Song of Songs: Renewal in the Galilee

It is said that the month of March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. This saying holds true for Israel. When March begins Israel is still having her winter rains. It is cold and grey. In the middle of March spring begins and the weather changes. The sun comes out, the birds return, and the trees blossom.

Springtime in the Galilee is absolutely stunning. The Galilee spring brings deep greens of the grass, bright reds of the flowers, stunning yellows of the Mediterranean sun, and intense blues of the Sea of Galilee.

It is just as declared in the Song of Songs.

See! The winter is past;
       the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;
       the season of singing has come,
       the cooing of doves
       is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;
       the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
       Arise, come, my darling;
       my beautiful one, come with me.

Song of Songs 2:11-13

The Song of Songs is about the blossoming of nature, love and the awakening beauty at the beginning of both. It is an everlasting parable for the relationship between the People of Israel and G-d, expressed metaphorically by the love between a man and a woman.
The Song of Songs is read during the quintessential Jewish spring holiday, Passover. One of the themes of Passover is rebirth and reawakening. When G-d led His people out of slavery in Egypt this meant a rebirth of the nation of Israel and a reawakening of the Jewish people.

The Song of Songs is a very special Biblical book. It has inspired many to seek and to find a deeper experience with G-d and His love. It is words to impassion the soul… we no longer feel the cold wet winter rains; we see the fields colored with flowers, hear the sound of the doves, taste the ripened fig and smell the vine's blossoms. All five senses are revived and alive through the Song of Songs, much like the first experience of spring each year. This spring enjoy the Song and Songs and the renewal G-d gives us each and every year.

The Passover Seder: A Time for Family, Friends and Freedom

Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt as told in the Book of Exodus. To celebrate Passover we gather around the dinner table for the Passover Seder. The Seder ("order" in Hebrew) is the traditional feast during which there is a retelling and reliving of the exodus story.

For the Seder, a lovely table is set and participants come to the table dressed in their holiday best. The Seder can take many forms... from an intimate dinner with the immediate family to a huge dinner with extended family and friends to a public Seder with hundreds. No matter which type of Seder you attend, the Passover Seder is a time to connect with family, friends, fellow congregants, and most of all, our roots and faith.

During the Seder we gather with friends and family to feast with foods symbolizing the Israelite's exodus from Egypt. A book called The Haggadah is our guide through the story and tells us how to eat, drink and make the blessings. The centerpiece of the Seder table is the Seder Plate. The Seder Plate holds prescribed symbolic foods that will be eaten during the course of the Seder. This is a significant component of the Seder. Also on the table are three matzot wihch are placed in a special bag called a Matza Tash.

Kosher wine is also and important part of the Seder. Four glasses of wine are poured during the Seder. They symbolize the four phases of the exodus as noted in Exodus 6:67: deliverance, freedom, redemption, salvation. In addition to these, there is a fifth cup poured known as the Cup of Elijah. This is poured for the profit Elijah who will appear in the coming Kingdom as the prophecies of old come to fruition.

There are many traditional songs that can be sung during the Seder. There are songs for the blessings, of which there are many, and songs that help tell the story of the Exodus. Many families know these songs as part of their family traditions. However, there is so many that a CD of Passover songs can be fun and useful to use during the Seder.

During Passover we recount the Israelites descent into Egypt and recall their suffering and persecution. We are with them as G-d sends the Ten Plagues to punish Pharaoh and his nation, and follow along as they leave Egypt with Moses as their guide. We witness the miraculous hand of G-d as the waters part to allow the Israelites to pass and their entranace to the wilderness.

Once the Seder has concluded we are left with full bellies and full spirit. The time has come to part ways with loved ones with whom you shared this voyage from slavery to a nation. As you part ways you say to one another, "L'shannah haba'ah b'Yarushalim" -- Next Year in Jerusalem!

This year Passover begins at sundown on the 29th of March. The Passover Seder should begin after sundown.

In celebration of Passover and to help you create your Seder, JesusBoat.com is offering specials on many Passover items. All Seder Plates are on sale. Additionally, we have great prices on Passover Sets to get you started with a Passover Seder.