Chol Hamoed - The Intermediary Days

Jewish Treats

Most holidays in western society last for a single day, which is often extended into the weekend. And while most people are aware that Chanukah is celebrated for 8 days, many people are surprised to learn that both Sukkot and Passover are also week-long holidays. The Torah explicitly states (in Leviticus 23) that these two holidays shall be observed for seven days. (Note: The holiday[s] following Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, are independent of Sukkot.)

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Do We Still Need an Orange on the Seder Plate?

By Rabbi Stephen Lewis Fuchs for ReformJudaism.org


Passover will soon be here, and sociologists tell us that more Jews will participate in some form of Passover seder than will participate in any other religious event during the year.

The seder is the most successful pedagogical tool in Jewish history, largely because it stimulates all of our senses: sight, touch, taste, sound, and smell.

In addition to the traditional symbols, many families and communities will include an orange on their seder plates.

The most prominent myth behind this custom is that, years ago, a man confronted Professor Susannah Heschel and told her, “The idea of women rabbis makes as much sense as an orange on a seder plate."

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Must-Know Passover Terms

Key words and phrases for Passover.

By MJL Staff

Afikoman—From a Greek word meaning “dessert.” A piece of matzah that is hidden during the course of the seder, found after dinner, and eaten as dessert at the end of the seder meal.

Arba Kosot — Hebrew for “four cups.” In this case, it refers to the four cups of wine drunk at the Passover seder.

Barekh— The 12th step of the Passover seder, in which birkat hamazon, the grace after meals is said.

Beitzah — Hebrew for “egg.” A roasted or hard-boiled egg is placed on the seder plate to symbolize rebirth.

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Elijah's Favorite Seder

A great Rabbi finds out that Elijah liked best the simple Seder of a poor man who captured the meaning of Pesach in one heartfelt prayer.

by Rebecca Rubinstein for aish.com

Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev, one of the great Hassidic teachers, looked forward to Seder night every year.

One year, after the Seder was over, Rabbi Levi Yitzhak went to sleep, content. He had conducted a great Seder with all his students round the table.

He fell into a deep sleep and dreamt a strange dream.

In the dream, the prophet Elijah is talking with the angels, giving them an account of the Seder he saw in Jewish homes. He describes the kids' excitement as their eyes are glued to the cup for Elijah to see if he came to visit them this year.

One of the angels asks, "But which was the most important Seder that you visited? Was it Rabbi Levi Yitzhak's?"

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