eyes.
Let us all eat together of
the Maror.
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Next:
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The bitter herbs reminded the Israelite of their slavery,
and it reminds us of our slavery to sin, and the bitterness of life when you
are living in sin and out of fellowship with God
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KOREKH (Eating of The
Charoseth)
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Master:
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WITH tears in our eyes, and the taste of Maror (bitter
herbs) still on our taste buds; we now have a change of pace, from sorrow to
sweetness.
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Next:
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To GOD be the glory, because, The LORD will always allow
us to taste of His sweetness, even while we are going through difficult
times.
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Master:
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Tonight, we will dip with a small piece of Matzah into
the Charoseth (sweet mixture). The sweet mixture is composed
of apples that are chopped up, along with some raisins, nuts and a little
wine. Charoseth is also a reminder of the brick and clay
that the Children of Israel toiled in as they made treasure cities for the
Pharoah in the Land of Mitzraim (Egypt).
Once again, we take
a small piece of Matzah to distribute, dipped in Maror (bitter herbs), but
this time, place some Charoseth (sweet mixture) with it, so
that we can all experience, not only the bitterness; but also the sweetness
of life.
Let us all partake of the Korekh.
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This
concludes the first part of the Seder.
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Master:
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Let us all join our hearts and minds, as we ask The LORD
to bless our food and time of fellowship before Him.
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SHULCHAN ORECH (THE
PASSOVER SUPPER)
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Master:
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IN Exodus 12:11, we have the Scriptural injunction, "...And
thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and
your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste; it is The LORD's
Passover".
Yes, during that Passover evening almost
3,500 years ago, the Children of Israel had to "eat it in
haste".
But now, we can recline, relax, remember, and rejoice that
Y'shua Ha-Massiach Adonai (The LORD Jesus Christ) is our Passover Lamb for
time and all eternity.
We eat the lamb which had to be from an animal with no
bones broken. So Jesus also did not have any of his bones broken.
So, enjoy our Passover Supper, as they say in
Hebrew, B'te-avon (good appetite), and may you have good
health.
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Dinner
will now be served, and afterwards, we will continue and conclude the
Seder.
EAT!!!
TZAPHUN (Eating of The
Afikomen)
THE Afikomen (the
Matzah after supper) that has been hidden is found by one of the young
children.
The Afikomen (or
- Tzafun - hidden) is broken into small pieces and distributed to all at the
Passover Seder.
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Master:
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In Luke 22:19, we read, "...And He (Y'shua) took
bread (Matzah), and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying,
This is My body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me".
Also, in The Book of John 6:35, we read, "...And Y'shua (Jesus) said
unto them, I am The Bread of Life; he that cometh to Me shall never hunger,
and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst".
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Next:
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When Y'shua (Jesus) celebrated Pesach with His disciples,
it was at that time that He instituted The LORD's Table.
In I Corinthians 11:23-24, we read, "...For I have
received of The LORD that which also I delivered unto you, that The LORD
Y'shua (Jesus) the same night in which He was betrayed took bread (matzah);
"...And when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, Take, eat; this
is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me".
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Master:
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Yes, everytime we partake of this Matzah during Pesach, it
reminds us of Y'shua's death, burial and resurrection, until He comes
again.
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Let
us all partake of Tzaphun (hidden), the Afikomen, in remembrance of
our LORD Y'shua.
HA-GEULAH (Third
Cup: The Cup of Redemption)
THE
Third Cup (Ha-Geulah) The Cup of Redemption is now poured.
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Master:
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Our Messiah shed His blood for the redemption of
sins for both Jewish and Gentile people. Whosoever will place their faith and
trust in Him shall be saved.
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Next:
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In Luke 22:17-18, we read, "...And He (Y'shua)
took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among
yourselves; "...For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the
vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come".
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Next:
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Also, in Luke 22:20, we read, "...Likewise also
the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the Brit Ha-Dashah (The New
Testament) in My blood, which is shed for you".
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Master:
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As we have partaken of the Matzah in remembrance of Y'shua
as our sin bearer, so also, we now will partake of The Cup of Wine which
shows forth His death until He returns for us.
Let us all say:
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All:
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Blessed art Thou, O Eternal, our GOD, King of the
universe, Who createst thefruit of the vine.
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All
drink The Third Cup of Wine while reclining.
THE PROPHET ELIJAH
Elijah's
cup is filled with wine and the door is opened (not immediately).
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Master:
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AT our head table you will notice a place setting to my
right, for a very special person, Elijah the Prophet.
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Next:
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The reason for this, and it's tradition, is found in The
Word of GOD, in The Book of Malachi 4:5, "...Behold, I will send you
Elijah, the Prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible Day of The
LORD;".
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Next:
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In the Brit Ha-Dashah (New Testament), we read, in The
Book of Matthew 17:10-13, "...And His disciples asked Him, saying,
Why then say the Scribes that Elijah (Elias) must first come? "...And
Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore
all things". "...But I say unto you, That Elijah is come already,
and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they desired.
Likewise shall also the Son of Man suffer of (some of) them. "...Then
the disciples understood that He spake unto them of John the Baptist".
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Next:
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Wonderfully enough, it was John the Baptist that saw Jesus
and said, "...Behold The Lamb of GOD, which taketh away the sin of
the world".
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Master:
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As Elijah's Cup is being filled this
evening, one of our youngest children will open the door.
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The
door can now be closed.
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Master:
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Other items on the Seder Plate which have not been touched
are: The Beitzah, (the roasted egg), which speaks of the
sacrificial system that no longer is in practice, because, The Temple does
not exist in Jerusalem, Israel.
Also, The Shankbone of the lamb,
reminding us that lambs are no longer sacrificed, since there is no Temple in
Israel.
Our Scriptural need for sacrifice has been met by the
shedding of blood for the remission of our sins, by our Messiah, Y'shua
Ha-Massiach Adonai (Our LORD Jesus Christ), The Lamb of GOD.
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Next:
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Heb 9:12-14 He (Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood
of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his
own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and
bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially
unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more,
then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered
himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to
death, so that we may serve the living God!
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HALLEL (Praise)
FILL
The Fourth Cup of wine, which is The Hallel (The Cup of Praise
before The LORD).
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Master:
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Let us all say:
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All
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Give thanks unto The Eternal, for
He is good,
for His mercy endureth for
ever.
Let Israel now say,
that His mercy endureth for
ever.
Let the House of Aaron now
say,
that His mercy endureth for
ever.
Let all those who fear The Eternal
now say,
that His mercy endureth for
ever.
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Master:
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This cup of Praise (Hallel) speaks of the
time when The LORD will gather all Israel unto Himself, "...And so
all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Zion The
Deliverer," (Romans 11:26).
To the believer in Y'shua Ha-Massiach, this cup represents
the hope and expectation of our Messiah's return and our gathering unto
Him.
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Lift
the cup Hallel, and say:
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All:
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Blessed art Thou, O Eternal, our GOD, King of the
universe, Who has created the fruit of the vine.
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Master:
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Let us all drink The Cup
of Praise (Hallel).
Blessed art Thou, O Eternal, our GOD, King of the
universe, have compassion on Israel Thy People, upon Jerusalem Thy City, on
Zion Thy Holy Place.
"Even so, come LORD Y'shua (Jesus)".
L'shanah habah b'rushalayim (next year in
Jerusalem).
… or better yet … NEXT YEAR IN THE NEW JERUSALEM!
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The
service of Pesach (Passover) is now complete, in its order and customs that are
bound within this beautiful Feast of The LORD.
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