John K. Clark - Glasspainter Pesach - Texts
The Spring Season

This is simply a spring window showing a hazy and still cool sun. The time of year when nature comes to life again after a long dark winter. The atmosphere is the coolness and freshness of early spring. The new growth on the earth and in the waters combine to give nourishment and sustenance.
On the first day of Pesach prayers for dew are said.
A part of the "Song of Solomon"

"For Lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone,
The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come,
The voice of the turtle is heard in our land,
the fig tree puteth forth her green figs,
And the vines in blossom give forth their fragrance."

In the three agricultural festivals; Pesach, Shavuos and Sukkot, the seven types of agricultural produce; wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates, are shown during three stages.
In this window they are blossoming and at the new growth phase. Included also are the citron and the willow which are necessary for the festival of Sukkot.
The focal point of this window is a tree containing several different species. This tree is also found in the Shavuos window at the fruit bearing stage but here the tree is in blossom.
It has branches containing several different species, ie the fig, olive and pomegranate, also included are the citron and the willow which relate to the Festival of Sukkot. At the base of this window is a palm which is a symbol of triumph and righteousness.

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree",(PS 92:12).

The Season of Freedom

An alternative version of the above passage from the Song of Solomon reads;

"for the winter of bondage has passed
the deluge of suffering is over and gone.
The righteous blossoms are seen in the land,
the time of your song has arrived
and the song of your guide is heard in the land.
The fig tree has formed its first small figs,
ready for ascent to the Temple.
The vines are in blossom,
their fragrance declaring they are ready for libation."

This is only now symbolically linked with nature, the emphasis is now on national redemption.
This window depicts the flight from Egypt. The two main symbols are the parting of the Sea at the base and the eagle at the top. This symbol can be read as both the eagle referred to in the passage from Exodus 19:4,

"..and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself."

however it should also be seen as symbolic of the "Angel of Death" which passed over the homes of the Israelites during the final and most devastating plague on the Egyptian captors. The killing of the first-born. This Passing Over is regarded as the meaning of Pesach.
It is also known as the Season of our Freedom as it marks the liberation of Israel from Egypt and its birth as a free nation. It is also one of the most frequently recurring symbols in Judaism and is often alluded to in writings and prayers. Therefore throughout the series of windows it is a constantly recurring theme.
"...He brought us forth from bondage to freedom,
From sorrow to joy, from mourning to festivity
from darkness to bright light and from servitude to redemption...."
The chains in the border represent the chains of bondage.
There are twelve stars and twelve gateways, the gateways to heaven, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

Festival of Matzot

This panel represents the Seder Meal. This is the main meal of the festival, held on the evening of Passover. Its origin is extremely ancient and possibly goes back to the time of Abraham. And certainly to the time of the Exodus.
The symbolism begins at the base of the window with the ritual burning of any leaven which is in the house.
In Exodus 12 it is written
15. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; howbeit the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses; for whosover eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.
The house is searched rigorously for any leaven or anything containing leaven.
There is a token of the heating of cooking implements in the fire, (Koshering) until they become red hot. Above that is boiling water in which other implements are being heated, (another method of Koshering)
Above this is the main Seder dish containing:
Matzot - unleavened bread, commemorates the hasty exodus from Egypt.
Seder Dish comprises.
The shankbone - A Roasted bone placed on RHS, represents the Paschal Lamb.
The egg - Hard-boiled egg, slightly roasted placed on LHS represents the second lamb which was sometimes needed on Passover when there was not enough for the assembled group. It did not carry the same restrictions as the Paschal lamb.
The bitter herbs - Horseradish symbolizing the bitterness of bondage, this is placed in the centre of the dish. Lettuce can also be used as at first it tasted sweet then becomes bitter.
Charoset - compound of apples nuts cinnamon and wine. symbolizing the mortar used by the slaves in their labour.
Karpass (vegetable) - usually parsley which is dipped into salt water.
Salt water - represents the tears shed by the Israelites.
Three Matzot, known as the bread of affliction. The centre one is broken and a piece hidden. Known as the Afikomen.
4 Cups of wine - Drunk in token of the 4 expressions of redemption.
and I shall bring out
and I shall deliver
and I shall repent
and I shall tame.
During Passover, wine represents as follows,
The first cup as the Kiddush
The second in hope that the next Passover may take place in the Messianic kingdom.
Third is part of the grace after meals,
Fourth looks to ultimate redemption.
The cup of Elijah - 5th cup of wine kept for Elijah.
The Leviathan (great fish or whale) and Behemoth (the great red ox) although mostly associated with Sukkot seemed to be also appropriate here representing the Messianic age which is hoped and prayed for at each Passover. The fifth cup of wine, here represented by the golden cup is designated for Elijah the Prophet. It is believed that before the beginning of the Messianic age, Elijah will return and it is expected that he will return during Pesach.
The scales are for one of the four times of judgement mentioned in the introduction. This time for the Day of Judgement for grain.
This is also the time of the beginning of the counting of the Omer.

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