Easter, Passover, Ramadan
By Carol Fisher-Linn
Caption: Easter egg events from rural areas to the White House (since 1878 – open to all by ticket. Get yours (free) early online for 2023 if you want your family to have this fun experience and a trip to DC for Easter break). Check out last week’s article in The Villager for egg related events in your area.
It’s the season of rebirth!!! Winter sports enthusiasts may be a bit forlorn to see their favorite season depart, but one needs only to look at the happy face of a bright yellow daffodil or a purple crocus, smell the fresh spring air and drive on dry roads to appreciate the arrival of this new season.
Spring can always be counted on to fling off the feather blankets, rub her eyes, jump out of her winter repose and say, C’mon, let’s do this! We respond by opening windows and gathering up mops and brooms, Pledge and dusting cloths, glass cleaner, rakes, shovels, seed packages and renewed energy for making our surroundings clean, colorful, and cheerful. The good thing about the holidays is that they give us a deadline. Face it, with the warm sun streaming on your face as you wipe away winter grime and dust from the windows it’s easy to get lured into a reverie. The important spring events remind us to look at the calendar and get moving in preparation for some very high commemorations on the liturgical calendars.
Easter is April 17 – the major festival of the Christian church year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus on the third day after the Crucifixion. Easter is a “moveable feast” depending on the date of the first full moon after the spring equinox ending the 40-day Lenten season. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry. The word Easter is said to have been derived from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring.
Passover begins April 15 (thru April 23rd). Passover reminds of the account of the Jewish people’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It is said that G-d sent Moses to the Pharaoh to instruct him to release the Jewish slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh refused. G-d sent ten plagues to afflict Pharaoh’s people. The last was a death angel who killed all the first-born sons in Egypt, including Pharaoh’s son. After this, Pharoah set them free. The Jews celebrate this release during the night of Passover each year.
Ramadan April 2 to May 1 – For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year. Many celebrate by gathering regularly in the evenings, trying to read the whole Qur’an during the month and fasting from sunrise to sunset. During this time, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset to focus on prayer, self-reflection and helping those in need. It is said that the fasting helps to bring a clearer understanding about those who are less fortunate, and a desire to lend a hand.
Eggs play a big role in each of these events, each serving a different purpose. It is believed that eggs represented fertility and birth in certain pagan traditions that pre-date Christianity. Of course, we all think of the colorful hard-boiled eggs in Easter baskets, or to be found or rolled at Easter egg events from rural areas to the White House (since 1878 – open to all by ticket. Get yours (free) early online for 2023 if you want your family to have this fun experience and a trip to DC for Easter break). Check out last week’s article in The Villager for egg related events in your area.
The family meal of the first night of Passover, called Seder, calls for symbolic foods to be eaten, one of which is beitzah – roasted egg, symbolic of life and birth – the continuing life cycle. Many will appreciate the part of this custom that requires one to drink four cups of wine throughout the Seder. Also, roasted eggs peel easier! Here’s how – place eggs on sides in small muffin pan – 325 degrees – 30 minutes. Remove and dunk in ice water until cool.
Ramadan requires strict fasting. To fortify oneself, one may choose a breakfast including eggs to get enough protein to carry them through the day. Don’t worry, they make up for all this fasting with a three-day celebration known as Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast of Fast Breaking where they exchange gifts and share meals with friends and family.
It’s a glorious season. Enjoy it to the fullest! Happy Easter! Happy Passover! Ramadan Mubarak!
Caption: The word Easter is said to have been derived from Eostre, a Germanic goddess of spring.