TNDL: “YESHUA WAS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB OF GOD FOR THE SINS OF THE JEWS AND THE SINS OF THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. SEE REVELATION 4-5. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER SUPPER TO THE JEWISH ISRAELITES AND FOLLOWERS OF YESHUA, THE MESSIAH?”

The escape from Egypt
The Tenth Plague - the plague on the firstborn
An avenging angel would go from house to house killing every first-born son. Israelite children would not be killed and thus God would show that they were his chosen people.
Unleavened breadHome-made matzo. Matzo symbolises the Israelites' unleavened bread ©
So that the angel would know which houses were Israelite homes, the Children of Israel were to follow very specific instructions:
Each household was to take an unblemished, male lamb, look after it, and slaughter it at twilight four days later.
Blood from the lamb was to be brushed on the door frames. This would tell the avenging angel that it was an Israelite home and to 'pass over'.
Then the families were to roast the lamb and eat it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. Every bit of the lamb had to be eaten and any remaining bones burned.
The Israelites were to perform this ritual dressed for a journey.
The Avenging Angel Arrives
At midnight every Egyptian firstborn - from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner in his cell - and even of the livestock - was struck down by the angel.
The Egyptians were terrified and demanded Pharaoh banish the Israelites there and then.
Matzo cracker and boxShop-bought matzo ©
Pharaoh frees the Israelites
Pharaoh summoned Moses and ordered him to get his people out of Egypt immediately.
The Egyptians were so glad to see the back of the Israelites that they gave them silver and gold and other valuables to encourage them to go.
The Israelites took their unleavened dough with them - they hadn't had time to add the yeast - and lived on this for the first few days of their Exodus.
Learning Zone video: The Passover Story
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Passover today
Celebrations
Table with seder meal and Haggadah by every placeTable set for Passover with a Haggadah at each place ©
Every year, Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel, as commanded by God in Exodus 13.
The celebrations last for seven or eight days, depending on where you live.
Learning Zone video: The meaning of Passover for young Jews today
In Israel
Passover lasts seven days - the first and seventh days are observed as full days of rest (yom tov), and the middle five as intermediate holidays (hol ha-moed).
Outside Israel
Passover lasts eight days and the first two and last two days are observed as full days of rest.
The Torah says to celebrate Passover for seven days, but Jews in the Diaspora lived too far away from Israel to receive word as to when to begin their observances and an additional day of celebration was added to be on the safe side.
Preparations
Before celebrations can begin the house must be cleaned from top to bottom to remove any traces of chametz (leaven) from the home.
This commemorates the Jews leaving Egypt who did not have time to let their bread rise, but also symbolises removing 'puffiness' (arrogance, pride) from their souls. The day before Passover begins there is a ritual search for chametz in every home. The children usually join in with great enthusiasm.
A Jew may not eat chametz or derive benefit from it during Passover. He may not even own it or feed it to animals.
Any chametz in his possession, or utensils used to prepare food with chametz, have to be temporarily 'sold' to non-Jews. They can be bought back after the holiday. You can even sell your chametz online!