Many Similarities Between the
Two Religious Holidays
Did you know that about 20% of Americans — and more than 25% of American Christians — celebrate Passover?
Although that percentage is far smaller than the 79% who celebrate Easter, it’s nevertheless much larger than the estimated 2.4% of the U.S. Jewish population.
This year Passover and Easter overlap, with Easter Sunday falling on April 17, in the middle of the eight-day Jewish festival (April 15-23). The two holidays were originally joined at the hip and, therefore, have more in common than you may think. (For example, another name for Easter is “Pascha,” which is derived from “Pesach,” the Hebrew word for Passover.)
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Both holidays signify a liberation from the harsh confinement of winter, as they mark the beginning of spring and its promise of renewal.
In addition, both celebrations are the year’s most highly attended observances for their respective faith communities.
For many Christians, Easter is the only service they attend each year. Likewise, nearly 75% of American Jews (including 42% of secular Jews) will commemorate Passover. That’s the highest participation rate for any Jewish holiday.
Spiritual Cleansing
Both Passover and Easter are rife with symbolism.
For instance, preparation for Passover involves thoroughly cleaning the house to remove all trace of leaven from the home. This cleaning symbolizes the ridding of “spiritual leaven” (i.e., pride) from the hearts of Passover participants.
Likewise, the Christian observance of Lent (the 40 days prior to Easter) involves fasting, prayer and spiritual cleansing in preparation for the feast of Resurrection Sunday.
Sacred Elements
The Jewish exodus from Egypt symbolizes deliverance from sin and self. During the Seder meal, each adult drinks four cups of wine, representing the redemption of the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians. Faithful Jews are required to consume both wine and broken matzah (unleavened bread) at the Passover meal. They are sacred elements.
According to the New Testament and most historians, the Last Supper was in fact a Passover Seder that Jesus celebrated with his friends the day before his death. Using the same sacred elements of wine and broken unleavened bread, he established the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion to commemorate his redemptive sacrifice.
Above all, both celebrations combine the powerful principles of tradition and togetherness to recount historical events with profound spiritual significance.
Happy Passover! Happy Easter!
Sources:
Featured Image: Adobe, License Granted
YouGov
America Magazine
Hebrew for Christians
Biblical Archaeology Society