Originally published at crisis magazine
Passover this year begins at sundown on April 12, the eve of Palm Sunday. In preparation, I’ve been purging the leaven from my life (Lent), perusing Passover recipes, and carrying out the spring cleaning commanded in the Book of Exodus. My Jewish side comes out this time of year.
In truth, I am Jewish all year long since Christ grafted me onto the root stock of His chosen people at my baptism; but Passover is special. The longest-continuously-celebrated feast in human history, it began some 3,300 years ago, on the eve of the Hebrew’s flight from slavery to freedom, and its celebration continues to the present day.
Jews under the old covenant are bound by Yahweh’s command in Exodus 12: “You shall observe this rite as an ordinance for you and your sons forever.” But they can’t do so, since the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70, making the requisite animal sacrifice impossible. Since then, Jewish families have observed a likeness of Passover. Like Protestants practicing the Lord’s Supper, it’s a symbol—because the reality God commanded in perpetuity resides elsewhere.
Orthodox. Faithful. Free.
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The perpetual Passover feast only makes
