The data of Easter - 2008

The Hebrew dates of Passover this (and every) year are from the 15th through the 22nd of Nissan (one day less in Israel).

On the secular calendar the dates are from sundown April 19 until after dark on April 27 (oh yes, and one day less in Israel !).

The unusual circumstance is that Passover 2008 begins motzai Shabbos - at the end of the Jewish Sabbath. In other words, the first seder will take place on Saturday night, April 19, 2008.

So what? you ask. The day before Passover, the one followed immediately by the first seder, has a usual routine. When that day happens to be

Saturday - Shabbos - the routines change drastically.

Because of Sabbath restrictions:

A b'chor (firstborn son) cannot fast on Shabbos.

You cannot search for chametz on Friday night.

You cannot burn the chametz on Shabbos morning.

We can't nullify our chametz on Shabbos.

We must nevertheless have bread of some kind for our

Shabbos meals (we can't eat matzo yet).

By the way if this is Greek to you I have written on all of it in other articles on this site. You can also use the resource below.

Here is a summary of what to do this year:

1) Search for chametz on Thursday night after dark.

2) Burn your chametz Friday morning.

3) Ta'anis B'chorim - the fast of the firstborn - takes place
on either Thursday or Friday. Local customs vary.

4) Important: Make all preparations for the seder on Friday.
Start setting the table for the seder after dark on Saturday night.
This allows you to relax in the company of your
family all day long on Shabbos. Enjoy it!

5) Set aside rolls for your Shabbos meals.

6) The rolls should be just enough for your needs;
not more than can be eaten completely.

7) Select a place to eat that can be thoroughly cleaned.

8) Consume or properly dispose of all the crumbs.

9) Finish really early - by 9:00 a.m. in some cities. (Important!)

To repeat - this is a summary only. You need more information and a knowledgeable mentor.

Have a kosher and happy Passover, 2008 (and one day less if you are from Israel!)

Easter eggs, bunnies and customs - Oh My!

This year Easter Sunday falls on April 12. Easter Sunday activities include a colorful parade of Easter, Easter Sunday services and the ever exciting Easter egg hunt! The anticipation in preparation for an Easter egg hunt, only the excitement many children before and during the chase that brings real experience to adjust.

Preparations for the Easter egg hunt include selection of a place, the selection of crafts and decorative colors for eggs, cooked eggs,Painting and then hid the eggs around the lawn or garden. Pastel colors best for egg-dipping, because they are bright enough to be through the tall grass. Easter Sunday will have at least one parent, as the demand for hunting Easter Bunny suit them to wear a bunny costume large.

Regarding children, the fun usually starts at dawn, when they wake up to find Easter baskets full of candy and chocolate Easter. The craziest thrill of what they havedressed in their favorite Easter dress.

Get an edge on the celebrations. Choose an outfit for their children's children of these Easter customs, such as:

1. Rabbit or bunny costume
2. Marshmallow Peep or other sweets as Easter Jelly Beans
3. Religion or biblical figure, like Jesus, Joseph or the Virgin Mary

And those ever-popular costume, the children always enjoy dressing up in:
4. Fairy or Pixie Tinker Bell
5.Super Hero
6. Fairytale Princess or Disney Princess Aurora as Jasmine
7. Swashbuckling pirate Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean
8. Angel

Easter in Malta

This article contains information about Malta and things to do in Malta during Easter.

Easter is the most important year for the Roman Catholic Church and is a very exciting and colorful Maltese because of their deep religious values. Be in Malta during this period, you can see, the Maltese culture alive, as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It is no surprise that visitors to the island was occupied clickaway at their cameras to capture on film these scenes creative and emotional as it is an experience that is unique and worth seeing.

Maltese Easter traditions

After the end of the carnival that takes place right before Lent begins on Easter. The beginning of Lent, takes place on Ash Wednesday, when the ashes of burned palms are rubbed on the forehead of the faithful as a sign of repentance. In Malta, this time as "known RasIR Randan "where the word" Ras "means head - link to the rubbing of ashes. Lent is marked by fasting, usually meat and sweets, either during the period, or select the days of the week, and repentance. In fact, Ash Wednesday is a day so important to the Maltese calendar that there is a school holiday for all children.

And 'common in all villages, there were a "so-so-Wirja Mejda apostle" is an exhibition of "Tables apostle" to be miniaturesize models of the apostles with the Last Supper with Christ. The models are often very elaborate and lively, and vary by country. Moreover, people would be appropriate figures of Christ and the apostles on their windowsills. Many signs are placed at both Maltese and tourists to find their way to the exhibitions.

During this time keep the decorations scattered in 100 churches on the Maltese islands, a different approach in color andDesign and are filled with ornaments, flowers and candles. On Holy Thursday, the churches remain open at night, and families gather for the traditional "concert seven visits. Here the family would pray to go to seven different churches of their choice and kneel before Christ. Another tradition on Maundy Thursday, is that the church bells, the bells are often heard in the villages, will not play again until Easter Sunday.

Traditionally, Good Friday, there woulda sermon, which lasts 3 hours! But this is no longer common. On Good Friday, once again change the decorations and the churches are still very bare, until Saturday evening when the flickering candles to celebrate the resurrection, leading to the Easter Vigil begins at about 11 clock Easter Sunday. There are several parades and pageants held throughout the day, across the island!

On Easter Sunday, in contrast to the gloomy, dark mood of Good Friday, there is an explosionAnd light candles. The processions are led by the flag of a statue of Jesus Christ, the one and sometimes all the biblical stories. It 'is also common for people to repentance join the procession, carrying weights, or bare feet. This procession is also a great family dining Maltese, followed traditionally lamb, potatoes and vegetables of the region.

Maltese traditional sweets

During their holiday in Malta, tourists can also experience aArray of traditional dishes such as shops and manufacturers are full of local delicacies. The "figolla" is probably the most popular and is traditionally given to each child after lunch on Sunday. However, it is now distributed throughout the Easter period to all children and adults! The figolla is a sweet baked pasta stuffed with marzipan, icing on deck. These are Christian symbols, like birds and fish, but other forms such as cars, rabbits and hearts have become popular.Easter eggs and bunnies are also children during this time of year since. During Lent, "Kwarezimal" is also very popular and is made of almonds, milk, flour, honey and spices black. There are two types of bread that are traditionally attributed to this period, the Sfineg 'and' Qaghaq. The first is a sort of flat, round loaf of flour and semolina flour mixture, then covered with honey and fried in oil. The latter is a circular bread with a hole in the center is that almondsspread on top. Hot Cross Buns and sweets are popular in this period.