Why don't Christians observe Passover and other biblical holidays?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

[Anonymous]

Catholics celebrate Easter, not Passover.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

I mean, do you regularly check in on the events and programming offered by your local Christian churches?

My sister is a Lutheran pastor, as is her husband. They are in Sioux Falls, SD. They regularly have Passover messages and activities. I can also directly speak for some form of Passover activity or community even or message for both Catholic and Lutheran churches in:

Anderson, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Muncie, Indiana
Crofton, Maryland
University of Maryland Lutheran and Catholic student groups
Columbus, Ohio
Delphos, Ohio
San Jose, California
Claremont, California
St. Paul, Minnesota

These are places I have direct experience and knowledge of due to my sister's work and to my service as a camp counselor and a church member. If you need more anecdata, you're welcome to Google.


Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

NP. secret Seders? They're widely advertised. I don't think Christians have them at home.

Christians feel like their religion is descended from Judaism (maybe I'm not explaining this right), so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to celebrate the Old Testament holidays. Jesus was also a Jew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

NP. secret Seders? They're widely advertised. I don't think Christians have them at home.

Christians feel like their religion is descended from Judaism (maybe I'm not explaining this right), so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to celebrate the Old Testament holidays. Jesus was also a Jew.

I mean, all power to you. I just didn’t think it was too relevant for Christians to say, “we were slaves in the land of Egypt” and to sing the four questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

NP. secret Seders? They're widely advertised. I don't think Christians have them at home.

Christians feel like their religion is descended from Judaism (maybe I'm not explaining this right), so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to celebrate the Old Testament holidays. Jesus was also a Jew.

I mean, all power to you. I just didn’t think it was too relevant for Christians to say, “we were slaves in the land of Egypt” and to sing the four questions.

***NEW POSTER***

Oh my goodness, here is what you're not getting: no Christian here is claiming to have a full-on Seder, OK?

But relevant readings followed by a simple community supper, ***in honor of Passover,*** yes.
Simple prayers of thanksgiving thatGod saved his people and delivered them from Egypt, ***in honor of Passover,*** yes.
A pastor or priest weaving Passover messages and themes into a sermon or homily? Yes.

Are you getting this yet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Is this really a widespread thing among Christians, though? I just have never heard of Christians sitting around and having a Seder. Are there tons of secret Christian Seders happening at Passover and us Jews just stupidly thought it was only our thing?

NP. secret Seders? They're widely advertised. I don't think Christians have them at home.

Christians feel like their religion is descended from Judaism (maybe I'm not explaining this right), so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to celebrate the Old Testament holidays. Jesus was also a Jew.

The PP seems to feel that anything he doesn't have personal, direct knowledge of is "a secret," never mind that such suppers and community events appear on public-facing Catholic and Lutheran and other Christian church websites and have been held for decades.

He apparently also doesn't know HOW TO GOOGLE: https://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/2008/03/catholics-doing-seder-meals/

PP, you don't have to like it, you don't have to think it's "legit," you don't have to think it is appropriate or productive or valid: but YES, Christians do, indeed, find many ways to recognize/mark/celebrate/honor/do-something-on Passover. For you to say otherwise is simply false.

Maybe reflect on the fact that you don't have to personally know something for it to be true.

[Anonymous]

As a Jew I my initial feeling was this Christian Seder thing was a little off putting, kind of cultural appropriation. But the more I think about it maybe it is a good idea and it will make Christians less antisemitic and more sympathetic to Jews.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew I my initial feeling was this Christian Seder thing was a little off putting, kind of cultural appropriation. But the more I think about it maybe it is a good idea and it will make Christians less antisemitic and more sympathetic to Jews.

I'm sorry you feel that way! I just want to say that my Trump inlaws who are generally very close minded, racist, etc, are extremely welcoming of Jews. They post things often on their facebook feeds in support of Judaism and cannot understand the hate crimes against Jews. I have always felt this way, but it surprised me that my inlaws and their friends felt this way too. Jews have always been perfect neighbors, coworkers and friends to me. I too have never understood antisemitism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:from vague memories of catholic school (im not christian) - in Acts of the apostles, the first one- peter has a vision that tells him that they dont have to follow the Jewish law anymore, until then the early Christians did follow and observe Jewish custom, holidays and laws. In the early days of the church there was a struggle between those who believed in Pauline Christianity ( what you-all believe in) which is open to all who beleve in Christ, their lord God and the "equivalent of :jews for jesus" today, A lot of the early hermits and eastern christians are offshoots of those people but they mostly died out. So any ways- Peter the first head of teh Church after Jesus was told by God that teh Church was a universal church and no longer an off shoot of Judaism, this was argued by Saul/Paul when he had his vision on the road to Damascus and accepted by Peter and completely changed the nature of the Christian Church and you could say the trajectory of the world.

this is my understanding as well. same as why you wouldn’t keep kosher. and of course, holidays have *cultural* significance as well. obviously Passover can never have the same meaning for a Christian. it’s not like holidays are objective rituals anyone can do. they have specific meanings embedded in the religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Jew I my initial feeling was this Christian Seder thing was a little off putting, kind of cultural appropriation. But the more I think about it maybe it is a good idea and it will make Christians less antisemitic and more sympathetic to Jews.

I'm glad you are keeping an open mind. It looks like Jewish and Christian communities are using Passover as an opportunity to get together and community-build. This is just one event I found of many when I Googled "Jewish Catholic Passover":
https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/cjl/texts/center/news/NH_J-C_seder.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Passover isn’t connected to the Old Testament as much as it’s connected to Jewish history.

It’s the story of the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Why would Christians care about it?

Because Jesus celebrated it and it was what was celebrated at the Last Supper.

And, thus, repeated at every Mass.

you do get that communion at Mass is totally totally different from the Jewish celebration of Passover, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Look, your “seder” with mint jelly is not “observing passover.” It’s an attempt, probably driven by good-hearted intentions, to be ecumenical. probably rooted in the liberation theology more predominant in the 80s Catholic Church. Also part of the growinf awareness of Catholic anti-semitism and movement to deal with that part of Church history.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Catholics and Lutherans absolutely do observe Passover.

Catholics observe Easter, not Passover.

You are incorrect. You are being very literal and hung up on the word "observe." The word "observe" in the sense of "aware of/marking/do-stuff-for-and-on/celebrate/acknowledge/take the opportunity to read and reflect" is what I mean.

I’m Jewish. Passover has nothing to do with Jesus. Easter has everything to do with Jesus.

How can you possibly say they’re the same thing?!

I...never said literally anything about Jesus on Passover!!!!

Christians “mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for” Passover. That might be as simple as relevant readings followed by a simple church supper. To say “they don’t observe it” is false,

They also observe and celebrate Easter (of course).

Look, your “seder” with mint jelly is not “observing passover.” It’s an attempt, probably driven by good-hearted intentions, to be ecumenical. probably rooted in the liberation theology more predominant in the 80s Catholic Church. Also part of the growinf awareness of Catholic anti-semitism and movement to deal with that part of Church history.

I don't know how many times I can say this, but I'll try to go slower, one more time, just for you.

*I never said that Christians capital-O OBSERVE Passover the way that Jewish communities do. I further clarified to say "mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for" Passover.

Just like, you're not Black, right? But maybe you OBSERVE ("mark/acknowledge/talk about/learn about/do-stuff-on-and-for" Martin Luther King Day, with community service or volunteering or using the day off of work to read and reflect about Dr. King's writing and message and calls to action, yeah?

Does that mean you are Black? No. Does that mean you are claiming the Black experience? No. But it does mean that you respect MLK and the history and significance surrounding the day.

Whether you like it or approve of it or not, many Christians do feel a connection to the Hebrew Bible, to the Jewish roots of Jesus Christ, and to what we feel is a shared history pre-Jesus.