Dealing With Leven

House Cleaning!

Nearly 3,500 years ago, God helped the Israelites by delivering them from slavery in Egypt. The story of the Exodus has been a popular subject for the wide screen, sermons, books for children, and musical scores. For God's miraculous deliverance, the Jews have never ceased in thanking Him and this is especially so during the eight days of the Passover holiday.

During the week of Passover, no leaven or leavened products are eaten or allowed in Jewish homes. Housecleaning is thorough to ensure that no stray procucts containing leven have been overlooked. Children's clothing, in particular, is checked for pocket crumbs and wrappers. Rugs are thoroughly vacuumed, pots and cooking utensils are boiled, and all surfaces and cabinets are washed. The kitchen is virtually made over in preparation for Passover.

So, What IS Leven?

Leaven is yeast, and in the Bible it represents the sin of pride, though it is generally used to represent any sin in one's life. The Israelites were instructed to remove it from their homes for Passover week to remind them that sin needed to be removed from their lives: "For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leaven that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land" (Exodus 12:19). Yeshua taught His disciples about the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees: "Be careful. Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6).

Paul's Admonition

Paul used this Passover symbol to remind us that pride constantly needs to be removed from our lives: "Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast; for Messiah our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians. 5:6-8).

The Passover Seder

As for Passover, once everything is spotlessly clean and the last few crumbs have been removed and burned ceremoniously, the evening of Passover arrives. Families gather before sundown for the seder meal. The seder lasts for hours as delicious and ceremonial foods are eaten. The retelling of the Exodus story through music and word is enjoyed by all. Today, Christians are also celebrating the biblical feasts of Leviticus 23, including Passover. Though given to the Jewish people, all of us can enjoy and commemorate the wonderful miracles God did for His people.

The copyright of the article Dealing With Leven in Messianic Judaism is owned by Virginia Marin. Permission to republish Dealing With Leven in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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