Passover in Iraq

So on Sunday 21^st of April the Base Jewish Chaplain held a Passover dinner for non-Jewish personnel here on Al Asad Airbase. I attended along with two other members from our LDS congregation. It was a very interesting experience. When we arrived we all put on the Jewish skull cap (I forget what it is called). We were seated around a large table that we pre-set with many symbolic foods for the dinner. The whole dinner experience is a teaching tool. It is a symbolic journey from slavery and suffering to freedom. As each item is consumed a prayer or song or recitation is given that reflects on some aspect of the Jewish condition throughout its history. The recitations began recalling the time when Abraham call from the land beyond the Euphrates. We all reflected on the fact that we were sitting very near the Euphrates at that very moment. It does sort of add a little something special to the experience. Early in the meal the foods are bitter herbs to remember the bitterness of slavery. Unleavened bread is to remember the haste with which Israel fled Egypt. The lack of leaven represents the removal of bread early from baking so that it could not rise. Slowly the foods become better and better to reflect the elevated status of a free people. Wine or grape juice is consumed while leaning to the right. This is a symbol of freedom since in the older ages the wealthy would lay on there side while eating. The right side is to protect life. This is for medical reasons since leaning to the left could result in fluids going down the wrong pipe. I thought this interesting as the right is a symbol of Christ who saves lives through his sacrifice. All in all it was a very unique and fun experience. I think there are many things that could enrich an Easter meal if take from the Passover. In the end they are really about the same thing, God’s mercy in saving mankind from bondage.