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Passover Poem

Matzah, Pesach

Soon we’ll search for the Leaven,
A candle and a feather, we’ll use.

First though the blessing we’ll do.
Searching soon will end, as we nullify our burdens.

Fasting, but for one day, sunrise until sunset one day before Passover.
‘˜Commemorating the tenth plague of Egypt, when our G-d slew the first born in all the house Egypt'”

Fasting one must for all G-d’s provision and mercy.
Fasting we remember the day Egypt, wept.

Though some may celebrate the “Commanded Meal” instead'”
The burning of the leaven it reminds us of one’s long since dead.

The “Commanded Meal” eaten on the morning of the 14th day of Nissan.
Passover begins in the evening of the fifteenth day, we remember when at the table we did stand.

All leaven we’ve set aside, four “halakhic” hours after sunrise.
Soon thereafter we’ll burn all remaining “unsold” chametz we once did prize.

We’ll have this done before the end of the fifth halakhic hour of our day.
Burning or selling, we’ll be done with the leaven, as soon it will be out time to pray.

We’ll need to hurry as we’ve many utensils to be koshered, early is best as by candle-lighting time will soon arrive.
If we must repurchase the leaven let us remember again we must perform the Bitul Chametz'”

Soon now the Passover ritual will begin, we’ll recite from memory the “Seder Korban Pesach”
It’ll be the fourteenth day of Nissan, when our celebration our prayers will be said.

“Mincha” or “Minchah”, we’ll discuss how the Korban Pesach “Passover offering”
Two candles, for the Yom Tov festival day, we’ll only kindle just after sunset'”

A ritual of blessing we’ll recite for Yom Tov, a candle we’ll light from the flame of another'”
Forbidden are we from striking a match on Yom Tov, so a pre-existing flame it is a must.

Yayin” a cup of kosher-for Passover red wine'”
One of four cups used at the Sedar, we’ll perform the blessing, then we’ll begin to dine.

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“Kiddush” blessing we’ll perform, officially beginning the Passover/Pesach Seder'”
Shehecheyanu” blessing next, recited only on the first day if seven days alone we celebrate'”

First in Transliterated Hebrew:

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ho-olam A-sher Ki-de-sho-nu Be-mitz-vo-sov Ve-tzi-vo-nu Le-had-lik Ner Shel Yom Tov.

Now in English, a blessing you see —

Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King (or Master or Sovereign) of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holiday.

Blessings we begin, one for the day, one for the wine, and so a celebration we begin.
Celebrating our deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh by the hand of G-d, we could not help but win.

A series of four blessings, we recite, every year, remembering over and over again, are plight.
We remember too, our deliverance, our flight.

Blessings said now once again we begin the “Passover Haggadah” or “Pesach Haggadah”.
A 15-step, ordered process that is outlined by the tradition held dearest to us.

Four minutes from the start of the Pesach/Passover Sedar, one ounce matzah we’ll eat.
Before our second cup of wine, we’ll remember the miracle, pirsumei nisa”

Redeemed from slavery we’ll thank G-d once again, as we turn to the future.
Asking G-d to allow us to celebrate our redemption, we’ll forever remember the sorrows of Egypt.

Yet, forever will we’ll express our gratitude, to G-d for redeeming us from slavery (“Dayenu”)
“l’havdil” us from all other’s our G-d, stretched out His powerful hand, to withdraw us from a burdensome land'”

Sweet spices, and bitter herbs, ring to our memories once again, the times before our “Havadalah” (our separation)
Soon to will Passover week end, as ever nearer is the final “Shabbat”.

How many years ago now was our exodus from Egypt, how long since we wandered in the wilderness?
How many years was it we waited, for our redeemer to come in the flesh, our Messiah?

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Yet, when He came how we were blinded by the law, blinded by tradition, blinded by our need to wash, yet still as ashes filling beautiful seppulchres we forget our Messiah, came as foretold.

Looking to the law, reading the mandates, somehow we’ve forgotten the prophecy’s concerning the Messiah, forgetting we looked for a warrior swift and strong.
Rejecting our King, how soon will we learn we were forever wrong?

Wrong because we neglected to accept our deliverance, offered to us once again, this time from the bonds of sin.
A final redemption offered to us, in error we rejected as we cried aloud, “crucify him”.

Yet, still His chosen children we forever are, though many a sorrowful tear He must shed.
Turning from us, He’s offered redemption to all, from this bondage we’ve all through sin wed.

Still ever open is His arms, for never will He forget His chosen children, He came to reclaim from deaths cruel hand.
How we could crucify the only one who care enough for us to stand'”

He stood between Heaven and Earth, accepting our punishment, with arms outstretched, holding open the only door to Heaven.
Opening a door for us all, yet we turn away, but for just a little leaven.

My dear friend, look and see who loves you so much, that He came personally to deliver you.
This time He did not send another Moses, nor did He sound the warning cry through another Noah, instead He stepped down from His throne, holding out love that’s forever true.

Accepting our punishment, He’s swept away all our filthy sin, as the leaven too is swept and washed away.
Yet, we run and cling to the leaven, holding onto the burdens, weights that tie us again to slavery, such as we’ve not known since Egypt.

My friend, though a Hebrew I may not truly be, it is upon the blood of one Hebrew I believe.
The Messiah you longed for, the messiah you pray for still, my friend I’ve accepted Him without leave.

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My dear friend, the Messiah you seek, He’s already came.
Many now on His name proclaim.

His disciples ran with His words, going far, and heeding the time, knowing life it is a race.
My dear friend, listen closely forever soon will silence end our earthly pace.

Once it is appointed for us to die?
Judgment soon thereafter will begin; will you’re Messiah your tears dry?

The Messiah He’s came, and He’s coming again, He’s gone but for a moment to prepare our place.
If on His saving grace we’ve accepted, my dear, remember the exodus, remember the Passover, the Sedar too, but never forget, the Messiah, He’s seen your face.

Seeing our plight, our captivity, our inability to save ourselves, He arose from His throne.
My friend, never in torment need your soul ever groan.

Look now once again, and see the Lamb, see His outstretched arms.
He’s still standing holding open the door, the only door to that will lead to an eternity of perfect charms.

The Messiah my dear, He’s waiting on you.
My dear, just as you once followed Moses, if to Heaven you’ll go, you must on the Messiah trust, this my dear, it is sealed and forever true.

Signed, sealed and delivered upon a cruel cross, as you sang “crucify him”.
His eyes, held yours, held mine, as He saw the flames, which were prepared for sin —

The Messiah He’s came.
Forever will many in Heaven His Holy name proclaim…