Many groups (including the Jews) begin the Passover evening with the wife of the host, or a leading woman present, lighting the so-called Passover candles. The so-called commandment to light the Shabbat candles does not come from YEHOVAH God but rather it comes from the ancient rabbis.

The candle lighting ceremony is of pagan origin and represents the one of primeval antiquity who was called Ouranos, that is, “The Enlightener"� and was none other than Nimrod who was worshipped when he was deified as the Sun-god by the lighting of candles in both Egypt and Babylon.

There is no such commandment to do so found in any part of the Torah. We know that YEHOVAH God did not command us to light the candles, but rather Maimonides did, and therefore we should not give praise to Satan and Nimrod -- the so-called "enlighteners."

As the Messiah began his final meal with his disciples, he shared a cup with his disciples, and said to them: "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes" (Luke 22:17, 18). The traditional blessing asked upon the wine is the prayer:

"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine."

After the blessing is recited by all, together in unison, under the direction of the leader, each drinks from his glass of wine. (If desired, the wine may be diluted with water. In cases where wine cannot be drunk due to medicinal reasons, grape juice may be substituted instead.)

The Washing of Feet

At this point, the traditional Jewish family each washes their hands in a ceremonial bowl of water passed around. However, the night before he was crucified, the Messiah altered this custom -- and he took a towel, and basin of water, and washed his disciples' feet! Let's read it together, seeing his unique example:

"After that, he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter said unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter....So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:5-17).

It is fitting and proper that we follow the example of our Lord and Master, Yeshua the Messiah, who washed the feet of his disciples. Therefore, at this time the men present should wash one another's feet, pairing off, and the women likewise with the other women. In this way we follow this precious example set by our Messiah at his last meal before his death, when he gave final instructions to his disciples. In this way, we remember what life is all about -- taking upon us the role of a servant, even as he did (see Philippians 2:3-6).

It should be noted here that the foot-washing was not just reserved for Passover, but for every time the ecclesia meets (i.e., every Sabbath). The Messiah's last meal included the Kiddush, which was observed on every Sabbath and Holy Day. As such, ALL the practices introduced at the beginning of Yeshua's last meal -- INCLUDING FOOT-WASHING -- should be retained in the Kiddush or weekly Agape Feast.

No elaborate ritual is needed for foot-washing. A prayer for the one being washed, a word of encouragement, a spirit of humility and service -- these are all that are needed. Partners should be chosen by lot. That avoids favoritism. If there is strife in the congregation, we should make sure that the antagonists are matched up. Foot-washing greatly contributes to the healing of strained relationships. YEHOVAH's people have robbed themselves by its neglect.

The Four Questions

The Passover is meant to be a time of instruction and remembrance of our ancestors coming out of Egypt, and the suffering they went through, and the manner of their deliverance. YEHOVAH God said, "And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice _.of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households(Exodus 12: 26-27).

Traditionally, the youngest child present (or one of them) rises and asks these four questions:

1. "On all other nights we eat bread or matzah. On this night why do we eat only matzah?"

2. "On all other nights we eat all kinds of vegetables. On this night why do we eat only bitter herbs?"

3. "On all other nights we do not dip our vegetables even once. On this night why do we dip them twice?"

4. "On all other nights we eat our meals sitting or reclining. On this night why do we eat only reclining?"

We Answer the Four Questions

Why do we do these things? Because YEHOVAH God commanded: "And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and thy sons forever" (Exodus 12:24). At this point, the leader answers these four questions, explaining the meaning of the Passover symbols.

All other nights we eat bread made with leaven, but on Passover we eat only unleavened bread, or matzah. As the children of Israel fled from Egypt, they did not have time for their dough to rise. Instead, the hot desert sun baked it flat. But even more than that, leaven during the Days of Unleavened Bread represents sin. As Paul wrote:

"Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast -- as you really are. For Messiah, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed for us" (I Corinthians 5:7).

But there is more to the story than that. Flat bread, or unleavened bread, in the Bible is called the "bread of affliction." YEHOVAH says, "You shall eat no leavened bread with it [the Passover lamb, which represented Yeshua the Messiah, our Passover lamb]: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life" (Deuteronomy 16:3).

We need to make a careful distinction here: The LAMB represented the Messiah -- not the unleavened bread. It represented "affliction." The Hebrew word here is oniy and means "depression, misery, affliction, trouble." It is used also in Genesis 16:11; 31:42; 41:52. Therefore, it is a mistake to think of unleavened bread as picturing the Messiah himself. During the rest of the year, the Messiah is pictured as the "bread of life" -- not as "bread of affliction." He said, speaking of normal, raised bread, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:48). The word used there is artos, meaning leavened bread. The bread eaten at the last supper was artos, or leavened bread, which pictures the Messiah as the "bread of life" giving his life for us. In John 6:51 he said we are to eat of this bread, and we will live forever. The Messiah added, "the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world [of Israel]" (John 6:51).

However, during Passover week, it is the Lamb that pictures the Messiah! The unleavened bread eaten during the Passover dinner technically pictures the suffering, affliction, and misery that the Messiah went through for us!

Let's understand this -- by tradition, the Jews during Passover put a separate plate of three matzot wrapped together in a napkin. None of this is mentioned in the Scriptures, but nevertheless it is significant. This is called the "Afikomen," a Greek word, interestingly, which means "he that comes," or, "he comes" -- an obvious allusion to the Messiah himself, the first-born Son of YEHOVAH God, to those who believe and understand. However, the Jews who partake of this today do not know why it is called that -- it is simply, to them, "tradition"!

In the middle of the table, in a separate plate, the "Afikomen" -- three matzot wrapped together in a napkin -- is placed. This is called, interestingly, the "Unity." Some consider it representative of the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Others say it represents YEHOVAH God the Father, the Priesthood, and Israel. However, for Christian-Israelites it has a far deeper meaning than that -- the highest matzah represents YEHOVAH God the Father, and His sufferings -- for He certainly suffered and was afflicted in all the afflictions of His beloved Son -- in a sense, He agonized and suffered even more than the Messiah, even as a human father feels deep pain when he sees his only son go through excruciating pain, injustice, and unjust suffering. Then the second or middle matzah represents the suffering of Yeshua the Messiah, who was beaten, and scourged, and crucified, and stoned for our sins, and the bottom matzah represents the suffering of "Israel" -- or the "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16), meaning the Ecclesia of YEHOVAH God, those Christian-Israelites who will be the "bride of Christ" when he returns along with YEHOVAH God Himself (Revelation 19:7-9).

The Leader continues:

"If the children will cover their eyes, I will hide the Afikomen (does so). Just as I have hidden the Afikomen, so the Messiah was hidden -- placed in a tomb out of sight -- for three days. But just as the Afikomen will return to complete the Passover, so the Messiah rose from the dead to make possible our eternal salvation and redemption, and ascended into Heaven, where he now sits at the right hand of the Father."

The Leader now breaks a piece from the other half of the middle piece, and distributes the remainder to the people at the table, passing it round the table. The leader says: "Now let us share a piece of this unleavened bread of Passover." He recites the traditional prayer over bread:

"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."

The Leader then removes the middle matzah and breaks it in half! The reason the middle piece is broken is not clear in Jewish tradition. However, it beautifully pictures the Messiah, his body being "broken" for us.

The Leader then says: "Just as the middle piece of matzah is broken, the Messiah himself was afflicted and broken. One half is wrapped in a white cloth, just as Messiah's body was wrapped for burial" (wraps the Afikomen).

The Leader then points out that on all other nights, we eat all kinds of vegetables, but on Passover we eat only maror, bitter herbs. This could be lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, etc. However, usually horseradish is generally used, as it is truly a "bitter herb" and can bring tears to the eyes, symbolizing the bitterness of bondage and slavery in Egypt! It also symbolizes the bitterness and bondage we suffered while enslaved to sin, and our trials and tests and afflictions as Christians (Acts 14:22; Psalm 34:19). These verses may be quoted. He may also quote from Exodus:

"...so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields" (Exodus 1:12-14).

The Leader puts some maror between two pieces from the bottom matzah, making a "Hillel sandwich." He says something like this:

Leader: As we scoop some maror onto a piece of matzah, let us allow the bitter taste to cause us to shed tears of compassion for the sorrow that our ancestors knew thousands of years ago.

All, lifting up the matzah with the maror:

"Blessed are You, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who has set us apart by His Word, and commanded us to eat bitter herbs."

All then eat, experiencing the "bitter herbs." The horseradish, if used, will probably bring a few tears to a few eyes, reminding us of the tears and pain of slavery and bondage to sin.

Leader: On all other nights, we do not dip our vegetables even once. Tonight, we dip them twice -- we have already dipped the matzah into the bitter herbs.

Lifting the kharoset, the brown apple mixture, he says: "The children of Israel toiled to make treasure cities for Pharaoh, working in brick and clay. We remember this task in a mixture called kharoset, made from chopped apples, honey, nuts, and wine. Let us once again scoop some bitter herbs onto a small piece of matzah. But this time, before we eat, let us dip the herbs into the sweet kharoset.

All: (Lifting the matzah with the maror and kharoset)

"We dip the bitter herbs into kharoset to remind ourselves that even the most bitter of circumstances can be sweetened by the hope we have in YEHOVAH God."

All eat of the mixture of the bitter herbs and the kharoset.

Leader: On all other nights, we eat either sitting or reclining, but tonight only reclining. The first Passover was celebrated by a people enslaved -- still in bondage.

All together recite: "Once we were slaves, but now we are FREE!"

Leader: The children of Israel were instructed to eat the Passover in haste, their loins girded, their staffs in their hands, their sandals on their feet, awaiting departure from the furnace of Egypt. Today, we all recline, and freely ENJOY the Passover seder!

All: Messiah said, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

The saga of the Passover is a story of miracles, redemption, wonders, and the mighty power of YEHOVAH God displayed on the behalf of His people Israel to deliver and save them, and to overcome and punish the evil. The following story or "telling" of the Passover, and its meaning, may be done by several "readers," each chosen to read a section. Or it may be summarized by the host, and given as a shorter recitation.

Reader #1: The LORD had promised the land of Israel to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yet here were their children in Egypt. The Pharaoh who had come to power feared them, and thought, These foreigners in our midst are prospering and have grown numerous. What if they join up with our enemies, and turn against us? He decided to exert greater control and authority over them, imposing harsh and bitter tyranny over them, brutal government, making them slaves. Still, YEHOVAH God blessed His people, and they multiplied.

Reader #2: Pharaoh grew more frightened, and ordered that every male baby should be killed. Pharaoh commanded, "Every son that is born you shall cast into the river Nile." But one couple, trusting in YEHOVAH God, hid their baby boy for three months, and then put him in a basket, and let it drift with the current of the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter saw the basket, took pity on the child, and raised him as her own. She called him "Moses," meaning "drawn out." Miriam, the boy's sister, watched the basket float down the river, and saw the daughter of Pharaoh rescue it.

Reader #3: Moses grew up, and became aware of the suffering and travail of his people. One day, furious to see an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, he rose up and killed the Egyptian. Fleeing for his life, Moses left Egypt and became a shepherd in the land of Midian in Arabia.

Reader #4: The LORD, however, heard the continual groaning and cries of His people and saw their affliction. He appeared to Moses in a burning bush that didn't burn up, and when Moses drew near to investigate the phenomenon, the LORD spoke to him and commissioned him to go to Pharaoh to bring YEHOVAH's message to the king of Egypt, telling him, "Let my people go!"

The Passover Lamb

In the book Judaism, we read: "Rabban Gamaliel used to say: Whoever has not said the verses concerning the following three things at Passover has not fulfilled his obligation. 'Passover, unleavened bread and bitter herbs.' Passover,' because God passed over the houses of our ancestors in Egypt. 'Unleavened bread,' because our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt [and there was no time, when they left, for their dough to ferment]. 'Bitter herbs,' because the Egyptians embittered the lives of our ancestors in Egypt. In each generation, every individual is obliged to feel as though he or she personally came out of Egypt, for it is written, 'You shall tell your child in that day 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt' [Exodus13:8]" (p. 182).

At this point the leaders says, "We have eaten the matzah to remind us of the haste with which the children of Israel fled Egypt; we have tasted the bitter herbs to remind us of their bitter bondage and slavery." He now lifts up the shank bone of the lamb: This roasted shank bone represents the lamb whose blood marked the houses of the children of Israel, symbolizing their obedience to YEHOVAH's command. Lambs are no longer sacrificed since there is no Temple (Deuteronomy 16). However, this shank bone reminds us of the sacrificed lamb -- and of the Messiah, "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the [Israelite] world!" (John 1:29).

Then either the Leader or chosen readers recite the following relevant passages concerning the lambs:

"...on the tenth day of this month, each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.

"The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect...

"Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them in the evening -- toward the end of the day.

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of their houses where they eat the lambs" (Exodus 12:3, 5-7).

Reader #2: "That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.

"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 is haste; it is the LORD's Passover.

"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 even touch you when I strike Egypt" (Exodus 12:8, 11, 13).

Leader: We are reminded by Moses that it was the LORD Himself who redeemed the children of Israel from slavery:

"So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a might hand and an outstretched arm, and great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders" (Deuteronomy 26:8).

Leader: "On that same night I will pass through Egypt...

All: "I, and not an angel."

Leader: "and strike down every firstborn -- both men and animals -- "

All: "I, and not a seraph."

Leader: "and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt."

All: "I, and not a messenger."

Leader: "I am the LORD."

All: "I myself and none other."

Since the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and razed to the ground in 70 A.D. by the Romans, and no longer stands, lamb is not eaten at the Passover by Ashkenazi Jews. This is not surprising since the Ashkenazi Jews are descended from the Khazars and Edomites and do not have a drop of Israelite blood in their veins! However, the Sephardic Jews often do still eat the lamb during the meal. It is probable that the Ashkenazi Jews dispensed with the eating of lamb because of their deep hatred for the Messiah and the early Nazarenes, who constantly portrayed Yeshua as the "Lamb of God," which grated on the early Rabbis of that period. When the Temple was destroyed, they wanted to do away with the memory of "Yeshua," the "Lamb of God," so they stopped eating any "lamb" at Passover, and substituted the pagan "egg" as part of their seder plate instead!

However, as Christian Israelites and followers of the Messiah, the shank bone remains to remind us of the sacrificial Lamb of YEHOVAH God who died for our sins. In addition, I believe we should eat lamb with the regular Passover meal which follows the seder, as a reminder and remembrance of the Messiah, "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29, 36). Of course, we do not "sacrifice" it since there is no Temple of YEHOVAH God existing today. It is not proper to sacrifice a lamb in one's own backyard today, as YEHOVAH forbids it (Deuteronomy16:5-6).

Leader says, in effect: We who have trusted Yeshua the Messiah, believe he is the Lamb of YEHOVAH God, our Passover. Like our ancient Israelite forebears, we know it was YEHOVAH God Himself -- not an angel -- YEHOVAH God Himself, and not a seraph -- YEHOVAH God Himself, and not a messenger, who achieved final redemption from sin and death.

It is YEHOVAH God Himself, through Yeshua, the Messiah, who takes away the sin of His Israelite people.

All: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:16-17).

Dayenu -- "It Would Have Been Sufficient"!

Leader: "They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness" (Psalm 145:7).

How great is YEHOVAH's goodness to us! For each of His acts of mercy, and kindness, we declare dayenu -- "it would have been sufficient."

Leader: "If the LORD had merely rescued us,

"but had not judged the Egyptians

"If He had only destroyed their gods, but had not parted the Red Sea

If He had only drowned our enemies, but had not fed us with manna

"If He had only led us through the desert, but had not given us the Sabbath

"If He had only given us the Torah, but not the land of Israel."

Leader: But the Holy One, blessed be He, provided all of these blessings for our ancestors. And not only these, but so many more!

All: Blessed are You, O YEHOVAH God, for You have, in mercy, supplied ALL our needs. You have given us the Messiah, forgiveness for sin, life abundant and life everlasting.

"...ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD . . ." (Exodus 12:14).

After the first part of the seder is completed, at this point, the table is cleared off, an intermission occurs, and the table is re-set with the dishes and plates of the regular festive Passover dinner -- with all the creative "panache" of the wives and their creations placed on the table. We recommend when possible that the best tableware, dishware, and eating utensils be used, as this meal is to be a "celebration of life."

The Leader should lead those present in blessing the LORD, and offering thanks to YEHOVAH God for all His providence, as well as for the Passover meal. All should rejoice and eat the Passover dinner with celebration, joy, and pleasant, bounteous fellowship.

Following the supper, the Leader once again takes up with the seder service, bringing it to completion, even as the Messiah brought his last meal with his disciples to an end on that last night, when after the supper he brought forth the bread and wine, as symbols of his broken body and shed blood, for us to remember him. So we continue with the rest of the seder:

Throughout the year. when we partake of the Kiddush (the bread and wine ceremony, picturing the Messiah's body and shed blood). This dates back to the time when Melchisedek brought forth bread and wine for Abraham (Genesis 14:18). In celebrating the "kiddush" we "remember" the Lord's death till he returns (I Corinthians 11:23-25). As the apostle Paul said, "As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till he comes" (I Corinthians 11:26). This Kiddush is partaken of "often." by individual families, often at the Sabbath evening meal, or when converted guests come over for dinner. See our article Are We Neglecting the Sacred Fellowship Meal? The "kiddush" includes the use of challah or leavened bread, the traditional Jewish bread eaten on the Sabbath, which is "broken." It represents the Messiah who is the "bread of life" (John 6:48). The foot-washing ceremony is also carried out along with the Kiddush.

However, during the Passover, we do not eat of leavened bread at all. Therefore, we partake of the unleavened bread, which pictures the sufferings of Messiah, as the "bread of affliction."

The Leader explains this to the group, and then focuses on the second matzah, pointing out how it is striped, and discolored, picturing the sufferings the Messiah went through on our behalf, because he loved us so much. He recites or quotes the Scripture (or has someone else do it):

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his STRIPES we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

The Leader points out how the matzah is also pierced, just as the Messiah was pierced for our sins. Either he or another reads:

"They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son" (Zechariah 12:10).

He points out the discolorations, and reads:

"So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' And they struck Him with their hands" (John 19:1-3).

The matzah is broken and distributed, in olive size pieces, to each of the guests.

Leader: Messiah brake matzah and gave thanks to YEHOVAH God.

All: Blessed are You, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Leader: It was then that the Messiah added the words, "This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19).

Paul records the words of the Messiah:

"Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me" (I Corinthians 11:24).

Leader: Let us now eat matzah, meditating on the broken body and sufferings of the Lamb of YEHOVAH God who takes away the sin of Israel. Let us allow the taste to linger in our mouths.

"I will redeem you with an outstretched arm . . ." (Exodus 6:6).

Leader: Let us fill our cups for the second time this evening. (Lifting the cup) This is the cup of redemption, symbolizing the blood of the Passover lamb. It was the cup "after supper" with which the Messiah identified himself. The Leader quotes from Luke's gospel:

"Likewise He also took the cup after supper saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you" (Luke 22:20).

Yeshua the Messiah lifted the cup saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you" (Luke 22:20).

The gospel of Matthew tells us:

"And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:27-29).

The apostle Paul recorded the words of the Messiah:

"This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as a drink it, in remembrance of me" (I Corinthians 11:25).

Leader: The prophet Isaiah reminds us, "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save..." lsaiah 59:1).

It is our own righteousness that falls short. As it is written,

Leader: "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10).

Just as the blood of the lamb brought salvation in Egypt, so the atoning death of Yeshua the Messiah can bring salvation to all those of Israel who believe. As the apostle Paul declared,

"For when we were still without strength, Christ died for the ungodly...But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8).

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (II Corinthians 5:21).

The leader prays over the cup of wine, and then all recite together:

All: "Blessed are you, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who chose the Messiah to die for us, in our stead, so that we of Israel might be redeemed from death and live forever in your Kingdom!"

The second cup -- the Cup of Redemption -- is then drunk by all (again, grape juice may be used by those who cannot medically drink wine itself).

Traditional Jewish families set an extra cup at the table, and an extra place setting, for the prophet Elijah, who was foretold to come at the "time of the end," to herald the coming of the Messiah. This cup is for Elijah the Prophet, Eliyahu HaNavi. At this time traditionally one of the children opens the door to see if Elijah is coming. This is not necessary, but may be done if the group wishes to retain this part. To our knowledge, it was not done during the time of the Messiah but was an innovation of the Rabbis during post-Temple times.

Nevertheless, we are living in the end times, and so it is appropriate now to focus the remainder of the Passover to the future, and the coming of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah, and the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, when we will partake of the Passover with our elder brother Yeshua the Messiah himself!

The Prophet Malachi wrote, of this end time generation:

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse" (Malachi 4:5-6).

The original Elijah lived during a time of gross and great apostasy -- much like the present time. He challenged all Israel, who had gone a whoring after Baal and other false gods.

"How long will you halt between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him" (I Kings 18:21).

Elijah prayed to YEHOVAH God, atop Mount Carmel,

"Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again" (I Kings 18:37).

John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of Elijah to announce the first coming of the Messiah (11:7-12; 17:10-12; Luke 1:67-79). Even so, YEHOVAH God has promised to send another in the power and spirit of Elijah to announce the second coming of the Messiah. The first time Yeshua came to teach his disciples, to build his Ecclesia, and to give his life as a ransom for many of Israel. The second time he will return in awesome power and glory to take his great power and to reign over Israel and to help establish the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God! YEHOVAH God Himself will rule over the entire world.

Before the birth of John the Baptist, an angel of the LORD said: "And he will go on before the LORD, in the spirit and power of Elijah...to make ready a people prepared for the LORD" (Luke 1:17). Isaiah prophesied of the prophetic herald who would come:

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (Isaiah 40:3).

The second coming of the Messiah, Yeshua our Messiah, the anointed king over Israel, is drawing very close. We don't have much time, very many years, left. The days of urgency are here, and the time has come to awaken from our sleep and our reveries, and to be alert, on our toes, vigilant, and to carefully WATCH! The Messiah said of these days:

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be....Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour our Lord doth come" (Matthew 24:37-42).

Perilous times are coming, and have already begun. Great travail and tribulation is in the offing, very soon. But it is darkest just before the final Dawn of the New Age and the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God!

The Jews normally have four cups of wine during the Passover, this tradition apparently going back at least to the Middle Ages, or after the beginning of the Diaspora in 135 A.D. The second cup they drink is called the "cup of plagues," and each person dips his finger in the cup of wine ten times, reciting each of the ten plagues which YEHOVAH God used to afflict the Egyptians.

However, in the Messiah's time, at the "last supper," the gospel writer Luke mentions two cups of wine during that meal (see Luke 22:17, 20). We have no reason to believe that the second cup of the modern Jewish liturgy, the "cup of plagues," or "the cup of judgment," was part of the Passover liturgy during the time of the Messiah. Therefore, we have left it out of this Christian-Israelite Passover Haggadah! It is not necessarily wrong to have it, but we have chosen to keep as close as possible to the Passover as it was celebrated in the time of the Messiah, by the New Testament Ecclesia of YEHOVAH God.

However, since we are now celebrating the Passover in the days just prior to the SECOND COMING of the Messiah, it seems fitting and very appropriate that we should conclude with a final cup of wine -- called the "Cup of Praise," as we look forward to the soon coming of our Lord, Master, Ruler and King -- our Messiah -- and YEHOVAH God Himself.

"Three" is YEHOVAH's number of decision, finality, judgment, completion. Paul besought YEHOVAH God three times to remove his "thorn in the flesh." The Messiah prayed to YEHOVAH God three times, "Not my will but thine be done." Peter denied the Messiah three times, and later acknowledged that he loved him three times. There are three patriarchs, three divisions in Israel (Priests, Levites, and people). There are three matzot in the Passover seder.

Even so, we celebrate Passover with three cups of wine -- the cup of sanctification, the cup of redemption, and the final one, the "Cup of Praise," which we raise and drink to praise our God and His first-born Son, our Messiah Yeshua, for their great Plan and Purpose, for calling us to be a part of YEHOVAH's Work and His Church, and Praising YEHOVAH God that He will soon take to Himself His Kingdom, and reign over the entire Earth!

"For the LORD [YEHOVAH] Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air. And thus we shall always be with the LORD" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (I Corinthians 15:51-52).

Responsively, then, the Leader leads the group in reciting Psalm 136:

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

All: His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods.

All: His love endures forever. To Him who alone does great wonders,

All: His love endures forever. Who by His understanding made the heavens,

All: His love endures forever. Who spread out the earth upon the waters,

All: His love endures forever. Who made the great lights:

All: His love endures forever. The sun to govern the day,

All: His love endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night;

All: His love endures forever. To Him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt

All: His love endures forever. And brought Israel out from among them

All: His love endures forever. With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;

All: His love endures forever. To Him who divided the Red Sea asunder

All: His love endures forever. And brought Israel through the midst of it,

All: His love endures forever. But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,

All: His love endures forever. To Him who led His people through the desert,

All: His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven.

All: His love endures forever (Psalm 136:1-16, 26).

Leader: (Lifting the cup) Let us lift our cups and bless the Name of the LORD!

All: Blessed are You, O LORD our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

We continue, praying as follows, or similarly:

"Blessed are You, O LORD, our God, King of the Universe, who gives us the fruit of the vine. We bless and praise Your Name forever, for Your wonderful works to the children of Israel. We bless and praise You, for calling us, for revealing Your Truth to us, and for making us part of Your heavenly Family. We bless and praise You, Holy Father, for Your great Love. And we bless and praise You, that You will soon send Messiah Yeshua to come back and to take his Kingdom, and to reign over Israel! Blessed are You, O LORD, our God, Awesome Potentate, Royal King of Eternity, Ancient of Days, and Father of all. Amen and Amen!"

As we conclude this third and final cup of wine, then, we "Toast" the coming Kingdom, the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God, shouting together,

"TO THE KINGDOM!"

"THY KINGDOM COME -- SOON!"

And then, we may also shout, exclaim, and pray, desirous of being with each other, at the Temple, in Jerusalem, awaiting the coming of YEHOVAH God and His Messiah, longing for their millennial reign over Israel and the entire world --

"NEXT YEAR...IN JERUSALEM!"

This traditional toast, or salute, reminds us of our connection with the city of Jerusalem, the city of the Great King. It is from Jerusalem that the law of YEHOVAH God will go forth to all the earth, and all nations will come up to the holy city, to be taught of YEHOVAH God (Isaiah 2;1-4; Micah 4:1-4). The Messiah himself loves Jerusalem, and longs for the time Jerusalem will welcome him, and return to seek him in truth and love. He prayed, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37).

YEHOVAH God says of His city, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth" (Isaiah 62:6-7).

David prayed, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth -- If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy" (Psalm 137:5-6).

The last act, as the conclusion of the Passover seder, is the singing of spiritual songs and hymns, and psalms. We read of the Messiah and the disciples on that final night:

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Mark 14:26).

At this time, then, we sing hymns and spiritual songs, of joy and rejoicing, praise and glory to YEHOVAH God -- to our heart's content! Let the songs explode from our lips, and burst our hearts -- let our praises and our joy ascend before the Throne of our Father in Heaven! Let the joyous songs burst forth, in ringing notes of glory and grandeur!

At the end of the song service, then, to finally conclude the Passover Seder and Haggadah, the Leader says, to the group: "Our Passover seder is now complete. We have celebrated YEHOVAH God's Passover Feast as He has commanded us to do so -- at the very time He appointed it to be done, according to the Scriptures. May the Almighty look upon our efforts to obey Him, and His every Word, and bless us, as He has promised. May His Shekinah -- His Holy Presence -- go with us throughout the coming year -- and may He protect us from all harm and danger! (Psalm 91).

Leader: The LORD bless you, and keep you;

All: The LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you;

Leader: The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

All: And give you peace! (Numbers 6:24-26).

Let us conclude with the traditional wish that we may celebrate Passover next year in Jerusalem. (All together in a mighty chorus, exclaim:)

"NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!"

This ends the Christian-Israelite Passover Seder and Haggadah (story telling, or setting forth).

Suggested Hymns

From the Church Hymnal and other sources we recommend, among many songs one may choose from, of course, the following hymns (or a similar selection):

"Amazing Grace"

"The Holy City"

"It Is Well with My Soul"

"How Great Thou Art!"

"How Good and How Pleasant"

"El Shaddai"

"The LORD Is My Shepherd" (Psalm 23)

"Rest in the LORD" (Psalm 37)

"Come, See the Works of God" (Psalm 46)

"Mt. Zion Stands Most Beautiful" (Psalm 48)

"O Thou the Shepherd of Israel Art" (Psalm 80)

"How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings" (Psalm 84)

"How Long, Eternal, Hide Thou Away?" (Psalm 89)

"Holy, Mighty Majesty!" (Psalm 99)

"When Israel Out of Egypt Went" (Psalm 114)

"Praise Belongs to God!" (Psalm 115)

"O Give Thanks Unto Our God" (Psalm 118)

"O How Love I Thy Law!" (Psalm 120)

"Praise Ye the LORD!" (Psalm 148)

"Hallelujah! Praise God!" (Psalm 146)

"America the Beautiful!"

"Battle _.Hymn of the Republic"

"Praise Ye the LORD, the Almighty!"

This Christian Passover Haggadah is based upon the elements of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, and to some degree upon Jewish tradition where there is no conflict with the Holy Scriptures. It is based primarily upon the truths expressed in the Old Testament and the Gospel accounts of the Messiah's last meal with his disciples, a final going away meal, as a sort of "farewell dinner." Although it was held the night before the regular or normal Passover seder (since the lambs for the true Passover seder would not be killed till the following afternoon, of Nisan 14, at the very time our Savior would be killed as our Passover Lamb!), it was still a dinner which was held on Nisan 14, the "preparation day" of Passover, and thus was really the beginning of the celebration of "Passover" for the Messiah and the disciples on that final eve before his death as our Paschal offering.

Writes Alfred Edersheim, in The Temple:

"As the present Passover liturgy contains comparatively very few relics from New Testament times, so also the present arrangement of the Paschal table evidently dates from a time when sacrifices had ceased. On the other hand, however, by far the greater number of the usages observed in our own days are precisely the same as eighteen hundred years ago. A feeling, not of gratified curiosity, but of holy awe, comes over us, as thus we are able to pass back through those many centuries into the upper chamber where the Lord Jesus partook....

"The leading incidents of the feast are all vividly before us -- the handing of the 'sop dipped in the dish,' the breaking of bread,' the giving of thanks,' the distributing of the cup,' and 'the concluding hymn.' Even the exact posture at the Supper is known to us. But the words associated with those sacred memories come with a strange sound when we find in Rabbinical writings the 'Passover lamb' designated as 'His body,' or when our special attention is called to the cup known as 'the cup of blessing, which we bless;' nay, when the very term for the Passover liturgy itself, the 'Haggadah,' which means 'showing forth,' is exactly the same as that used by St. Paul in describing the service of the Lord's Supper!" (p. 231-232).

May your Passover be joyous and happy, and filled with "shalom"!

Final Instructions

The Seder Plate

The seder plate is the ceremonial setting for the first part of the service. Included are the items which will be partaken of in memorializing this Festive service. There should be one seder plate per table of ten people. Included on the seder plate should be the following items in the proportions given for each person:

The shank bone can be obtained from a local butcher. He will know what bone you desire. Remove the meat from the bone and then roast the bone until dry and brown. The shank bone is required for only the head table, but would be good to have on each seder plate. Place the items on the seder plate as follows:

This item is very important for the Passover seder service. There should be one "Unity" for each table. The Unity consists of:

1 large dinner-sized paper plate

2 dinner-sized napkins

3 matzos

The three whole matzos are placed inside the dinner napkin so that one matzo is inside each section of the napkin. The second napkin is placed on top of the Unity.

During the service, the host, or one he selects, will remove the center matzo, break it in half (two parts), "bury" one half in the extra napkin to be "found" ("resurrected") later. This ceremony is most important, as is described in the Passover Seder Haggadah.

Following the ceremonial Passover seder, the table is cleared, and then the principle meal is served -- the Feast meal itself. We recommend you include the following items:

Appetizers: Chopped liver, gefilte fish (if you wish) and kosher pickle spears (these may be served on one large plate). Chicken broth with Matzo Balls

Main Course: LAMB -- other meat dishes may include chicken, beef, turkey, quail, fish, etc. We recommend that LAMB be eaten, as it is a clear and obvious reminder of Yeshua, our "PASSOVER LAMB," who was sacrificed for us! It appears the real reason the early rabbis did away with the lamb altogether was because they did not want to be reminded of the one whom they regarded as a heretic, upstart, and deceiver of the people -- Yeshua the Messiah, the lamb of YEHOVAH God. Read about it in the Talmud!

Modern Jews do not use any dairy products at Passover -- no cream, milk, butter, or the like. This, however, is one of those "traditions of the elders" which the Messiah thoroughly condemned (see Matthew 15; Mark 7). Serving meat and dairy products at the same meal is NOT wrong, but the practice is based on a misinterpretation of the Scriptures, "Boil not a kid in its mother's milk." This could well be a prohibition against killing and eating a lamb before it has finished suckling or nursing. Or, it could be a prohibition against cooking a lamb in its own mother's milk, which would be a repulsive and cruel thing to do, symbolically as well as literally.

Rather than simply taking this Scripture literally, the Rabbis of the second Temple period added many laws to the Scriptures, putting an additional "fence" around Biblical laws, to keep the people from disobeying them. They extended a "fence" around all dairy products and forbad them to be eaten together with meat dishes. There is absolutely no evidence that the Messiah followed this "tradition of men" (see Matthew 15; Mark 7).

However, we read in the book of Genesis, that both Abraham -- the father of all Israel -- and YEHOVAH God Himself, ate meat and dairy products together, at the same meal, at the same time. Notice!

"Then the LORD [YEHOVAH God] appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. So he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the ground, and said, 'My LORD, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may passby, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.' They said, 'Do as you have said.' So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, 'Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.' And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it. So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate" (Genesis 18: 1-8, NKJV).

It is clearly all right to eat butter, milk, cheese, and dairy products at Passover. Interestingly, this meal Abraham prepared for the heavenly visitors was right about the time of Passover!

Passover Dinner Serving Schedule

The first part of the Passover meal or seder is ceremonial and the initial place setting should have all the necessary items in place for this purpose. Following this vital part of the Passover, the serving of the dinner begins with asking grace or a blessing. Then follow the following order:

1. Bring on immediately the appetizers and matzo ball soup.

2. Prepare plates for main course.

3. Remove soup bowls and seder plates.

4. Serve main course.

5. Serve coffee and tea.

6. Remove plates.

7. Serve desserts.

After the dinner, continue with the remainder of the ceremonial seder.

Suggested Passover Recipes

Kharoset

1 cup chopped apples (without skin)
1/4 cup chopped nuts (preferably walnuts)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons grape juice or red wine
Grated rind of 1/2 lemon

Mix all ingredients. Add enough grape juice or wine to blend the mixture. Approximate yield: 20 servings (1 tablespoon per person). This mixture is so tasty you may want to make a little more.

Pour 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet. Add the onions. Saute for approximately 10 minutes, then remove onions and set aside. Pour more oil in the same skillet as needed. Saute the liver in it for 10 minutes or until done, stirring occasionally. Chop (meat grinder is best) onions, liver, and eggs very fine. Add the salt and pepper and mix well. Chill, form into balls (1 inch) or you may wish to serve one large portion per table. Serve cold. Serves 20.

It is best to buy the Gefilte fish from a local supermarket. The hors d'oeuvre size works best. If you cannot find this size, the large size may be cut into one inch pieces. Don't plan on more than one or two small pieces per person as people have to acquire a taste for this. It tastes especially good with matzo and horseradish.

Cut chicken into pieces. Place in large soup kettle with cold water. Cover and bring slowly to a boil. Add the seasonings and vegetables. Simmer gently for about 5 hours. Strain soup and chill overnight. Remove the cake of fat. (This fat can be used in the other recipes, such as the stuffing, matzo balls, etc.). Reheat and add matzo balls for serving. This makes about two quarts of soup (8 servings). Figure 1 cup per serving. (This recipe can be extended by adding canned chicken broth.)

Mix fat and eggs together. Add matzo meal and salt, which were first mixed together. When well blended, add soup stock or water. Cover mixing bowl and place in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes, then form into 1 1/2 inch balls. Using a two or three quart pot, bring salted water to a brisk boil. Reduce flame and into the slightly bubbling water drop balls formed from above mixture. Cover pot and cook 30-40 minutes. This should be done right away as matzo balls have a tendency to become very tough if mishandled. For convenience, the matzo balls may be made a day or several hours ahead of time. When preparing to serve, have soup at room temperature, or warmer, and remove matzo balls from water to soup pot, allow soup to simmer for about 5 minutes. Makes 8 balls.

For each 5 pounds of poultry, place the following in a deep roaster with a cover. (We recommend using chicken quarters.)

Rub each piece of chicken with a mixture of the following:

Place the pieces of chicken on the vegetables and roast uncovered for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F. Turn the chicken over and roast 20 minutes longer. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F and add 3/4 cup boiling water for each 5 pounds. Cover tightly and continue cooking until tender (approximately 1 1/2 hours).

LAMB, Beef, or other meat dishes (all must be "clean" meats, of course -- no pork, shrimp, crab, lobster, or other "unclean" animal flesh* -- see Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14) -- you may experiment with whatever dishes you desire in this respect. Rack of lamb is good, or lamb chops, Prime rib of beef, steak, etc. Both of these were sacrificed to YEHOVAH God during the Passover season and Feast of Unleavened Bread. It would certainly not be wrong to eat lamb or beef, therefore, as part of your Passover dinner.

For this recipe, the large old carrots are better than the young ones. Frozen carrots also work well (especially frozen baby carrots). Drain the cooked carrots. While they are still hot, add remaining ingredients. Stir constantly over as low heat as possible for 5 minutes, until each piece of carrot is coated with sauce. This serves 4.

These are the large, richly flavored varieties, of which hubbard is the most widely used. Cut into 2 inch squares, remove seeds and string. Place the squares, unpeeled, on a greased baking sheet. Put 1/2 teaspoon of chicken fat on each square, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and bake at 350 degrees F about 1 hour, or until tender. Allow 1 square for each portion.

Break up the matzos and dampen in the soup stock. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes. Beat the eggs and mix with remaining ingredients. Add this mixture to the matzo and mix well. Place in oiled roasting pans and bake covered in 350 degrees F oven until done. (Length of cooking depends on quantity). Be careful not to have the stuffing too thin or the time too long so as to cause it to become dry. Figure one matzo per person.

Beat egg yolks and water. Add sugar gradually and beat until very stiff. Add lemon juice and rind. Sift matzo cake meal, salt and potato starch together and add gradually to egg yolks while beating very smooth. Beat egg white until stiff. Fold into batter gently and thoroughly. Turn into 10 inch tube pan. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Invert pan and let thoroughly cool before removing cake from pan.

Kosher cake mixes may be used or already baked kosher sponge cakes may be purchased. A one pound box of cake meal has enough for about 4 1/2 cakes. A 12 ounce box of potato starch has enough for about 2 2/3 cakes.

(a) 1 cup raspberry jam per cake. Warm the jam and spoon over each piece.

(b) Danish junket or dessert mix (comes in packages something like gelatin).

(c) Canned fruit (thicken the juice with potato starch).

(d) Fresh fruit such as strawberries with sugar.

(e) Cut-up dried fruit simmered and thickened with potato starch.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet and fill small howl with cold water. Heat chicken fat in small skillet and saute onions until golden brown. Set aside. Bring oil and water to boil in 2-quart saucepan. Remove from heat and add matzo meal and salt all at once. Mix well with wooden spoon. Place in work bowl of food processor. Add 2 eggs and pulse until well mixed.

Remove to mixing bowl. Shape into 2-inch rolls and place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet, dipping your hands in water to avoid sticking. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for several minutes before removing from cookie sheet. Can be split and used for sandwiches. Makes 12 servings.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Place farfel and melted margarine in baking dish and toss lightly with fork. In separate bowl or in food processor, beat tomatoes, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper until smooth. Transfer to saucepan and bring to boil. Remove from heat and pour over farfel. Bake uncovered for about 45 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

Remove from heat; stir in potatoes and chicken broth. Meanwhile, combine matzo meal with seasonings and stir into vegetable mixture along with the egg, currants and almonds.

Makes enough stuffing for one 4 1/2 pound chicken, or four cornish game hens. Reheat any leftover stuffing in a separate, covered dish. Do not stuff birds until just before roasting.

Note: To roast cornish game hens: preheat oven to 450, place the stuffed birds, uncovered into the oven and immediately reduce heat to 350. Baste breasts frequently, cooking for about 45 minutes or until juices run clear when thigh is pierced with fork. To roast chicken: preheat oven to 450, place stuffed and trussed bird in oven, reduce heat at once to 350, cook about 20 minutes per pound or until juices run clear when thigh is pierced with fork. Makes 4 servings.

Separate eggs, beat yolks until light; beat in margarine until blended. Stir in cake meal, 1/4 cup honey and peel. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Slowly pour remaining honey in a thin stream into egg whites while beating.

Fold egg white mixture into yolk mixture until blended. Stir in almonds. Pour half of batter into each of two 3 x 4 x 2 1/2-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove loaves from pans; cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place cut-side up on greased baking sheet. Return to oven and bake at 250 for 25 to 30 minutes for until lightly browned.

Cool completely and serve or store in airtight container. Makes about 32 cookies.

Since honey is able to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, Honey Mandelbrot may require crisping after a few days of storage. Bake at 250 about 20 minutes, cool and serve.

Sephardic Kharoset

1. Please remember that the seder plates and matzo must be on the tables when the people arrive. The dinner itself, however, is not served until after the ceremonial part of the Passover, which takes 45-60 minutes, more or less.

2. It may be wise to try recipes ahead of time to familiarize yourself with them and the serving size best for your own individual situation.

3. Much of the food can be prepared ahead of time and frozen, starting a week or more before the seder (once you have an idea of the number to be served).

4. Making the soup ahead of time and freezing it is ideal. as then the chicken fat is available for use in other recipes. Also, several smaller quantities are sometimes easier to handle than one large one.

5. The cakes can be baked one at a time as time permits and then frozen until the day of the seder.

6. The chopped liver is best made a day ahead, and the matzo balls are less prone to mistakes causing toughness if made the day before.

7. The matzo for the stuffing can be broken up ahead of time, the kharoset also.

8. This way, the cook(s) have only the vegetable to cook, the chicken or beef to roast, the stuffing to mix and bake, and the cake topping to prepare on the day of the seder, besides the actual last minute preparation and serving of the dinner.