THE MASS:

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THE MASS Its Ancient Roots
Part Ic Eating the Holy Meal Passover (Seder)
-- Food Stuffs and Ritual
1234 BC
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Jewish Forefathers Footsteps
Meaning and Remembrance At the Seder, every
person should see himself or herself as if they
were going out of Egypt. Beginning with the
Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, recount
the Jewish peoples descent into Egypt and recall
their suffering and persecution. Walk with
them as God sends the Ten Plagues to punish
Pharaoh and his nation, and follow along as they
leave Egypt and cross the Sea of Reeds.
Witness the miraculous hand of God as the
waters part to allow the Israelites to pass,
then return to inundate the Egyptian legions.
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Food Stuffs Needed and Set Up for the
Passover Seder A broiled yearling lamb,
unleavened bread loaves, parsley, horse radish,
haroset, eggs, red wine. A cup of salt water.
Each person should have a glass and a plate with
parsley, haroset, and some horse radish. On
the main common platter 1. Three loaves of
unleavened bread (pita bread). 2. Bitter herbs
(or horse radish). 3. The shank of a lamb. 4. A
roasted egg 5. Haroset (applesauce with nuts,
cinnamon, honey and red wine). 6. Parsley
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Chazeres bitter herb horseradish
Beitzah and egg, broiled over fire a food eaten
by mourners
ZRoah cooked shankbone in remembrance of the
Paschal Lamb
Karpas non-bitter herb dip the Karpas in the
salt water
Charoses mixture of apples, filberts, ginger,
and red wine liquified
Kearah (The Seder Plate)
Morror bitter life ancestors experienced in Egypt
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• The Four
  Cups of Wine
• The Torah uses four expressions of freedom or
  deliverance in connection with liberation from
  Egypt (see Exodus 66-7).
• The Children of Israel had four great merits even
  while in exile
• They did not change their Hebrew names
• (2) They continued to speak their own language,
  Hebrew
• (3) They remained highly moral
• They remained loyal to one another.
• Wine is used because it is a symbol of joy and
  happiness

Reclining When drinking the four cups and eating
the unleavened bread lean on left side to
accentuate the fact that Jews are free people.
In ancient times only free people had the
luxury of reclining while eating.
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The FIRST CUP is poured. Kadesh the recitation
of Kiddush--a prayer of blessing Drink the
entire cup. Urchatz wash hands. Karpas eat a
piece of non bitter vegetable dipped in
salt-water. Yachatz break the middle
unleavened loaf. The SECOND CUP is poured and
drunk. The unleavened bread is eaten A prayer
of thanksgiving to God. Maggid the recitation
of the Haggada. CLOSE with the singing of the
first part of Hallel (Ps. 112 1131-8)
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Kadesh - the
Benediction The Seder service begins with the
recitation of Kiddush, proclaiming the holiness
of the holiday. This is done over a cup of wine,
the first of the four cups drunk (while
reclining) at the Seder. Blessed be You, O Lord
our God, King of the universe, who
have sanctified us by Your commandments, and have
taken pleasure in us, and in love and favor have
given us Your holy Sabbath as an inheritance,
even the Sabbath of the remembrance of good a
memorial of the creation, the first of the holy
convocations, in remembrance of the Exodus from
Egypt, to make known that it is us whom You have
chosen and us You have sanctified above all the
peoples and Your holy Sabbaths have You given us
as an inheritance in love and favor. Blessed be
You, O Lord, from the midst of the Sabbath, Who
gives food to all flesh, for his mercy endures
for ever. (Psalm 13625). Blessed be You, O
Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings
forth bread from the earth. Amen.
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Psalms 112 Hallelujah. I will praise the LORD
with all my heart in the assembled congregation
of the upright. Great are the works of the
LORD, to be treasured for all their delights.
Majestic and glorious is your work, your wise
design endures forever. You won renown for your
wondrous deeds gracious and merciful is the
LORD. You gave food to those who fear you,
mindful of your covenant forever. You showed
powerful deeds to your people, giving them the
lands of the nations. The works of your hands
are right and true, reliable all your decrees,
Established forever and ever, to be observed
with loyalty and care. You sent deliverance to
your people, ratified your covenant forever holy
and awesome is your name. The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom prudent are all who
live by it. Your praise endures forever.
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Psalms 113 Hallelujah! Happy are those who fear
the LORD, who greatly delight in God's commands.
Their descendants shall be mighty in the land,
generation upright and blessed. Wealth and
riches shall be in their homes their prosperity
shall endure forever. They shine through the
darkness, a light for the upright they are
gracious, merciful, and just. All goes well for
those gracious in lending, who conduct their
affairs with justice. They shall never be
shaken the just shall be remembered forever.
They shall not fear an ill report their hearts
are steadfast, trusting the LORD. Their hearts
are tranquil, without fear, till at last they
look down on their foes. Lavishly they give to
the poor their prosperity shall endure forever
their horn shall be exalted in honor. The wicked
shall be angry to see this they will gnash their
teeth and waste away the desires of the wicked
come to nothing.
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Urchatz Purification Wash hands in the usual,
ritually-prescribed manner before a meal, but
without the customary blessing.
Karpas
the Appetizer The next step in the Seder,
Karpas, requires dipping food into water, which
in turn mandates, according to Jewish law, that
either the food be eaten with a utensil or that
one's hands be purified by washing. A small
piece of onion or boiled potato is dipped into
salt water and eaten (after reciting the blessing
over vegetables). Dipping the Karpas in salt
water is an act of pleasure and freedom. The
Hebrew word "Karpas," when read backwards,
alludes to the backbreaking labor performed by
the 600,000 Jews in Egypt. Samech has the
numerical equivalent of 60 (60 times 10,000),
while the last three Hebrew letters spell
"perech," hard work. The salt water represents
the tears of our ancestors in Egypt
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Yachatz -
Breaking the Matzah The middle Matzah on the
Seder plate is broken in two. The larger part is
put aside for later use. This unusual action not
only attracts the child's attention once again,
but also recalls God's splitting of the Sea of
Reeds to allow the Children of Israel to cross on
dry land. The smaller part of the middle Matzah
is returned to the Seder plate. This broken
middle Matzah symbolizes humility and will be
eaten later as the "bread of poverty.
Maggid -
the Haggadah The Seder tray is moved aside, a
second cup of wine is poured, and the child, who
by now is bursting with curiosity, asks the
time-honored question Why is this night
different from all other nights?" The questioning
triggers one of the most significant memorial of
Passover, which is the highlight of the Seder
ceremony the Haggadah, telling the story of the
Exodus from Egypt. The answer includes a brief
review of history, a description of the suffering
imposed upon the Israelites, a listing of the
plagues visited on the Egyptians, and an
enumeration of the miracles performed by the
Almighty for the redemption of His people.
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Rachtzak washing of the hands a second
time. Motze the recitation of the blessing.
Matzak the second loaf is broken eating
the unleavened loaf Morror eating the bitter
herbs. Korech eating a sandwich of unleavened
loaf and bitter herbs. Shulchan Oruch the
Paschal Lamb is eaten eating the festive meal,
with more wine if desired The MEAL is ended.
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Rochtzah - Washing
Before the Meal After concluding the first part
of the Haggadah by drinking (while reclining) the
second cup of wine, the hands are washed again,
this time with the customary blessings, as is
usually done before eating bread.

Motzie Matzah Eat the matzah. Taking hold of the
three Matzot (with the broken one in between the
two whole ones), recite the customary blessing
before bread. Then, letting the bottom Matzah
drop back onto the plate, and holding the top
whole Matzah with the broken middle one, recite
the special blessing . Then break at least one
ounce from each Matzah and eat the two pieces
together, while reclining.
Korech
- the Sandwich In keeping with the custom
instituted by Hillel, the great Talmudic Rabbi, a
sandwich of Matzah and Maror is eaten. Break off
two pieces of the bottom Matzah, which together
should be at least one ounce. Again, take some
bitter herbs and dip them in the haroset. Place
this between the two pieces of Matzah, say "Kein
asah Hillel... and eat the sandwich while
reclining.
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Shulchan
Orech - the Feast The holiday meal is now
served. Begin the meal with a hardboiled egg
dipped into salt water. A Rabbi was once asked
why Jews eat eggs on Passover. "Because eggs
symbolize the Jew," the Rabbi answered. "The more
an egg is burned or boiled, the harder it gets."
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The THIRD CUP, a common vessel, is taken
(Chalice of Benediction) Bayrech the
recitation of grace after the Meal the real
Table Prayer Hallel the singing of Hallel
psalms of praise (Ps 1139-11729 Ps.
136). The FOURTH CUP was poured and
drunk. Nirtzak the prayer that God accepts our
service Dismissal and departure.
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Barech - Blessings
After the Meal A common third cup of wine is
filled and grace is recited. After the grace the
blessing over that wine is recited and the common
cup is passed around drunk while reclining. The
door to the room is opened and the passage which
symbolizes an invitation to the Prophet Elijah is
recited, the harbinger of the coming of Moshiach,
our righteous Messiah.
Hallel
- Songs of Praise halleluyah (halleluiah) from
Hebrew hallalu-yah praise Yahweh, from
hallalu, pl. hallel to praise also song of
praise, from hillel he praised. yah
shortened form of Yahweh, the name of God. At
this point, having recognized the Almighty, and
His unique guidance of the Jewish people, go
still further and sing His praises as Lord of the
entire universe. After reciting the Hallel,
recite the blessing over wine and drink the
fourth cup, reclining.
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Psalms 114 When Israel came forth from Egypt,
the house of Jacob from an alien people, Judah
became God's holy place, Israel, God's domain.
The sea beheld and fled the Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams the hills, like
lambs of the flock. Why was it, sea, that you
fled? Jordan, that you turned back? You
mountains, that you skipped like rams? You
hills, like lambs of the flock? Tremble, earth,
before the Lord, before the God of Jacob, Who
turned rock into pools of water, stone into
flowing springs.
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Psalms 115 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to
your name give glory because of your
faithfulness and love. Why should the nations
say, "Where is their God? Our God is in heaven
whatever God wills is done. Their idols are
silver and gold, the work of human hands. They
have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not
see. They have ears but do not hear, noses but
do not smell. They have hands but do not feel,
feet but do not walk, and no sound rises from
their throats. Their makers shall be like them,
all who trust in them. The house of Israel
trusts in the LORD, who is their help and
shield. The house of Aaron trusts in the LORD,
who is their help and shield. Those who fear the
LORD trust in the LORD, who is their help and
shield. The LORD remembers us and will bless us,
will bless the house of Israel, will bless the
house of Aaron, Will bless those who fear the
LORD, small and great alike. May the LORD
increase your number, you and your descendants.
May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven
and earth. The heavens belong to the LORD, but
the earth is given to us. The dead do not
praise the LORD, all those gone down into
silence. It is we who bless the LORD, both now
and forever. Hallelujah!
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Psalms 116 I love the LORD, who listened to my
voice in supplication, Who turned an ear to me
on the day I called. I was caught by the cords
of death the snares of Sheol had seized me I
felt agony and dread. Then I called on the name
of the LORD, "O LORD, save my life! Gracious is
the LORD and just yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD protects the simple I was helpless, but
God saved me. Return, my soul, to your rest the
LORD has been good to you. For my soul has been
freed from death, my eyes from tears, my feet
from stumbling. I shall walk before the LORD in
the land of the living. I kept faith, even when I
said, "I am greatly afflicted! I said in my
alarm, "No one can be trusted! How can I repay
the LORD for all the good done for me? I will
raise the cup of salvation and call on the name
of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in
the presence of all his people. Too costly in
the eyes of the LORD is the death of his
faithful. LORD, I am your servant, your servant,
the child of your maidservant you have loosed
my bonds. I will offer a sacrifice of
thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I
will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of
all his people, In the courts of the house of
the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
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Psalms 117 Praise the LORD, all you nations!
Give glory, all you peoples! The LORD'S love
for us is strong the LORD is faithful forever.
Hallelujah!
Psalms 118 Give thanks to the LORD, who is
good, whose love endures forever. Let the house
of Israel say God's love endures forever. Let
the house of Aaron say, God's love endures
forever. Let those who fear the LORD say, God's
love endures forever. In danger I called on the
LORD the LORD answered me and set me free. The
LORD is with me I am not afraid what can
mortals do against me? The LORD is with me as my
helper I shall look in triumph on my foes.
Better to take refuge in the LORD than to put
one's trust in mortals. Better to take refuge in
the LORD than to put one's trust in princes. All
the nations surrounded me in the LORD'S name I
crushed them. They surrounded me on every side
in the LORD'S name I crushed them. They
surrounded me like bees they blazed like fire
among thorns in the LORD'S name I crushed them.
I was hard pressed and falling, but the LORD
came to my help. The LORD, my strength and
might, came to me as savior.
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The joyful shout of deliverance is heard in the
tents of the victors The LORD'S right hand
strikes with power the LORD'S right hand is
raised the LORD'S right hand strikes with
power. I shall not die but live and declare
the deeds of the LORD. The LORD chastised me
harshly, but did not hand me over to death.
Open the gates of victory I will enter and
thank the LORD. This is the LORD'S own gate,
where the victors enter. I thank you for you
answered me you have been my savior. The
stone the builders rejected has become the
cornerstone. By the LORD has this been done it
is wonderful in our eyes. This is the day the
LORD has made let us rejoice in it and be glad.
LORD, grant salvation! LORD, grant good
fortune! Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the LORD. We bless you from the LORD'S
house. The LORD is God and has given us light.
Join in procession with leafy branches up to
the horns of the altar. You are my God, I give
you thanks my God, I offer you praise. Give
thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love
endures forever.
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Psalms 136 (The Great Hallel) Praise the LORD,
who is so good God's love endures forever
Praise the God of gods God's love endures
forever Praise the Lord of lords God's love
endures forever Who alone has done great
wonders, God's love endures forever Who
skillfully made the heavens, God's love endures
forever Who spread the earth upon the waters,
God's love endures forever Who made the great
lights, God's love endures forever The sun to
rule the day, God's love endures forever The
moon and stars to rule the night, God's love
endures forever Who struck down the firstborn
of Egypt, God's love endures forever And led
Israel from their midst, God's love endures
forever With mighty hand and outstretched arm,
God's love endures forever Who split in two
the Red Sea, God's love endures forever And
led Israel through, God's love endures forever
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
God's love endures forever Who led the people
through the desert, God's love endures forever
Who struck down great kings, God's love endures
forever Slew powerful kings, God's love endures
forever Sihon, king of the Amorites, God's
love endures forever forever.
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Og, king of Bashan, God's love endures forever
And made their lands a heritage, God's love
endures forever A heritage for Israel, God's
servant, God's love endures forever. The LORD
remembered us in our misery, God's love endures
forever Freed us from our foes, God's love
endures forever And gives food to all flesh,
God's love endures forever. Praise the God of
heaven, God's love endures forever. 27x
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Nirtzah Acceptance Having carried out the
Passover properly, there is certainly that it has
been well received by Almighty God. (Today,
Jews say "Leshanah haba'ah bee-rushalayim -- Next
year in Jerusalem.)
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The Meal is over go in peace.
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The End of History of the Mass, Ancient Roots
Part Ic Go to History of the Mass, Last Supper
Part IIa