What Every Christian Needs to Know About Passover: What It Means and Why It Matters

by Evan Moffic

Overview

The Passover was celebrated by Jesus and the disciples the last time they were together. Now popular speaker and writer Rabbi Evan Moffic brings an understanding to the Last Supper that will forever change how Christians celebrate Communion and prepare for Easter. Beginning with the Hebrew Bible and Jewish history, Rabbi Moffic shows how these inform the roots of Christianity as he weaves together history, theology, Jewish practice and observances. Then he provides the background and resources for Christians seeking to experience an authentic Jewish Passover Seder and integrate it into their own preparation for Easter. Rabbi Moffic brings an informed and ancient perspective, explaining and bringing to life the source of so many of our modern Christian practices. By exploring and explaining the ritual and story surrounding the Jewish Passover, Rabbi Moffic shares with Christians the wisdom and inspiration of the Hebrew Bible—what Christians call the Old Testament—in a way that increases appreciation and understanding of the culture in which Jesus lived and taught. For contemporary Christians desiring to enrich their understanding of the faith they practice today, this book offers deeper understanding of their spiritual heritage shared with Judaism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426791567
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	02/03/2015
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	503,445
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Rabbi Evan Moffic is a guide to Jewish wisdom for people of all faiths. A graduate of Stanford University, he is the spiritual leader of Congregation Solel on the North Shore of Chicago. He has been featured in The Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, The Forward, and Christianity Today, and he appears regularly as a religious commentator on Fox News and CNN. He is an active blogger/vlogger who has contributed to sites such as Beliefnet.com, Huffingtonpost.com, and MichaelHyatt.com. Through his speaking events, he brings new understanding of the Jewish heritage to churches of varied denominations and beliefs. Moffic is the author of several books including What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Jewishness of Jesus, What Every Christian Needs to Know About Passover, First the Jews, and Shalom for the Heart.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Why Passover Matters to Christians ix

1 From Slavery to Freedom: The Biblical Exodus 1

2 Rituals of Freedom: The Celebration of Passover During the Lifetime of Jesus 17

3 Around the Table: Why Passover Is a Holiday Celebrated Primarily at Home 31

4 Cleanse Your Spirit and Cleanse Your Kitchen: How to Prepare for a Passover Seder 41

5 The Seder Plate: How Ritual Objects Connect Us to One Another and to God 59

6 Blessing and Questioning: The Seder Begins 77

7 "As Though You Yourself Journeyed from Slavery to Freedom": Telling the Passover Story 97

8 Praising and Singing: The Seder Concludes 111

9 From Ancient Israel to Contemporary America: The Universal Story of Freedom 131

10 Celebrating the Passover Seder Yourself: A Haggadah for Home Use by Christians and Jews 143

Epilogue: Your Letter in the Scroll 173

A Study Guide for Individuals and Groups 175

Acknowledgments 189