Passover and Easter

Being in a "mixed-religion" relationship makes for some interesting challenges, but, also serves as an opportunity for learning about and understanding our differences. In going through this process, we also find ourselves seeking out similarities.

With my celebration of Passover and Dave's Easter holiday, I set about to find those likenesses.

Here is some of what I learned:

Deirdre Miller states:

"Jews celebrate Passover for their freedom through God's assistance in the flight from Egypt (Exodus) and the miracles they experienced throughout that time. Christians celebrate Easter for the freedom from their sins (Christ's crucifixion), the knowledge they gained that life is eternal (Christ's Resurrection), and that miracles are not only possible, but continue even 2,005 years later. The Easter message is one of hope and victory over death, for it recalls that Christ rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter symbolizes the love of God and the promise that the souls of humankind are immortal."

and, from Rabbi David Gelfand, the following similarities:

(1) Both are festivals of redemption. Passover commemorates the redemption of a people; Easter commemorates the redemption of humanity and the resurrection of an individual. (2) Both are associated with great personalities-Moses, leader of the Exodus and teacher of the Law; Jesus, who for Christians fulfilled the law. (3) Both festivals contain elements of the miraculous. Passover involved the plagues and the crossing of the Sea of Reeds; Easter, the miracle of resurrection. (4) Both festivals emphasize freedom-Passover, freedom from slavery in all its forms; Easter, freedom for the individual from the bondage of sin and death. (5) Both festivals bring hope to humanity-Easter, through the death and resurrection of Jesus; Passover, through the triumph of a people over slavery and their emergence into freedom.

So, my fellow bloggers, whatever you are celebrating this Spring...I wish you the happiest of holidays.