Passover 2006
April 12th, Sundown
INTRODUCTION
We know from the scriptures that Jesus was Jewish. He observed Moses’ Law faithfully and no sin could be laid to his account. (1 Peter 2:22)
Colossians 2:16 – 17
“16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
In Exodus 12; 23:14-17; Leviticus 23; Numbers 28 & 29; and Deuteronomy 16, God gave His people 7 feasts to remember and to celebrate each year, passing them down to their children, from generation to generation.
These feasts were more than just to celebrate and worship God.
God was preparing His people for the coming of the Messiah. He was drawing a picture of what was to come.
As we read in Colossians, the Apostle Paul refers to the Jewish feasts as “mere shadows” of things to come, the substance was found in Jesus.
What Paul is saying is that the feasts were symbols that pointed to Christ and was fulfilled by Christ.
Today we are going to celebrate the first of these 7 Holy Days (holidays), Passover, and talk about the 2 feasts that take place immediately afterwards, The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of the First Fruits.
We will see how the Passover represented Christ’s sacrifice, the feast of unleavened bread represents the burial of Christ who was without sin, and the feast of the first fruits represents Christ on resurrection day, Christ, the first fruit of the dead.
The first three of the seven holy days fulfilled by Jesus is during what is known by the Jewish calendar as the dry season.
The fourth holy day, the feast of the wheat harvest, marks the end of the dry season. This feast also falls on the exact day of Pentecost, the day we received the Holy Spirit. This truly was the end of the dry season for on this day the Lord made the Holy Spirit available to all.
The Passover points to the messiah as our Passover lamb whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover, at the same time that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that evening.
Passover begins at sunset in the first month on the Jewish calendar which is Nissan. According to this calendar the first night of Passover was on a Thursday, when Jesus had the Last Supper with the disciples and gave them the true meaning behind the Passover.
Although Jesus honored God’s given Holy Days, He did not however honor the oral traditions of the rabbis. In fact He often challenged them and warned His hearers, “Ye have made void the word of God because of your traditions…in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrine the precepts of men.” (Matthew 15:6-9)
From childhood Jesus observed the sacred Passover with his family.
As His days drew to a close He shared the feast with His disciples (Mark 14:12). It was during this Last Passover feast together that Jesus instituted the sacred memorial feast we call the Lord’s Supper or Communion.
Following His resurrection, the disciples observed this sacred meal on the first day of each week (Sunday), the day on which He was raised. (John 20:1)
This is why most Christian churches meet on Sunday mornings because Christ returned from the grave on this day, this was the day the disciples took communion and the day they met to collect tithes.
All Jewish holidays begin the evening before the date specified. This is because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight.
If you read the story of creation in Genesis 1, you will notice that it says at the end of Genesis 1:5 "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day".
From this, we understand that a day actually begins with evening, that is, sunset.
So before we begin, let’s look at a few Hebrew words and what they mean.
Kippah (Skull Cap) or Yarmulka
The most commonly known and recognized piece of Jewish garb is actually the one with the least religious significance. The word yarmulke (usually pronounced yammica) is Yiddish.
According to Leo Rosten’s “The Joys of Yiddish”, it comes from a Tartar word meaning skullcap. According to some Orthodox and Chasidic rabbis it comes from the Aramaic words "yerai malka" (which means fear of or respect for The King). The Hebrew word for this head covering is kippah (pronounced key-pah).
It is an ancient practice for Jews to cover their heads during prayer. This probably derives from the fact that in Eastern cultures, it is a sign of respect to cover the head (the custom in Western cultures is the opposite: it is a sign of respect to remove one’s hat). Thus, by covering the head during prayer, one showed respect for God.
In addition, in ancient Rome, servants were required to cover their heads while free men did not; thus, Jews covered their heads to show that they were servants of God.
In medieval times, Jews covered their heads as a reminder that God is always above them. Whatever the reason given, however, covering the head has always been regarded more as a custom rather than a Mitzvah commandment.
1 Kings 19:13 Esther 6:12
Tallit (Prayer Shawl)
The Torah also commands us to wear tzitzit (fringes) at the corners of our garments as a reminder of the mitzvah (Lit. commandment. Mitzvah means any of the 613 commandments that Jews are obligated to observe. It can also refer to any Jewish religious obligation, or more generally to any good deed).
Num. 15:37-41
There is a complex procedure for tying the knots of the tzitzit, filled with religious and numerological significance.
The mitzvah to wear tzitzit only applies to four-cornered garments, which were common in biblical times but are not common anymore.
To fulfill this mitzvah, adult men wear a four-cornered shawl called a tallit during morning services, along with the tefillin (which is leather pouches filled with torah scriptures and bound around our arms and ties to our foreheads).
Strictly observant Jewish men commonly wear a special four-cornered garment, similar to a poncho, called a tallit katan ("little tallit"), so that they will have the opportunity to fulfill this important mitzvah all day long. The tallit katan is worn under the shirt, with the tzitzit hanging out so they can be seen.
There is no particular religious significance to the tallit (shawl) itself, other than the fact that it holds the tzitzit (fringes) on its corners. There are also very few religious requirements with regard to the design of the tallit.
The tallit must be long enough to be worn over the shoulders (as a shawl), not just around the neck (as a scarf), to fulfill the requirement that the tzitzit’s be on a "garment."
It may be made of any material, but must not be made of a combination of wool and linen, because that combination is forbidden on any clothing.
Leviticus 19:19; Deuteronomy 22:11
Most Tallit are white with navy or black stripes along the shorter ends. They also commonly have an artistic motif of some kind along the top long end (the part that goes against your neck). This motif is referred to as an atarah (crown). There is no particular religious significance to the atarah; it simply tells you which end is up!
It is quite common, however, to write the words of the blessing for putting on the tallit on the atarah, so you can read the blessing while you are putting the tallit on. If a blessing is written on your tallit, you should be careful not to bring the tallit into the bathroom with you! Sacred writings should not be brought into the bathroom. For this reason, many synagogues have a tallit rack outside of the bathroom.
The wearing of the "talit" (pronounced tal-eet), also called the "talis" or "prayer shawl", was commanded by God
Deuteronomy 11:12
Weddings are sometimes performed under a talit held up during the ceremony by four poles called a chupa.
We know Jesus wore one, because the woman who had an "issue of blood" (Matt. 9:20) touched his tzitzit or fringe. The corners with the fringe are also called the "wings" of the talit. Maybe this is why Malachi said, "There is healing in His wings" (Mal. 4:2).
Passover
The name Passover refers to the idea that God’s Judgment “Passed Over” the houses of the Jews when He was slaying the firstborn of Egypt.
In Hebrew it’s called “Pesach”.
It is also referred to as the Spring Festival, the festival of Matzahs, and the time of our freedom.
Leaven
One of the most significant observances related to Passover is the removal of leaven from the home and meals.
This commemorates the idea of the Jews leaving Egypt in such a hurry they did not have time to let their dough rise.
It is also symbolic of removing the “puffiness” (arrogance, pride) from our souls.
This is also part of the “kosher” rules which is another study completely because of the depth of meaning.
Matzah is unleavened bread which is central to the Passover.
It is simply water and flour cooked rapidly, 18 Minutes. 18 represents the Hebrew character ‘CHAI’ which means “life”.
Firstborn Fast
The day before the Passover it is customary for the Firstborn to fast;
This is generally a minor fast for all firstborn males, commemorating the idea that the firstborn Jewish males in Egypt were not killed during the final plague.
Seder
On the first night of Passover (tonight), we have a special family meal filled with ritual to remind us of the significance of the holiday.
This meal is called a “Seder”, from a Hebrew word meaning order or arrangement.
Passover lasts for 7 days. On the first 2 and the last 2 days work is not permitted.
Haggadah
The text of the Passover Seder is generally printed in a book called the Haggadah.
Why celebrate the Passover?
Ordained by God (Exodus 12:3)
For the Children to KNOW (Exodus 12:23 – 24)
In the home (Exodus 12:46)
Father’s commanded to tell their children of Passover (Exodus 12:26, 27)
Father’s to teach the children (Exodus 13:8)
Exodus 12 records the Passover story.
Leviticus 23 records that Passover is a God ordained Feast to be observed.
It was important to God for this to be passed down because it teaches of the coming of Christ.
Why did God require the covering of blood for protection?
The Bible from beginning to end is God’s plan for the redemption of man.
The Old Testament is full of prophecy, foreshadowing, and preparation for our Savior Jesus Christ.
God through the scriptures was drawing a picture for man on who Jesus was, what He was going to do by coming, and how we can recognize Him.
God requires payment for sin.
The foreshadowing of Christ and His sacrifice for our sins was foreshadowed in the book of Genesis with the sin of Adam.
In Genesis 3:21 we read that God sacrificed an animal, and used its skin for clothing for Adam and Eve.
Since that time blood from sacrifices was used to “cover” the sins of man.
They only covered; they could not remove because they were not “perfect”.
The perfect sacrifice for the fall of man and the removal of sin could only be Jesus Christ.
God foreshadowed the sacrifice of His son Jesus in Genesis 22:2, 8 through the story of Abraham and Isaac.
Passover itself is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His blood being our redemption, salvation, and protection.
Does the Old Testament tell us why Jesus came?
YES, in Isaiah 53:6, 7
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.”
Revelation 1:5
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”
Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice. The one who’s blood does not cover our sins, but removes it from us!
Messiah in the Passover
For Passover, a lamb was to be chosen by the high priest. Then the priest would lead this lamb through the city while crowds of worshippers lined the streets waving palm branches and singing Psalm 118, “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”
Jesus entered Jerusalem this same day, on a donkey. The crowds that just heralded the entrance of the sacrificial lamb heralded the entrance of the Lamb of God.
Accordingly, Jesus identified Himself with the Passover sacrifice in John 12:9 – 19.
Jesus died on that Passover evening, at sunset. At the same time, the lambs for the Passover meal were being slain.
God was to give His sacrifice for our sins!
You see, this was God’s plan from the beginning.
He tells us so starting in Genesis.
This book is God’s plan to redeem man.
Passover is the key to connecting the Old Testament with the New, and shows us that there is one theme throughout.
Passover is what our Christian faith is all about.
Christ, the perfect lamb, sacrificed for our sins to reconcile us to God.
The Seder Begins!
So know that we know what Passover is, and that it is a foreshadowing, or picture of Jesus, now we will go through the Seder, or order.
With each step of the traditional Seder, I will also show you how it represents Christ, although most Jews still do not see the relationship.
So let’s begin the steps.
Passover Seder
1. Bedikath Chametz: Searching for Leaven
THE commandment to abstain from leaven is found in The Book of Exodus 12:19, "...Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses;”
Leaven represents sin. We know from scriptures that just a little leaven can ruin the whole. This search for leaven is a reminder to us that we need to search ourselves for sin and make sure we are doing what we know to be right keeping ourselves separate and leaven out of our lives.
Therefore, traditionally on the 13th day of Nisan the head of each household makes a search for chametz (leaven). It is customary to place a few pieces of bread in a strategic location, so that when the search is made, leaven is found. Afterwards the following blessing is recited:
Blessed art Thou, Eternal our GOD, Ruler of the universe, any leaven that may still be in the house, which I have not seen or have not removed, shall be as if it does not exist, and as the dust of the earth.
If we say that same prayer replacing the word leaven with sin, it takes on a greater meaning.
Blessed art Thou, Eternal our GOD, Ruler of the universe, any SIN that may still be in the house, which I have not seen or have not removed, shall be as if it does not exist, and as the dust of the earth.
In Exodus 12:20, we read, "...Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread".
The head of the household will take a piece of leaven that he has brushed with a feather into a wooden spoon which has been wrapped in a cloth. Then it is taken to a prescribed place and thrown into the fire which symbolically removes all leaven from that household.
There is coming a day and time, when all leaven (sin) will be gathered together and cast into an eternal fire, the Day of Judgment.
In Luke 22:1-20, we find our Messiah, Y’shua (Jesus) celebrating and observing The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover), thus, tonight we also will, "...keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth".
(I Corinthians 5:8).
2. Brechat Haner: Kindling of the Festival Candles
In the beginning of the Torah (The Books of Moses) we find;
Genesis 1:3
“…And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Exodus 35:14
We see the Almighty God who is the light-giver, instructed the children of Israel to construct a menorah (candlestick) for a light in the Holy Place within the Tabernacle.
Mary Warner Reads:
“Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, creator of the universe, who has kept us in life, and has preserved us, and has enabled us to reach this season.”
Tradition has the Jewish women light the candles on the tables to begin the feast.
Announce:
“As the women begin the Seder and give light to the Passover table, so it was from the seed of a woman the messiah came to perform His redemptive ministry and bring light to the world.”
As a woman has been chosen to begin the Seder (the order of service) by giving light to our table, so also, the Lord chose Mary, who found favor with God (Luke 1:30), through whom the Messiah of Israel came to give His light of redemption and Salvation.
Romans 1:16
“…to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”
King David of Israel said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation;” Psalm 27:1
Jacob, the Father of Israel said, “…I look for your salvation, Oh Lord.” Genesis 49:18
Tonight, as we see the candles glowing, may we remember, reverence, and rejoice in our Messiah, Who is the light of the world. John 9:5
3. Kiddush: Sanctification – The First Cup of Blessing
All baleboss (head of the household) fill your cup at your table.
The first cup of wine (grape juice) is poured. Bless the day and the people at the Seder.
This is the cup of sanctification.
Why 4 of wine (5 if you count Elijah’s cup) cups, because this corresponds to the four expressions of freedom mentioned in Exodus 6:6 – 7.
The word Kaddesh means special and unique.
You have all been given unique talents, skills and experiences that qualify you to make a contribution to this body of believers.
Slavery (where the Jews were in Egypt before God freed them) is a life with no accomplishment, no achievement, and no meaning.
But God has freed you.
Say, “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” And drink.
This is a reference to God leading the Israelites out of Egypt.
Christ View – (Matthew 26:28) “For this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Because of Christ, you have been freed from the slavery or bondage, the heavy yoke of sin.
God has removed you from bondage. For this we celebrate.
4. Urchatz: Washing of the Hands
Water, basin and towel are brought out to the leader of the Seder.
This represents the priests washing before entering the “Holy of Holies” in the Temple.
Psalm 26:6
“I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, O LORD,”
Christ View – This washing of hands represents the cleansing we receive from Christ, making us “Clean” so that we may enter into the Holy of Holies to “BE” with God.
This washing occurs when we accept Christ as our Lord and savior, thus bridging the gap between us and God and making it possible for us to be and speak with God directly having a relationship with Him.
When we accept the Lord we get baptized as an outward expression of a Spiritual truth which has taken place within us, a cleansing from the Lord.
5. Karpas: Dipping of the Parsley
The head of the house takes the parsley, dipping it in the salt water and passing it to all who are present.
Blessed art thou, O eternal, our God, and Creator of the fruits of the earth.
What does the parsley and salt water represent?
The green of the parsley reminds us of the hyssop used during Pesach.
Exodus 22 & 23
"...And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin…
…For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door,"
The salt water is symbolical of the tears shed by the Jewish people in the land of Egypt because of their affliction. Also, it speaks of the Red Sea that Israel had to cross as they were being delivered by The Almighty GOD
John 19:28 – 30, explains beautifully the aspect of Karpas.
“28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
Thus our Messiah experienced the sorrow and pain of our sins, as He became our sacrifice through His death. To Him be all the glory, now and forever, Amen.
6. Yachutz: Breaking the middle Matzah
We take the MIDDLE of the 3 matzah’s and break it.
Wrap one half in a white cloth napkin and hide it. This is for the Afikomen which means ‘After Supper’.
This was done because it was looked at as a “key” to freedom.
It represents looking to the future freedom.
Christ View – The three matzah’s represent the “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”.
The middle being Christ, the bread of life who’s body was broken for our transgressions.
Being wrapped in cloth and placed in the tomb.
At the end of the Seder, at the Afikomen, this is brought back out and placed on the table, which represents Christ’s resurrection.
Isaiah 53:6
“The Lord hath caused the iniquity of us all to fall upon Him.”
7. Maggid: The Story (The Pesach – the mouth speaks)
Here the Passover story in Exodus 12:1-13 is read.
Lift the 2 ½ matzah’s for all to see then read.
Exodus 12:1-13
“1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,
2 "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.
3 Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb [a] for his family, one for each household.
4 If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.
5 The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.
6 Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.
7 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.
8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.
9 Do not eat the meat raw or cooked in water, but roast it over the fire—head, legs and inner parts.
10 Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it.
11 This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.
12 "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
8. Ma-Nishtanah: The Four Questions
The youngest of the family will ask each of the four questions.
1. Why is this night different from others?
Because God commanded us to observe this day for Him.
2. Why on all other nights do we eat herbs of any kind; and on tonight we only eat bitter herbs?
To remind us of the bitterness of bondage we suffered at the hands of Egypt.
3. Why do we dip our herbs twice?
Once for suffering and once for anguish.
4. Why do we eat unleavened bread tonight?
Because God commanded we are free from leaven during this Holy Day in honor of Him.
9. Makkot: The Second Cup - Judgment
Now a blessing is said over the second cup.
The 2nd cup is the cup of judgment.
Blood, frogs, vermin, flies, murrain, boils, hail, locust, darkness, death of the firstborn.
Say, “I will free you from being slaves to them.” Then drink.
Our freedom is found in Christ alone.
10. Rachatz: Washing of the Hands
This washing of our hands represents our cleansing ourselves, or removing ourselves from the things that would pollute us in this life.
Christ View – We are called to change the world, not be changed by it.
11. Maror: Eating the Bitter Herbs
A blessing is said over the bitter herb (romaine lettuce or horse radish).
This is to bring tears to our eyes, in remembrance of the suffering, and affliction of our people, as they were captives in Egypt.
Take a piece of Matzah and dip into the Maror (bitter herb).
Christ View – The bitterness in our lives comes from the bondage of sin. God’s presence in our lives can remove this. The bitterness of slavery, whether it be bondage in Egypt, or bondage in sin, requires God’s presence if it is to be removed from our lives.
12. Korekh: Eating the Charoseth
With tears in our eyes from the bitter herbs, we now go from sorrow to sweetness.
Now dip a small piece of Matzah into the bitter herbs, then into the Charoseth.
This shows us how the sweetness of God in our lives can over power the bitterness which we can experience.
13. Shulchan Orech: The Passover Supper
According to Mosaic Law, the Passover sacrifices had to be made in the Temple by the High Priest.
Jesus was the Lamb at the Last Passover. He told us this at the Last Supper just before His sacrifice.
Jesus is our High Priest, and we are His temple, for the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
After Jesus’ sacrifice which removes our sins, there was no more need for animal sacrifices which could only cover our sins.
There was no more a need for a Temple for God to dwell among his people because Christ bridged that gap sin had created and once again there is a relationship between God and man.
There is no more need for a high priest because Jesus is our High Priest.
This is why when Jesus died on the cross as payment for our sins, the curtain in the temple separating man from the Holy of Holies was torn completely.
The separation between man and God created by sin has been removed and we can have that relationship with God once more if we accept Christ as our Lord and savior for what He has done for us.
Now is the time for our dinner.
The servers will be coming around with the food, and we will conclude the Passover after the dinner.
“All who are hungry – come and eat. All who are needy – come and join this Passover celebration.”
Let us eat!
14. Tzaphun: The Afikomen (hidden Matzah)
This is where the hidden Matzah is brought back out and placed on the table.
The idea is that we are to look forward to redemption and salvation.
It represents pure freedom!
Christ View – This is Christ’s resurrection and it really represents the pure freedom we have from sin in Christ Jesus!
15. Ha-Geulah: The third cup - Redemption
The third cup of wine is poured and blessed;
The 3rd cup is the cup of redemption.
Say, “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
Luke 22:17 – 18
“17 after taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes."
Luke 22:20
“…This is the cup of the New Covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.”
As we have taken the Matzah in remembrance of Jesus as our sin bearer, so also, we now will take the cup which shows forth His death until He returns for us.
B’oruch atah Adonai
Eloheynu Melech ha-olam
B’orey pree ha-gafen.
“Blessed art thou, O eternal, our God, King of the Universe, Who createst the fruit of the vine.”
16. Elijah’s place setting
Explain the jacket and place setting for Elijah and God’s promise of Elijah’s return & to remember to always be prepared for that day.
Exodus 12:11
“This is how you are to eat it: {Passover} with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.”
Malachi 4:5
“…behold, I will send you Elijah, the Prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible Day of the Lord.”
The Jews were told to be prepared for Elijah’s return. This sign would signify the end times.
Elijah’s cup is filled, and a door opened.
With no Elijah, the door is then closed.
Also on Elijah’s plate is the roasted egg which speaks of the sacrificial system that no longer is in practice because the temple does not exist in Jerusalem, Israel.
A Shank bone of the lamb, reminding us that lambs are no longer sacrificed, since there is no more Temple in Jerusalem.
Our scriptural need for a sacrifice has been met by the shedding of blood for the remission of our sins, by our messiah our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
17. Hallel: The Praises
The fourth cup of wine is poured.
This is the cup of praise.
Say, “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”
Psalms and special blessings are read. Drink wine.
The Seder is now complete.
We pray the next time we have the Passover it will be with our Lord Jesus Christ!
Amen!
