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Judaism
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(5) Passover :
Principal features are - (1) Prohibition against eating or possessing leavened bread, (2) An affirmative precept, to eat Matzot i.e. unleavened cakes. At the time of Exodus, the Jews could not prepare leavened bread because of their hasty departure and ate Matzot. It is said that anyone who will eat leavened bread will be “cut-off' from the congregation of Israel. There are number of rules and regulations to observe this festival.
The most popular feature of Passover is the cluster of ceremonies which attend the meal on the first night of the festival. It is observed with special pomp. (6) SHABUOT :
A day of rejoicing and praise to God, at a season of agricultural importance. The name “SHABUOT' is given to it because it marks the end of seven week period between the beginning of the harvest in the fields, especially that of barley and its close with that of wheat. Owners of orchards all over Palestine brought their first fruit as an offering. The ceremony was performed with great pomp. People gathered in groups and marched together accompanied by songs and playing of fifes and beating of drums. (7) Fasts and days of Mourning :
There are five public fast days in the Jewish religious calender. They all commemorate historical events, four in connection with the loss of independence and the destruction of the temple, and one in connection with purism. All these fasts last from sunrise to sunset, and only eating and drinking are prohibited but no other comforts.
