Learning with chocolate bunnies and jellybean eggs.Did you know your Easter basket can be a history lesson? According to Eric Rabkin, University of Michigan professor of English, the traditional Easter symbols—the egg, the bunny, and the dove—actually tell a story of the development of Christianity.All Easter symbolism, from eggs to lilies, stem from early celebrations of the vernal solstice and fertility, Rabkin says. “From a Christian viewpoint, of course, Jesus has existed along side God the father and the Holy Spirit from time immemorial.” But, historically, this trinity developed one part at a time.”All Western traditions have a sun god at their ultimate origins,” Rabkin points out, and that is why the egg came first. The egg is not only a symbol of fertility, but also of the universe. “When you open up the egg, you get a miniature version of the sun, a representation of God the father,” says Rabkin. The rabbit symbolizes fertility and new life. “Thus, the bunny brings the egg to man on Easter morning, just as the son, Jesus, brought God back to man.” The dove appeared third in the historical Easter story. It symbolizes resurrection and, thus, the Holy Ghost. “What you get then is a working through of gradual stages of the resurrection in history,” Rabkin says.For more information, contact Rabkin at (734) 764-2553.Passover feast follows specific traditions.At sundown on April 19, Jews around the world sat down to the Seder meal, one of the most important traditions of Passover week. According to Gene Schramm, U-M professor of Semetics, the meal should not include any foods suggestive of the Passover sacrifice. For this reason, people avoid roasted meats and instead serve boiled or stewed main courses. Participants also clear the house of all leavening agents and all leavened products. Such foods include grains like wheat, rye, oats, barley and spelt. The only grain product that may be consumed is matzos, an unleavened bread that must be baked less than 18 minutes after water has been added to the flour. Observant Jews save utensils and dishes for use only during the week of Passover to closely follow their traditions.For more information, contact Schramm at (734) 647-0094.Easter Sunday guided by the stars.Christians often look to the heavens to celebrate Easter. Astronomers, however, look to the heavens to predict Easter. U-M astronomers practice the ancient method of determining the varying date of Easter by studying the stars. The first step is to note the first day of spring, which begins when the sun crosses the equator into the Northern Hemisphere. This occurs on or aroundFor more information, contact Sears at (734) 763-3295.

Eric RabkinGene Schramm