Jewish Passover commemorates the night when Israelites were freed from slavery under ancient Egypt courtesy of Moses leadership.
Who are the Israelites?
Israelites are the descendants of Jacob. (The twin brother of Esau who was the Son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham). They are called Israelites because at one point Jacob's name was changed to Israel (meaning, struggling with God) because in a dream Jacob had struggled with the angel of God.
Why Jewish?
Jewish because it is a holiday celebrated by Jews. Jews are people who believe in Judaism. Judaism is a religion which got its name from Judah, one of the original twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob had twelve sons by whom the twelve tribes originated from. It looks like tribe of Judah (the forth son of Jacob to Lea, one of his two wives.) had been the best among the twelve hence the religion of the Israelite's nation took its name from his.
What were the Israelites doing in Egypt?
Jacob and his Children originally lived in Canaan (modern day Lebanon). One of Jacob's sons, Joseph, was despised by his brothers because he was Jacob's favourite plus one nigh he dreamt that all his family bowed down before him. For this reason they threw into a well (without water) and some foreigners passed by, saw him, took him out and sold them to Egypt. Joseph was doing well as a salve in Egypt until one day the Pharaohs wife fancied him and he snubbed her. The wife was insulted made a false accusation against him and he landed in prison. While in prison he interpreted a dream of his inmates, and it turned out that his interpretation came true. One day the Pharaoh had a dream which disturbed his so much. The former inmate recommended Joseph to interpret the dream. The Pharaoh was impressed and made Joseph Governor. Joseph interpretation of the Pharaoh's dream was about a forthcoming famine. When this was realised Jacob sent his sons to Egypt where Joseph and his brothers got reunited (in a very dramatic fashion). Eventually the whole family joined Joseph in Egypt where the Israelites grew in number.
Moses and the Birth of Passover
Unfortunately when the Pharaoh died he was succeeded by one who did not like so much the Israelites. He made their lives miserable. Then came Moses who was commissioned by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The Pharaoh did not let them go first but even after series of plagues brought by God to Israel. However the last . . . (more)
http://www.helium.com/tm/247059/jewish-passover-commemorates-night
No comments:
Post a Comment