[00:05.77]The youngest child in the family asks four questions during the Seder.
[00:05.85]The first question is "Why is this night different from other nights?"
[00:07.65]The family answers the questions to explain the story of Passover.
[00:13.74]During the Seder, the family also sings traditional Passover songs in Hebrew.
[00:20.63]Passover Seders also take place in houses of worship.
[00:26.77]Many Jewish temples invite the public to attend their seders.
[00:31.87]Sometimes special guests are invited to seders.
[00:36.41]Jews celebrate Passover for seven or eight days.
[00:41.30]During that time,they may not eat any bread or baked goods that have risen.
[00:47.67]Instead, they eat matzoh or baked goods made from matzoh.
[00:53.10]Passover also plays a part in the events of Easter--a major holiday of the Christian religion.
[01:01.49]Jesus was arrested, tried and executed during Passover week.
[01:07.92]His Last Supper with his followers in Jerusalem probably was a Seder.
[01:14.13]Many Christian churches hold Seders to remember the connection between Passover and Easter.
[01:22.36]Jesus lived about two thousand years ago.
[01:26.02]He taught about human responsibility and the love of God.
[01:31.11]The Bible says he also performed impossible actions called miracles.
[01:37.70]For example, he was said to heal sick people and give sight to blind people.
[01:44.85]Many people became supporters of Jesus as he traveled and spoke.
[01:50.50]But Roman government officials began to suspect that he was plotting against them.
[01:56.90]Religious officials accused him of insulting God.
[02:02.17]Jesus was arrested when he went to Jerusalem during Passover.
[02:08.15]He was tried before the Roman governor of Judea,Pontius Pilate.
[02:13.38]Pilate surrendered Jesus for execution.
[02:16.83]Jesus was put to death on a cross and was buried.
[02:21.74]His followers set a heavy stone.at the opening of his burial place.
[02:27.38]But when they went there three days later, the stone had been moved.
[02:32.66]The body was gone.
[02:34.33]The New Testament Bible says Jesus had risen from the dead.
[02:39.95]Today, Christians observe Easter on a Sunday in the spring,
[02:45.56]Western Christians will observe Easter on April Twenty-Third.,
[02:50.63]Eastern Orthodox Christians will observe the holiday on-April Thirtieth.
[02:56.59]The meaning of the holiday,however, is the same.
[03:00.84]Its message is joy and hope for life after death.
[03:05.83]To celebrate Easter, Christians often sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" of "The Messiah" by George Frederick Handel.
[03:15.47]Thousands of American churches hold services outside at sunrise on Easter morning.
[03:22.16]This tradition is very old.
[03:24.64]It probably was started by Moravian Christians in the eastern state of Pennsylvania in 1743.
[03:33.37]This Moravian service of praise still is held today.
[03:38.12]Sunrise services in the United States usually are planned to include members of many Christian religious groups.
[03:47.37]One of the most famous takes place each Easter at the Hollywood Bowl,
[03:52.85]and outdoor center in Los Angeles, California.
[03:56.93]People arrive the night before to try to gain attendance to this event.
[04:02.94]California probably holds more sunrise Easter services than any other state.
[04:09.41]Many Americans also observe Easter customs not directly related to religious tradition.
[04:17.46]People in many cities walk through the streets on Easter morning after attending church.
[04:24.15]They wear their new Easter clothes as they parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City.
[04:30.78]Some families color eggs and hide them for their children to find.
[04:36.74]Parents say a rabbit-- the Easter bunny -- leaves the Easter eggs.
[04:42.17]Here in Washington, a big celebration takes place each year on the day after Easter.
[04:49.90]The President of the United States invites children to search for Easter eggs on the grounds around the White House. |