Available online
Description
The programme was made in the village or Yishi, about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which was created by Arabic speaking Jews from the Yemen who came to Israel at the foundation of the st...ate. The Yemeni Jews were so isolated in the Yemen that they have kept many of the most ancient practices of Judaism untouched. The film was shot during Passover, 1976. We see the villagers make preparations for the ridding of their houses of any trace of heaven. The special foods for the Passover seder are prepared. No religious Jewish family would dream of allowing a camera and crew to be present at the seder itself. The family in the film recreated their meal for us, a few days after the 'real' one. It gives an impression, at least, of the sequence of prayers and sacred actions through which they celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. It is meant that each individual should feel the joy and liberation of his ancestors on that occasion and the film vividly conveys the pleasure which the family feel in making that identification.
The programme was made in the village or Yishi, about halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which was created by Arabic speaking Jews from the Yemen who came to Israel at the foundation of the st...ate. The Yemeni Jews were so isolated in the Yemen that they have kept many of the most ancient practices of Judaism untouched. The film was shot during Passover, 1976. We see the villagers make preparations for the ridding of their houses of any trace of heaven. The special foods for the Passover seder are prepared. No religious Jewish family would dream of allowing a camera and crew to be present at the seder itself. The family in the film recreated their meal for us, a few days after the 'real' one. It gives an impression, at least, of the sequence of prayers and sacred actions through which they celebrate the Exodus from Egypt. It is meant that each individual should feel the joy and liberation of his ancestors on that occasion and the film vividly conveys the pleasure which the family feel in making that identification.
| Module code and title: | AD208, Man's religious quest |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AD208; 01 |
| First transmission date: | 03-06-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:37 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Nuala O'Faolain |
| Contributor: | David Goldstein |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Judaism; Passover; Yemeni jews |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with shots of the Israeli village of Yishi, which has been established by Yemeni Jews. Goldstein provides the commentary to film showing villagers clearing their homes of leaven (hametz) making or buying of unleavened bread (matzot) and cleaning milk churns. All these activities are to prepare for the Passover. The daytime preparations immediately before the ritual of seder are seen. These include the removal of the last traces of hametz and the preparation of special foods, such as charoset Goldstein explains all in voice over. The remainder of the programme observes the progress of the seder ritual as it is celebrated by one family. Goldstein explains the significance of the various chants and rituals during the meal. The seder is actually a reconstruction done for the benefit of the programme, as the actual ceremony is too holy to be fiImed. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72580 |
| Production number: | 00525_3238 |
| Videofinder number: | 3592 |
| Available to public: | no |
