Christ in the Passover: Why is This Night Different?

by Ceil; Rosen Rosen

The authors, with their background in Jewish Orthodoxy, share their insights into the presence of Christ in the Jewish passover celebration.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian Living, History, Biblical Studies

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read one other book by these authors, the founders of Jews for Jesus, so I should have known better. I picked this up when the library at my church was being liquidated, and had hoped it might take a more scholarly approach. But the faults here are simply egregious. This is really just an attempt to proselytize to fellow Jews by postulating a (dubious) connection between the modern-day Passover seder and the early Christian church. The authors literally attempt to place Christ in the Passover, by interpreting one -- and only one -- of the symbolic elements of the Passover as a holdover from an era when followers of Christ were still integrated into the Jewish community. They then go on to speculate other possible connections which are simply ludicrous: the holes in matzo (a simple artifact of the baking process) as symbols of Christ's wounds, for example. This book makes for a thin repast, and the recipe is in no way fortified by the copious use of treacle and lard: imagery which is so clichéd it threatens to place the reader into a diabetic coma. Yech!

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource that I read nearly every Easter as our church gathers on Maundy Thursday for a Seder. The book is written with a Gentile audience in mind, but speaks also to Jews who may not have a firm understanding of the Passover celebration. Unfamiliar terms are defined as the book leads the reader through the history of Passover, the ancient Seder, the contemporary Seder, and finally shows how the Passover its story of redemption points to and ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus.

This a great book to read if you wish to understand something of the Passover, the Seder meal tradition, or the roots of communion in Christian tradition.

[Douglas W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book back in 1997, then again in 2002, then again in 2014 - even more than that, I have referenced it several times in the intervening years. The book itself is not exhaustive by any means, but it is all the more enjoyable for that. It is a well-weighted, brilliant, and beautiful perspective on the meaning behind so many of the symbols and elements found in the Eucharist. Having been a Gentile Christian my whole life, it is a wonderful and poignant thing to be confronted with the Jewish meaning behind such things as the bitter herbs, the four cups, and the need to 'purge the leaven.'

An excellent book with glorious insight.

[christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but there wasn't as much new information as I expected. It would be wonderful, at least 4 stars, if I had never read anything about Messianic symbolism in the Passover or attended a Seder hosted by a Jewish Christian.

[Laurie Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by the founder of Jews of Jesus, Moishe Rosen explains the correlation between Passover and the Messiah, Jesus. Also provided is a chart of all the Jewish feasts and their significance. A Seder ceremony is provided as well.
It's an amazing and easy read!

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rosen's "Christ in the Passover" was a wonderful way to prepare for Easter 2019. The Rosen's seek to examine the Passover tradition from a plethora of perspectives. The original Passover story is retold, with discussion of the meaning of the celebration, early observances, Passover in the time of Jesus, the connection between the Passover and the Last Supper in which Jesus instituted communion, and contemporary Seder preparations and rituals. All is examined in the light of Jesus Christ as the Messiah that fulfills (all Old Testament and) Passover prophecy.

In addition, the authors helpfully include a glossary, index and four appendices:
Appendix 1: Chart of Jewish Feasts
Appendix 2: Sample Ceremony for the Celebration of the Passover
Appendix 3: Comparing Ashkenazic and Sephardic Passover Customs of North America
Appendix 4: A Chronological Look at the Passion Week

I especially appreciated the chronological documentation of Passover celebrations referenced in Scripture and beyond, with attention to the various strands of Jewish practice that interweave in the North American diaspora today. This title serves as both a wonderful mediation on Jesus in the Passover and a solid reference for Passover traditions (both Orthodox and Messianic). This is one of those times when I wish 3.5 stars was an option!

This title is part of a series by the Rosen's that includes: Christ in the Feast of Pentecost and Christ in the Feast of Tabernacles. For more, see
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

For actual implementation of a Messianic Passover Seder, I prefer...
Messianic Passover Seder Haggadah, Chosen People Ministries, 2000
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information on the modern Passover seder and the ways Passover traditions nod to Jesus: the Passover lamb; the way leaven is used as a key symbol of sin (and one which Paul mentions later in the New Testament); one broken piece of matzo (crucified) that is then hidden in the house (died) and found at the end of the meal (resurrected).

The book starts with a brief history of Israel beginning with Abraham, leading to the Exodus, the judges, the kings, exile in Babylon, and of course culminating with Jesus. The authors also highlight times in the story of God's people where the Passover was either kept or not kept. I thought it was all quite interesting but the format could've been more readable and easier to follow.

It's remarkable how much symbolism there is in this meal. Every food and every action is filled with intention. It's very beautiful!

Some quotes that stuck out:

"There was a threefold aspect to those annual festivals: first, the seasonal celebration based on the agrarian culture of that time; second, the historical remembrance of God's dealings with the nation; and third, a future fulfillment."

"Even as we teach little children today through object lessons, Jehovah took everyday acts of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching and made them his allies in teaching Holy truths to His people."

"Thus, throughout the history of the children of Israel, the Passover celebration, or the neglect of it, stood out as a thermometer indicating the Jewish community's spiritual condition."

[Robbie Deacon · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book that’s supposed to be about the last supper, this book says surprisingly little about the role of communion within Christianity; the author hints at a memorialist theology of the Eucharist but spends far more time discussing Justification by faith alone. While some of the information on contemporary Jewish Passover celebrations is interesting, this short book is weighed down by awkward syntax, KJV verses (there’s an extended discussion of the symbolic import of the word “shew” which would have made far more sense if the author didn’t insist on using the KJV), and bland, preachy rhetoric.

[Larry Hostetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I appreciated the historical review and the insights into the passover. I learned a lot. It was also nice to read about the development of the ritual and its references in New Testament literature.

A short book, it nonetheless is sufficient to explain the significance and other information about Passover.

[Backslash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. Short, but good history and how that history creates the Passover, and then the modern sader meal. Then the book ends.pointing out how Jesus is represented in the sader. Strong gospel presentation at the end.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This perspective is not one you hear in Christian circles, and it is such a needed viewpoint. The historical & cultural practices of the Jewish faith brings new meaning to Christ’s sacrifice and this book does an amazing job at illustrating it.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was almost exactly what you hoped it would be. They first provide really helpful insights into the original deliverance from Egypt; then they talk about what the Passover celebration was like in the OT, then in Jesus's time; then they describe how Jesus at the Last Supper was acting according to the Passover traditions of his day, and how he was fulfilling/transforming them; then they talk a lot about the modern Passover celebration. This latter section is a large section of the book, mainly because they want to show that the modern traditions are good but lacking, and that they truly do point to Christ. They then end with an apt invitation.

In short, it was a helpful book to become more aware of the history of the Passover feast itself, and to see how Jesus truly perfectly fulfills the longings expressed therein.

It could have been longer with more explanation about the original Passover and the Lord's Supper, but as with the Y'Shua book, it seems this was meant to be short so it could be handed out to modern Jews.

[Jason Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Partly future prep but a good exposition of what the food elements mean and how the last supper fulfils them

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read, but I would not place much stock in the information.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sheds some light on the interplay between the Old Testament and the fulfillment in the New. So if that topic interests you (as it did me), I would recommend this.

[Yolanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and informative read. I appreciated the insight into Jewish culture, the Passover, Seder, and Last Supper.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Christ in the Passover" is a Christ-focused, Biblical view of the Passover celebration. Using the Bible as their main source, the authors explained why Israel was chosen by God, the history leading up to the Passover, and the original commands from God on how to celebrate the Passover. They pointed out the parts of this celebration that we now know symbolize the death of Jesus the Messiah for our sins.

Then they commented on how the Passover was celebrated up until Jesus' time, the sights and sounds of Jerusalem during the Passover in Jesus time, what the Passover meal was like during Jesus' time, and what the modern Passover is like and why it's different. In all these cases, they pointed out the parts of the Passover meal that point to Christ. They also described when during the "Last Supper" Passover meal that he added the parts that have become the Christian communion celebration.

While I've heard much of this information before, this book had some new (to me) details, like the description of the larger scene of the celebration and several bits of the symbolism in the Passover meal.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. lets you consider how the ancient Passover has foretold all of what was to come in bringing salvation to the world-- Christ's ultimate sarcrifice to mankind. Even the ways and habits of visiting participants to the first Passovers were described. It also compares all of the different Passover Seder dinners celebrated today around the world. Overall it was an informative and fun little book.

[Rhonda D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, but somewhat dry, look at how Christ is foreshadowed in the Passover traditions and meal.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So interesting!! Love how the Passover points directly to Jesus!

[Alicia Ruggieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to follow.

[Fraser Coltman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a good commentary on the Jewish Passover as it relates to Jesus.

[David Gaddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great study on how the emblems of the Passover Seder were all foreshadowing Jesus and his redemptive service.

[Michelle]

Rec. by Ann Voskamp for Lent.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information. Well written and easy to read.

[Judy Kobrzycki]

good reference material