Easter and Passover traditions are they Scriptural?
Origins of Easter:
The name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Goddess and God. The Venerable Bede, (672-735 CE.) a Christian scholar, first asserted in his book De Ratione Temporum that Easter was named after Eostre (a.k.a. Eastre). She was the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. Similar "Teutonic dawn goddess of fertility were known variously as Ostare, Ostara, Ostern, Eostra, Eostre, Eostur, Eastra, Eastur, Austron and Ausos." 1 Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring: "eastre." Similar Goddesses were known by other names in ancient cultures around the Mediterranean, and were celebrated in the springtime. Some were:
Aphrodite from Cyprus
Astarte, from Phoenicia
Demeter, from Mycenae
Hathor from Egypt
Ishtar from Assyria
Kali, from India
Ostara, a Norse Goddess of fertility
Easter Traditions
These have been derived primarily from Pagan traditions at Easter time:
Hot Cross Buns:
At the feast of Eostre, the Saxon fertility Goddess, an ox was sacrificed. The ox's horns became a symbol for the feast. They were carved into the ritual bread. Thus originated "hot cross buns". The word "buns" is derived from the Saxon word "boun" which means "sacred ox." Later, the symbol of a symmetrical cross was used to decorate the buns; the cross represented the moon, the heavenly body associated with the Goddess, and its four quarters.
Easter Rabbit and Eggs:
The symbols of the Norse Goddess Ostara were the hare and the egg. Both represented fertility. From these, we have inherited the customs and symbols of the Easter egg and Easter rabbit. Dyed eggs also formed part of the rituals of the Babylonian mystery religions. Eggs "were sacred to many ancient civilizations and formed an integral part of religious ceremonies in Egypt and the Orient. Dyed eggs were hung in Egyptian temples, and the egg was regarded as the emblem of regenerative life proceeding from the mouth of the great Egyptian god."
Easter Lilies:
"The so-called 'Easter lily' has long been revered by pagans of various lands as a holy symbol associated with the reproductive organs.
Easter Sunrise Service:
This custom can be traced back to the ancient Pagan custom of welcoming the sun God at the vernal equinox - when daytime is about to exceed the length of the nighttime. It was a time to "celebrate the return of life and reproduction to animal and plant life as well."
Easter Candles:
These are sometimes lit in churches on the eve of Easter Sunday. Some commentators believe that these can be directly linked to the Pagan customs of lighting bonfires at this time of year to welcome the rebirth/resurrection of the sun God.
Passover Traditions
Some Jewish traditions are also man made and some come from pagan rituals brought back with them from their time in Babylon.
The seder plate:
Most of the seder rituals were established in the Mishnah, a collection of rabbinic writings on Jewish law that was edited in 200 C.E. However, the origins of the seder plate seem to be later, perhaps from the fifth century. The first mention is found in a commentary from around 1000 C.E.
The commentary describes a basket that was placed on the table containing all the symbolic foods of the seder. Many Sephardim still use a basket today, rather than a plate.
Here are the history and customs of these symbols of Pesach.
Three Matzo
Three matzot are stacked together and separated from each other by a cloth or a compartment . The matzot are either placed under the seder plate or beside it.
These represent the two "breads" that are used for Shabbat and festivals, as well as a third "bread." This third piece is the lechem oni, the bread of affliction. Also this matzah is broken in half. One part represents Jewish suffering and Jewish past; the other part, which is hidden as the afikomen, is a symbol of redemption. (Matzo is biblical, but not all the traditions noted above)
Maror
The most commonly used bitter herbs are horseradish -- whole slices or grated -- and romaine lettuce. The bitter herbs remind us of our bitter times in Egypt. They are also cleansing foods that open the sinuses, tear ducts, and purify the blood as a springtime tonic. ( Bitter herbs are biblical )
Charoset
Charoset is perhaps the favorite food of the seder evening. It is a sweet mixture of fruits and nuts that the maror is dipped into. There is no blessing for the charoset because it is part of the maror ritual.
Charoset reminds us of the mortar that was used to hold the bricks together when we were slaves in Egypt. When sweet charoset is mixed with the bitter maror, it reminds us of the bitter-sweet nature of life.
The ingredients in the charoset are influenced by the cultures in which Jews lived. Ashkenazi charoset consists of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine. Sephardim charoset varies, but can include dates, almonds, sesame seeds, raisins, and apricots.
Z'roah
The z'roah is a roasted bone with some meat on it. It reminds us of the z'roah netuyah, the outstretched arm with which God took us out of slavery. The z'roah represents the Pesach lamb sacrifice that each family offered on Passover eve in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
After the lamb was slaughtered, the meat was roasted and eaten by the family.
Ashkenazi Jews no longer eat roasted lamb on Passover because of the loss of the Temple, but many Sephardim do eat lamb.
Some people use a roasted lamb shoulder for the z'roah on the seder plate, while others use a roasted chicken neck, so as not to confuse it with the Passover sacrifice. In vegetarian families, there is a custom to substitute a roasted beet or a "paschal yam" in place of the meat.
Baytza
The baytza is a hard-boiled, roasted egg that is used instead of another piece of meat, to remind us of the second sacrifice, the hagiga, which was offered at the Temple on each festival.
There are many thoughts as to why the egg was used. It is the food served after a funeral and is therefore a symbol of mourning for the Temple. It is round and reminds us of the wheel of fate that turns and brings us from our mourning into hope.
The egg is also a symbol of fertility, of birth and rebirth. Although we don't eat the z'roah or the baytza as sacrifices on Pesach, there are many people who serve hard-boiled eggs dipped in saltwater as a first course.
In some Sephardic homes, the roasted egg is eaten by a firstborn at the end of the meal, while standing behind a door. This gesture symbolizes gratitude that the firstborn of the Jews were saved.
Sometimes the baytza is given to an unmarried girl to eat to increase her good fortune in finding a husband. (fertility rites?) It is important to note that after hard-boiling the baytza, the ends of the egg are punctured before broiling it, so that it does not explode in the oven.
There is an old Sephardim tradition that states: The z'roah represents Moses and the quality of judgment. The baytza represents Aaron and the quality of kindness. And dag, (Dagon the fish god?) a fish, is added to the seder plate to represent Miriam and the quality of modesty.
Karpas
The karpas is a vegetable that is not bitter, usually celery, parsley or boiled potato. It is customary to use the fresh greens of spring, which can include many kinds of herbs like cilantro and chives.
The boiled potato is an Eastern European custom, due to the cold climate, where the only fresh vegetables available were the sprouting potatoes in the root cellar. Karpas is the first food eaten after the kiddush -- the blessing of the wine -- and it is a symbol of the simplicity of life.
The greens are dipped in saltwater or cider vinegar that is placed in a bowl near the seder plate. Dipping the greens into the saltwater is a reminder of the tears we have shed in our suffering. It is also a reminder of the salty ocean, mother of all life on earth.
After the blessing over the karpas vegetable has been said, it is possible to nosh on vegetables throughout the rest of the seder and allow discussions to take place without unbearable hunger. Since it is an evening of dipping, some families place fresh vegetables around the table with tasty dips like guacamole and Russian dressing.
Orange
One of the gifts of Jewish tradition is that we are able to interpret and expand the customs that have been handed down to us. One new custom that has become very popular is the addition of an orange on the seder plate.
This was the result of an encounter that scholar Susannah Heschel had while delivering a talk. A man in the audience said that women had as much place on the bimah --the raised platform in the front of sanctuary -- as an orange on the seder plate. Needless to say, Heschel's family instituted the custom of the orange that Pesach. The custom quickly gained popularity among feminists.
Seder Plate
The design of the seder plate is an opportunity for artistic imagination and beauty. Although one usually thinks of only one seder plate for the table, some people have the custom of making one for each family or for each person.
The seder plate is more than a ritual decoration. We eat from many of the foods on the plate and therefore it is functional as well as ceremonial. Many years ago, when I saw a photograph of a Yemenite seder in "A Feast of History," I had a deep realization.
The table was very simple and was covered with romaine lettuce and the symbolic foods of the seder plate. It suddenly occurred to me that the table was the plate. Since that time, I have covered our plastic tablecloth with romaine lettuce, fresh veggies and dips. Rather than worrying about fancy dishes, silver and crystal, I place a simple glass bowl and kiddush cup at each place setting.
When we enter the dining room, it feels like walking into a garden. The seder table is pregnant with greens. It becomes an edible reminder of our simple origins and the freedom of our imagination.
(Authors note: NONE of the preceeding; except where noted, is biblical. They are rabbinical and man made traditions .)
Let us stick to scripture when it comes to all of Yahs feast. Here is what scripture says about Passover:
Exodus 12
1. And the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2. This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.
3. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, (NOT just the house of Yahuda/Judah/the Jews) saying, in the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for a house:
4. And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
5. Your lamb shall be without blemish, (John 1:29 The next day John seeth Yahshua coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of YHWH, which taketh away the sin of the world. 1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Yahshua, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. A male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (NOT a ham or chicken or whatever)
6. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
7. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. (Not roasted eggs or any of the other man made traditions)
9. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
10. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
11. 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 YHWH’s passover. (not Yahshua’s memorial)
12. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am YHWH.
13. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
14. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to YHWH throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. (NOT until Yahshua dies and then it changes, NOT until Yah change His mind…)
15. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leaven from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
16. And in the first day there shall be a holy convocation, (a calling together, sacred assembly, reading) and in the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.
17. And ye shall observe the feast of unleaven; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
18. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleaven, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
19. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
20. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleaven.
21. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.(the Passover has two meanings, one is the actual sacrifice and the other is YHWH’s memorial)
22. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, 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; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
23. For YHWH will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, YHWH will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
24. And ye shall observe(to keep, guard, observe, give heed) this thing (speech, word, speaking, thing) for an ordinance (statute, ordinance, limit, something prescribed) to thee and to thy sons (son, grandson, child, member of a group) for (as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as) ever. (long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual).
Was this “ observance ” to be kept only until Yahshua died , or ‘forever’ as Yah commands?
Did Yahshua come to change his Fathers laws?
Let us see:
Mat 5:17 Think NOT that I am come to destroy (metaph. to overthrow i.e. render vain, deprive of success, bring to naught) the law (anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command), or the prophets (the OT (there was no NEW testament then) prophets, having foretold the kingdom, deeds and death, of Yahshua the Messiah): I came not to destroy, but to fulfill (i.e. to cause YAH's will (as made known in the law/Torah) to be obeyed as it should be, and Yah's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment )
(In other words Yahshua came to fulfill the prophecies of Yahs prophets and that is what he acomplished, not doing away with his Fathers laws that he followed all of his life and taught others to follow also.)
Exodus 13:3
And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand YHWH brought you out from this place: there shall be no leavened.
Leviticus 23
1. And YHWH spoke unto Moses, saying,
2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of YHWH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are MY feasts. (Not the Jews feast)
3. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, a holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of YHWH (not the Jewish Sabbath) in all your dwellings.
4. These are the feasts of YHWH, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
5. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is YHWH’s Passover.
6. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened unto YHWH: seven days ye must eat unleavened.
7. In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
8. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YHWH seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
(Here we see that these are YHWH’s feast, not the Jews feast.)
Yahshua was the Passover sacrifice, and there is now no temple so the sacrificial part of the Passover has been fulfilled.
YHWH’s Passover memorial and Feast of Unleaven
are still to be observed.
Easter and Passover are fast approaching; will you follow the traditions of men, or follow our heavenly Fathers commands? It is your choice.
