Jewish Easter

JSLTIGER · 03-19-07, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Avon Lady

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kruger

I have some relatives in the States, and they are jewish. I just want to know when I should call them...and wish them all the best, stuff like this.

Sunday, April 1, or Monday before sundown. Even the week before is just fine. We're already wishing people here a happy holiday.

Do it right and show off a bit. Wish them a "Chag Sah'mei'ach" (Hebrew, the 2 "ch" sounds are gutteral) or if that's too difficult to pronounce, say "Good Yom Tov" (Yiddish/Hebrew) - all meaning "happy holiday".

Quote:

Originally Posted by joea

In the Eastern Orthodox churches, Easter is referred to as Pascha.

Pascha is Aramaic for Pesach which is Hebrew for Passover in English. Origin:

Quote:

"I will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and I will smite every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and upon all the gods of Egypt will I wreak judgments I, the Lord.

And the blood will be for you for a sign upon the houses where you will be, and I will see the blood and pass over <U'Pasachti> you, and there will be no plague to destroy [you] when I smite the [people of the] land of Egypt."
- Exodus 12:12-13

To the first part of this, most calendars have the date for Passover (and other Jewish holidays on them. If you call the day before you see them, you should be set.

As for the second part, the reason for the similarity in the name and timing between Easter and Passover probably has to do with the fact that Jesus' Last Supper was actually a Passover Seder (the festive meal held on the first and second nights of the holiday [except in Israel, where it's only held on the first night]).

P.S. @ Avon Lady: I know its a little early for this yet, but from someone in the Diaspora:
!לשנה הבאה בירושלים