Pictures From Laini's Tea Party

My Peacock Teapot....

The Tea Cakes I made......

The table, including my Moroccan Tea Set. There is a bowel of honey for the Tea

The table is set and ready for my friends.....

There were a few pictures I didn't get (next time)

It is custom when you come in an MiddleEastern home, your hands are washed by the Host or Hostness. Many (which is what I did) add a few drops of RoseWater for refreshing of the spirit.

Mark said the blessing over the meal and then went to take Dad Reel out for Starbucks.

I knidled the candles, and then we partook of fresh Spring water from my Miriam Cup.

Miriam's Cup is a new ritual for the Passover seder. Its purpose is to honor the role of Miriam the Prophetess in the Exodus and to highlight the contributions of women to Jewish culture, past and present.

A Midrash teaches us that a miraculous well accompanied the Hebrews throughout their journey in the desert, providing them with water. This well was given by God to Miriam, the prophetess, to honor her bravery and devotion to the Jewish people. Both Miriam and her well were spiritual oases in the desert, sources of sustenance and healing. Her words of comfort gave the Hebrews the faith and confidence to overcome the hardships of the Exodus. We fill Miriam's cup with water to honor her role in ensuring the survival of the Jewish people.

Like Miriam, Jewish women in all generations have been essential for the continuity of our people. As keepers of traditions in the home, women passed down songs and stories, rituals and recipes, from mother to daughter, from generation to generation. Let us each fill the cup of Miriam with water from our own glasses, so that our daughters may continue to draw from the strength and wisdom of our heritage.

While there are no set blessings for Miriam's Cup during the Sedar, this the one I use:

"This is the Cup of Miriam, the cup of living waters. Let us remember the Exodus from Egypt. These are the living waters, God's gift to Miriam, which gave new life to Israel as we struggled with ourselves in the wilderness. Blessed are You, our King of the Unveresre, the G-d of Miriam."

For the New Moon:
"Blessed are You God, O L-rd Our G-d, King of the Unerverse the G-d of Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachel and Mirmim, Who brings us from the narrows into the wilderness, sustains us with endless possibilities, and enables us to reach a new place."

I also have one for the celebrating the New Moon. (See the next entry) which is what we were doing.

The New Moon was Thrusday, but since most of the women worked outside the home, we chose Sunday afternoon.