Celebrating freedom and history

Judaism is a faith with a rich history that has led to numerous festivals and cultural holidays, but Passover holds a special place because it celebrates the very beginning of the Jewish nation.

It commemorates the Exodus, the flight of the Israelites from Egypt where they had been enslaved by the pharaoh of Egypt.

“When God revealed himself to Moses, he said ‘I want to make them a nation,’ and that was the beginning of everything,” said Chabad of West Orange County Rabbi Yisroel Zavdi.

The main celebration of the weeklong festival is a Seder, or ritual meal, which begins at sundown Saturday. Unleavened matzah bread is eaten in memory of the unrisen bread taken out of the oven too early by fleeing Israelites.

Four cups of wine are drank to represent God’s four redemptions. Surf City Synagogue Rabbi Judi Del Bourgo said 10 drops of wine are customarily poured out in mourning for the 10 plagues the Egyptians suffered.

“It’s really not appropriate for us to enjoy a full cup of joy when other lives have to be lost,” Del Bourgo said.

Bitter herbs such as horseradish are eaten to remember the suffering of slavery. Families often have large gatherings where the story of Passover is told over a long meal.

“The idea is that we’re celebrating our freedom but we are each charged with telling the story of the Exodus and the Passover,” Del Bourgo said.

Del Bourgo said most synagogues have public Seders where all are welcome to join, Jewish or not.

Passover has deeper spiritual meaning than a simple commemoration of Jewish history.

Del Bourgo said the message of exiting slavery continues over into breaking mental and spiritual bonds, or one’s own “inner Egypt,” as Zavdi put it.

Passover Seder times and locations:

Surf City Synagogue

Seder is at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. The celebration is in meeting rooms C and D, call (714) 596-2220 for reservations.

Chabad of West Orange County

Seder is at Chabad, 5052 Warner Ave., Saturday night. The meal will be catered with Jewish specialties. Seder is $36 for adults and $25 for children. For more information or to reserve a spot call (714) 846-2285 or e-mail [email protected].