Holy Week part one: Passover

The Jewish community began celebrating Passover, one of their most significant holidays, Monday at sundown.

The night began with the ritualistic hearing the story of the exodus, known as Seder, and enjoying sandwiches made of matzo and maror.

Passover is a seven-day celebration of the Jewish faith that celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt as depicted in the Torah and Hebrew Bible.

The Passover holiday begins on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month on the Hebrew calendar. Depending on the orientation of the moon, this date varies annually.

Student Government President Matt Rubin, a member of the Jewish faith, understands how important Passover is.

"It's considered one of our high holidays," Rubin said.

Other members of the Jewish community share similar views, such as member of the Chabad House who wished to only be called Matthew.

"To me, Passover is like the cream of the crop when it comes to holidays within our faith," he said. "Passover is one of those holidays that I look forward to every year."

Matthew said the weeklong celebration involves rituals such as the Seder meal, eating of matzah and other kosher foods, then explained a few of the rituals that correspond with the holiday.

Some rituals, such as the symbolism of each piece on the Seder plate and those behind the readings in the Haggadah, would not be so familiar to the average American.

Matthew said that it is critical for those who are not a part of Judaism to understand why the Jewish community takes so much passion into remembering its past.

"It's who we are, it's a part of our history," he said. "It's the same as us [Americans] celebrating the Fourth of July. Without understanding the Passover, we lose sight of our identity."

Rubin believes the traditions of Passover are a big help with understanding this identity, for not only those who are Jewish, but those who want to understand it from an outsider's perspective.

"Passover is ingrained within [the Jewish people]," he said. "It helps that scenes that deal with the Exodus story have been fairly glamorized in movies and films."

Rubin was referring to blockbuster films such as "The Ten Commandments" and "Moses," among others.

"Movies such as these are how most of the mainstream have gotten their understanding about Passover and what it is," Rubin said. "The mainstream knows the line ‘Let my people go,' but they don't know what it means to us [the Jewish community]."

Rubin said Hillel, the Jewish organization at UT, decided to help Jewish students in celebrating the Passover this year by bringing it closer to campus.

"Hillel recently has purchased a house over by the Interfaith Center. It's difficult for students who are actively involved at UT to embrace the full essence of the [Passover] holiday because of the dietary restrictions and having to go to worship," Rubin said. "The healthiest students are those who can balance school, work and their faith. Those who can't won't be able to succeed."

Rubin said he understands the Passover story is ultimately a story about one particular idea that everyone shares.

"It's all about freedom," Rubin said. "Whether it's Moses freeing Israel from Egypt and Pharaoh or protesters in the community voicing their opinions about political and/or social issues, the ideas of freedom are engrained within us."