Passover Is Mostly for Kids By JACOB L. CHERNOFSKY (Copyright, 3967, .1T'A, Inc.) Emphasis on youth in all aspects of Jewish religious life has its origins in the Bible. The import- ance of education is underscored in the Book of Deuteronomy which states: "Ask thy father and he will declare unto thee, Thine elders and they will tell thee." During the early years of the Temple, every Israelite was re- quired to journey to Jerusalem on the three major festivals of the Hebrew calendar — Passover, Pen- tecost and Tabernacles. Any child able to walk to the Temple mount had to accompany his father on these occasions. Since the most biblical injunc- tions on educating one's children refer mainly to the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, it is not sur- prising that Passover is the holi- day that — more than any other —is keyed to children in all its rituals and observances. After all, children played a crucial role in the Passover story itself. In addition to marking 2rnstAlsuLLtimAsaksikitsAg the freedom of Israel from Best Wishes for the Passover Egyptian bondage, the holiday 0 also commemorates the deliver- ance of Israel's first-born from the judgment wrought on the first-born of the Egyptians. Thus. Complete Beauty Service the custom developed of first- UN 3-4516 18215 Livernois born sons fasting on the day be- fore Passover to mark this event. In observing this most colorful of all holidays, children enjoy an PASSOVER GREETINGS unprecedented position and every ritual is aimed at stimulating their interest and arousing their curi- osity. PHOTOGRAPHY This process begins even before • Bar Mitzvii, • Weddings • Portraits • Movies the onset of the holiday. The an- 17590 Wyoming • nual housecleaning in accordance UN 1-7018 with requirements that all hometz. or leaven, be removed from the home usually takes place well in Holiday Good Wishes advance of the holiday. Yet a ceremonial search for leaven is MR. and MRS. carried out on the night before Passover so that the children may formally participate in the cere- mony — and the process of arous- ing their curiosity begins. 19730 Che:tcifIcId Each subsequent rite is intend- Detroit, Michigon 48221 ed to elicit the question — why? As each ritual is observed, it is the duty of the father to explain Best 11 . i,lees for the I the action and relate the account i'd ., s orcr of the Exodus, the father must take into account the age and capacity of the child to understand, and explain it accordingly. The main ritual used to instruct 12943 Ncitine the child in the Passover story is Huntington 1Nocci.., Mich. the seder — the festive meal and --......-•.—•—•.—•—•.—•.—•,— recitation of the Ilagada on the yeemme OOOOO ofroessmisee% first and second nights of the holiday. Best Wishes on Passover • : •• ' In a rapid succession of rites • • serving to arouse the youthful cu- riosity, the child is exposed not merely to words alone, but to • various visual aids that teach him 8170 Liscrnois • • • • the significance of Passover. TY 7-9514 . • • In many Oriental communities. • actual dramatic sequences were LLOYD'S BEAUTE ARTS °Leo t SAM KLETTER and FAMILY MR. and MRS. PETER HELMAN • • • PARQUET FLOOR CO. . • • S••••••••••••••••••: PASSOVER GREETINGS! Happy Passover to Our Friends'and Patrons JOS. FRENKEL CO. Lou's Delicatessen Twelfth St. 8224 W. McNichols UN 1-1011 Detroit, Mich. __— Passover Greetings To our Friends and Customers GERHARDT'S MEAT MARKET LOUIS TILE COMPANY Ceramic Tile The Home of )home-Made German Style Sausages, Finest Quality Meats 9930 Wyoming 000. 0 PASSOVER GREETINGS . WA 4-1266 WE 3 - 0602 Happy Passover AL GENDEL'S COLLISION 7 Mile and Wyoming developed to illustrate portions for the Exodus story. In one of these, one of the children goes out, knocks on the door and en- ters the house with the an- nouncement that lie is the mes- senger of the redemption. In an- other community, a bowl of live fish is placed on the table dur- ing the recitation of the passage describing the crossing of the Red Sea. Even in western cotnmunities, elements of drama are used with the head of the table and others reclining on their left sides dur- ing the seder in recognition of the attitude . of freedom. The wearing of the white kittel or linen jacket, is also a dramatic touch to mark the Scriptural re- quirement for purity on the part of all those participating. The Hagada — the book com- prising the prayers and readings of the seder — was one of tl first Jewish holy works to be trans- lated in medieval times. Here, too, it was for the sake of the children. Today, as in medieval and even talmudic times, the children are encouraged to actively participate in the seder, The youngest child, if he is able, asks the Four Questions which refer to import- ant parts of the seder. The re- mainder of the Hagada reading is the father's answer, In carrying out the seder. the father is instructed by the Talmud to make special reference to the matzo. the lamb and the hitter herbs and to recite the biblical reasons for partaking of these items. Probably the most exciting part of the seder — at least from the child's point of view — is the afikoman, the piece of broken matzo that is kept hidden through- out the meal and distributed at the end. The origins of this custom are not clearly indicated and the fact that the Talmud gives a variety of explanations leaves its origin even more in doubt. As observed in. most places to- day, the father hides the afi- kmnan and any child present may steal it if he can get au-ay with it and demands a ransom for its return. This usually leads to lengthy negotiations and the sleepy parent is usually inclined to yield to any - reasonable" de- mand. Another aspect of the seder that has led to a variety of differences among the scholars of the Talmud is the handling of the matzo. The phrase in the Mishna dealing with matzo at the seder is explained in a variety of ways. One Scholar maintains that the matzo is to be eaten hastily so that the children will not fall asleep. Another says that it means the plate of matzo should be lifted to attract the at- tention of the children. A third scholar says that the matzo should be taken away from the children before they have eaten their fill since heavy eating induces sleep. All agree, however, that the matzo demonstration at the seder is for children. Passover clearly fulfills the aim of the scriptures in making chil- dren the major object of ob- servance. Most important, Passover illustrates for the younger gen- eration some important lessons in the history of the Jewish peo- ple, lessons which the Tora warns Jews not to forget but to "make them known unto they children and thy children's children." Stock Exchange -Founder Henry Gerhard Foreman, 19th Century Jewish financier, was a founder of the Chicago Stock Ex- change. Best Wishes To All Our Friends, Relatives and Customers For A Joyous Passover Happy Passover Junction-McGregor Waste Paper & Metal Co. 5650 McGregor, Detroit Sol Rosen and Family LASTAR ELECTRIC CO. 826-3705 Harvey Meyer and•Family W. 10 Mile Rd. Suite 2....tsuutsuutlitAksuutust•suLtsuustsuul-gm-R- 9-2-2-9-It Happy Passover to AU Our Friends and Customers C COIFFURES by ROBERT 19496 Livernois 862-2797 Passover Greetings CURNOW MORTGAGE CORP. 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Best Wishes for a Happy Passover BORIS GAYNES, JEWELERS 271 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham 647-6060 Best Wishes for a Happy Passover To Our Customers and Friends DRAKE PRINTING CO. 2000 W. 8 MILE RD., FERNDALE, MICH. Electrical Cont ractors 15650 Friday, April 21, 1967-53 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS JO 4-5750 LI 5-6600