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Jewish Festivals
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Nearly 18 million people around the world are members of the Jewish religion, which is called Judaism. They believe there is only one God, that the son of God has not yet descended from Heaven, and that the Jewish people have been specially chosen to bring God's word to the world. In Israel, the ancient homeland of the Jewish people, eight out of ten people believe in Judaism. Two of the most important and solemn Jewish festivals are Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur, when people pray to be forgiven for their sins.
A lamb bone is placed on the table. The night before they fled from Egypt, the Jews marked their porches with lamb's blood. Scriptures tell how that night, the angel of death brought a plague to the Egyptians, but 'passed over' the Jewish houses.
Parsley is dipped in salty water, a reminder of the way in which God parted the waters of the Red Sea so that the Jews could flee from Egypt.
Matzah is a kind of bread made with dough that has not risen. When the Jews fled from Egypt, they did not have time to finish their baking properly.
An egg is a symbol of spring, of new life and hope.
Bitter herbs, onions, or horseradish make tears come to the eyes, recalling the suffering of the slaves.
Charoset, a paste of apples, dates, and nuts, is a reminder of the mortar of the buildings on which the Jews were forced to work in Egypt.
Wine is drunk as a sign of joy at their release from slavery.
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Book:
Festivals
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Section:
Festivals
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Chapter:
Jewish
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