Passover Potpourri

     We sometimes think that Passover is limited to the Seder. Actually, both in Scripture and in tradition, there are many more customs to celebrate the first few nights other than the Seder. In Scripture (Leviticus 23:9-14) we find Firstfruits—the beginning of the barley harvest. A sheaf of barley was brought to the Tabernacle (later the Temple) and waved in the presence of the L-rd. In addition, a burnt offering, a grain offering and a drink offering were brought at the same time. This was a vivid reminder to the people of Israel not to be greedy and selfish, but to stop and remember from where their material blessings came. We too need to pause and take time—we also forget Who is the source of our blessings (James 1:17). 

     Firstfruits for New Covenant believers has an additional meaning.  Yeshua, on the first day after the Sabbath on Passover, rose from the dead and became the "firstfruits" or the beginning harvest of those who will be raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:20). 

     From that day when the people of Israel brought that first sheaf of barley, they were to count 49 days until the first fruits of the wheat harvest called Shavu’ot (or Pentecost). The custom of counting days has come to be known as "the Counting of the Omer,” (an omer is a measure of wheat, like "bushel"). The counting of the omer has always been a time of waiting—having experienced a small harvest of barley, and looking forward to G-d's more abundant harvest. The disciples of Yeshua waited patiently (?) for the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Likewise, we today, have experienced G-d's blessings of different types, but we know He has so much more for us. So, we patiently (?) wait for the balance...

     Another Passover custom is the reading of Song of Songs (Megillat Shir Ha-Shirim). This has always been puzzling. Song of Songs is a song of celebration (a fairly explicit one) of the physical joys of married life. What does that have to do with Passover? The rabbis explained that Song of Songs can be seen as symbolic of G-d's special love relationship to the nation of Israel. What better time to celebrate it than at Passover, when the L-rd demonstrated it in so many tangible ways—the deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, etc. What about us—when was the last time we took time to revel in G-d's tender love for us, enjoying first-fruits of all kinds?