Jewish Passover Seder (Spencer Mottley)

   During class on Monday, we partook in a passover seder. A structured meal and prayer that Jews partake

in during the first day or two of passover, to remember the exodus of their people from Egyptian slavery in

antiquity. The seder plate includes several different foods, each with its own distinct symbolism. A pecie

of cilantro dipped in saltwater, which symbolizes the tears the Jews shed while being held as slaves in

Egypt. An egg, which symbolizes Jewish culture, tradition, and memory. A lamb bone, which symbolizes

the passover lamb that used to be sacrificed at the temple in Jerusalem. Charoset, which symbolizes

the brick and mortar Jewish slaves used in Egypt. Lettuce, which symbolizes the transition in attitude of

the Egyptians towards the Jews (from welcoming to bitter). Horseradish, which symbolizes the bitterness

of enslavement. And a type of unleavened bread called matzah, which symbolizes the haste the Israelites

left Egypt during the exodus (before the bread could rise). In addition to the seder, Jewish people also

partake in fasting several times a year. Fasting is seen as an important ritual in Judaism because it shows

that food is not the only thing keeping us alive; God's will is also keeping us alive, and that becomes

evident to Jews when they abstain from eating. After completing this activity, I was left with a question

and an answer to that question. My question was, how does the Jewish Passover Seder relate to ecology?

My answer is that it relates to ecology because it teaches its participants to be grateful and mindful of

natural resources (particularly food) that was not always plentiful in the Middle East, especially during

periods of weather-induced famine or when the Jewish slaves fled from Egypt.