The Passover Seder

The Victorian and Tasmanian Synod Working Group on Christian-Jewish Relations is committed to helping Uniting Church members become more knowledgeable about the Jewishness of Jesus, and the Jewish society in which he lived. The Working Group is also aware of the increasing prevalence of Christian 're-enactments' of a Jewish Passover Seder meal as part of Holy Week observances in our churches. The justification usually given for this is that the Jewish Passover Seder is also a part of Christian heritage through the Hebrew Scriptures, and it is the precursor of the Christian Eucharist. There is, however, a very important distinction between the biblical descriptions of the meal eaten by the Hebrew people (the ancient Passover meal) as they prepared to leave Egypt (Exodus 12; Lev. 23; Num. 9; Deut. 16), and the Passover Seder ritual meal celebrated by Rabbinic Judaism. In scripture, the only elements mentioned as ingredients for the Passover meal are unleavened bread, bitter herbs and lamb. A sprig of hyssop is to be used to wipe the lamb's blood on the doorposts as a sign to the angel of death that the house is occupied by Hebrews.

On the other hand, the ritual of the Jewish Passover Seder meal (according to the ritual called the 'Haggadah') was developed by the Jewish people following the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. It has become one of the most holy rituals of Judaism, as it celebrates the God who redeemed Israel from Egypt, and continues to redeem and sustain its life. As such, the Passover meal is to be respected as a sacred ritual of the Jewish people, and not 'christianized', or appropriated as Christians see fit. While two elements of the Seder meal (bread and wine) appear in the Christian Eucharist as per the Last Supper of the New Testament, the eucharistic symbolism is of a totally different order, and ought not to be confused with the symbolism of the Jewish Passover Seder. It is very important for Christians to be clear about these two things:

1. The Passover Seder meal is not itself scriptural. It was developed as a universal means whereby the Jewish people could celebrate the redeeming God who rescued the Israelites from Egypt. After the demise of the Temple and its sacrificial system, the Passover Seder could be celebrated in Jewish homes anywhere in the world.

2. This development took place from the 7th century CE, long after the death of Jesus, who lived during the time of the Temple. Jesus never celebrated a Passover Seder meal. He and his disciples celebrated the ancient Passover Meal - with a lamb sacrificed in the Temple.

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It is crystal clear that Christian 'Passover Seder re-enactments' are a cause of grave disquiet and offence among the Jewish community. While the growing tendency for Christians to educate themselves regarding the Jewish roots of Christianity is to be encouraged, it must be done only with the utmost respect for the holy rituals of Judaism. Leaders of the Jewish community in Melbourne have indicated they would be more than willing to send representatives to speak to congregations of our church about Jewish festivals and rituals (including the Passover Seder), and answer any questions they may have. From time to time synagogues invite Christians to a ‘Model Seder’, in which the Rabbi explains the Seder meal ritual to visitors, as they eat the Seder meal with their Jewish hosts.

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To engage a speaker or receive information, feel free to contact the Synod Working Group through its Chairperson, the Rev Dr Lorraine Parkinson, email parki@netspace.net.au