Moshiach's Meal: What, Why and How
What Is theMoshiach's Meal?
Following a tradition instituted by theBaal Shem Tov, Jews all over the world celebrate the waning hours ofPassoverwithMoshiach’s Meal (Moshiach’sSeudahinYiddish), a feast celebrating the Divine revelation yet to come.
Why Do We Celebrate This Meal?
On the last day of Passover, we read verses from the book ofIsaiahas thehaftorah.1This reading includes many wondrous prophecies about the era of Moshiach.
The prophecy foretells of a leader upon whom “the spirit of the L‑rd shall rest, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and heroism, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the L‑rd.”
In addition to bringing peace to mankind (“he will judge the poor justly, and he shall chastise with equity the humble of the earth”), the new peace and G‑dly understanding will extend to all ofG‑d’s creatures: “And a wolf shall live with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie with a kid . . . and a small child shall lead them.”
The BaalShemTov, the founder of the chassidic movement, was the first one to celebrate this meal, with an open door, allowing anyone who wished to partake.
Thesixth Lubavitcher Rebbeexplainedthat on the last day of Passover the radiance of Moshiach is already shining.
When Is the Moshiach's Meal
Moshiach’s Meal is held followingMinchah(the afternoon service) on the eighth day of Passover. InIsrael, where Passover is seven days long, Moshiach’s Meal is held on the seventh day.
The celebration customarily extends past nightfall, ushering out Passover amid song, words ofTorahand inspiration.
How Is the Moshiach's Meal Celebrated?
In 1906 Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber ofLubavitchincorporated four cups of wine andmatzahinto Moshiach’s Meal, mirroring theSederheld the week before. You can also serve fruit and other Passover goodies.
If you will be celebrating with a group (this is often done in the synagogue) you can have people prepare stories or Torah thoughts related to Moshiach. The actual program is flexible, but you want to pace your four cups throughout the singing and speaking. Customarily, the leader of the group announces which cup you are up to. Note that you do not need to drink these cups in their entirety. A sip suffices.
What Is theMoshiach's Meal?
Following a tradition instituted by theBaal Shem Tov, Jews all over the world celebrate the waning hours ofPassoverwithMoshiach’s Meal (Moshiach’sSeudahinYiddish), a feast celebrating the Divine revelation yet to come.
Why Do We Celebrate This Meal?
On the last day of Passover, we read verses from the book ofIsaiahas thehaftorah.1This reading includes many wondrous prophecies about the era of Moshiach.
The prophecy foretells of a leader upon whom “the spirit of the L‑rd shall rest, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and heroism, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the L‑rd.”
In addition to bringing peace to mankind (“he will judge the poor justly, and he shall chastise with equity the humble of the earth”), the new peace and G‑dly understanding will extend to all ofG‑d’s creatures: “And a wolf shall live with a lamb, and a leopard shall lie with a kid . . . and a small child shall lead them.”
The BaalShemTov, the founder of the chassidic movement, was the first one to celebrate this meal, with an open door, allowing anyone who wished to partake.
Thesixth Lubavitcher Rebbeexplainedthat on the last day of Passover the radiance of Moshiach is already shining.
When Is the Moshiach's Meal
Moshiach’s Meal is held followingMinchah(the afternoon service) on the eighth day of Passover. InIsrael, where Passover is seven days long, Moshiach’s Meal is held on the seventh day.
The celebration customarily extends past nightfall, ushering out Passover amid song, words ofTorahand inspiration.
How Is the Moshiach's Meal Celebrated?
In 1906 Rabbi Shalom Dov Ber ofLubavitchincorporated four cups of wine andmatzahinto Moshiach’s Meal, mirroring theSederheld the week before. You can also serve fruit and other Passover goodies.
If you will be celebrating with a group (this is often done in the synagogue) you can have people prepare stories or Torah thoughts related to Moshiach. The actual program is flexible, but you want to pace your four cups throughout the singing and speaking. Customarily, the leader of the group announces which cup you are up to. Note that you do not need to drink these cups in their entirety. A sip suffices.
