Messianic Times: On Our Watch, Let Us Remember

The other day, in the midst of the Passover week, my 6-year old son asked me, "What story does Rosh Hashanah celebrate?" As I started talking about how Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Jewish New Year, and we start to think about our sins, blow the shofar, and eat apples and honey, he stops me. "No, Mom. What STORY does it tell?"I thought for a moment and realized that the last three major Jewish holidays were spent in remembrance. (It's been on my mind a lot. Apparently on my kids' minds, too!)

During Passover, we remember the departure from Egypt with a Seder and eating matzah all week. For Purim, we remember the story of the deliverance of the Jews from the hand of evil Haman by eating Hamantashen, acting out the story, and wearing costumes. On Hanukkah, we remember the miracle of the temple lights, and the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks who had invaded the Temple. Shabbat is a remembrance of the memorial of creation and another remembrance of the departure from Egypt.

We remember many stories during the Jewish year. My son was right to wonder which story we tell at Rosh Hashanah.

You can read the rest in my post at the Messianic Times Lifestyle section.

Three Passover Lunch Box Ideas

I have been fascinated with bento lunch box ideas for a while. At that point I invested in these ziploc containers for my kids' lunches. Using those resources, it wasn't very hard to organize some lunches for my children to take to school for Passover.

Three lunch box ideas for Passover:

Box 1: Clementine, hardboiled egg, cheese stick, matzah, broccoli
Box 2: Raisins, broccoli, sun butter on matzah, cheese stick, maccaroon, and Matzah crack
Box 3: Matzah pizza: Matzah split into fourths, tomato sauce to spread, mozzerella cheese, broccoli, maccaroon, and Matzah crack

I made matza crack yesterday after finding it on the Kosher on the Budget website. It's actually a link to Smitten Kitchen. I think it is so called because it is just as adictive: Matzah Crack(er).

What are your favorite Passover Lunch Box treats?

And Now To Recline

In all this preparation for Passover, it is easy to get busy. I get rather bogged down cleaning the house to get rid of the chametz. It is chaotic trying to figure out what needs to be stored and what cannot be eaten. Then there is the effort it takes to host a meal for family and friends. If you are like me, a social introvert, it may not be the easiest thing to accomplish. So the last few days before Passover are full of things to do. It’s a very Martha way of being.

Do you remember the story of Mary to be with Him. Martha snaps at her sister (are we told if she is the older? She acts older.) Mary should be helping with all the work. But Yeshua says that Mary has chosen what is important.

and Martha in the Bible? In Luke 10:38-42, sisters Mary and Martha are hosting Yeshua in their home. Martha is in hustle mode – everything must be perfect for this amazing teacher. Mary, on the other hand, sits at His feet to learn from Him and just

It reminds me also of things I’ve heard online recently to not be doing for your children when you are with them, but to truly be with them. Martha was doing for Yeshua; Mary was being with Him.

I have just about always related to Mary. The work can wait. The important part is learning and spending time with Yeshua at His feet.

And then there is Passover. The process of getting ready for Passover consists of a lot of work, trying to get the house “just right”. The thing is, though, no matter how hard you try, no matter which set of rules you follow, you will always fall short. In my own power – in your own power- there will always be something forgotten. There will be a cabinet that is not perfect, or a bag of goldfish you didn’t notice in the car. Something. And that’s the key. The physical prepartion for Passover is useful in just that – it shows us how much we are in need of God’s grace and mercy.

The redemption that happened so many thousands of years ago is timeless. When we finally let out a breath and sit at dinner, we must allow the story to wash over us. God heard the cry of His people. God still hears the cry of His people, down to the groans we cannot articulate.

So Martha, dearest, whatever your name is, sit down and recline at the table next to your sister Mary. Let the story of redemption pierce your soul. The message is for us all. It is not just those who were redeemed way back when, it as if we all crossed the Red Sea and were redeemed. We have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb!

Chag Sameach, dear ones!