Passover

Passover is a special holiday for Jewish people. It celebrates when their ancestors were freed from slavery in Egypt long ago. It is one of the most important holidays for Jews. They remember it each year at a big family meal called a Passover Seder.

During this meal, families read a book called the Haggadah. This book tells the story of how the Israelites left Egypt.

The story of Passover comes from the Book of Exodus. God told Moses to ask the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. When the Pharaoh refused, God sent troubles to Egypt. After this, the Pharaoh let the Israelites leave Egypt.

Passover always starts on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Because the Jewish calendar is different, Passover can begin on different days each year. In 2027, Passover will start at sundown on Wednesday, April 21.

During Passover, Jewish people do not eat any foods that have yeast in them, called chametz. Instead, they eat special flat bread called matzah to remember their journey to freedom.

Etymology

The word "Passover" comes from the Hebrew word פֶּסַח (Pesach). This word is found in the Torah, the holy book of the Jewish people. It tells the story of the Exodus. Many think it means "He passed over." This refers to how God "passed over" the homes of the Hebrews during a time called the Ten Plagues of Egypt.

During this time, the Hebrews picked a lamb four days before a big event. They checked the lamb each day to make sure it was healthy. On a special day, they marked their doors with the lamb’s blood. Later that night, they ate the lamb together. The English word "Passover" comes from this Hebrew word and was first used in English translations of the Bible.

Origins and theories

Passover started from two different traditions. One was a special ritual to keep families safe, where people marked their doors with the blood of a lamb. The other was a celebration of the spring harvest, especially of barley. Over time, these traditions joined with the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt, creating the holiday we know today as Passover.

The holiday includes eating bread without yeast, which was part of the ancient harvest celebration. Some scholars think Passover also shares ideas with old spring festivals from other cultures, like those in ancient Mesopotamia. Different experts have different ideas about how these traditions combined to form Passover.

Biblical narrative

In the Book of Exodus

Further information: Plagues of Egypt

In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved in ancient Egypt. Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, appeared to Moses in a burning bush and told him to speak to the Pharaoh. Yahweh sent ten troubles to the Egyptians, ending with the death of the firstborn children.

Before this, God told Moses that the Israelites should mark their doors with the blood of a lamb. This would help God know which homes to protect. The Israelites were told to eat the lamb that night with special foods like unleavened bread, called matzah, and bitter herbs, called maror. This meal was eaten quickly, as if they were ready to leave.

The Passover in other biblical passages

The holiday is also called the "festival of the unleavened bread" in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Leviticus explains that the Passover should be kept as a special feast to remember how the Israelites were saved. Important events, like King Josiah of Judah restoring the Passover celebration and the Jews in exile in Babylon holding the festival after rebuilding the temple, are also recorded.

In extra-biblical sources

Details about Passover are found in other old writings. For example, letters from Elephantine, Egypt, mention getting rid of leavened bread. Writers from later times, like Josephus and Philo, also describe how the Passover lamb was eaten and the special meals that were part of the celebration.

Date and duration

See also: Hebrew calendar and Yom tov sheni shel galuyot

Passover starts on the 15th day of the month of Nisan. This usually falls between March 26 and April 25 on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday begins in the evening after the 14th day with a special meal called a seder. Passover is a spring celebration. The 15th day of Nisan often starts on the night of a full moon after the northern vernal equinox. Sometimes, Passover can start later because of extra months added to the calendar.

In Israel, Passover lasts seven days. The first and last days are holidays when people rest and have special meals and prayers. Jews living outside of Israel usually celebrate for eight days. Some groups, like Karaites and the Samaritans, follow different calendar rules. This can make their Passover dates vary.

Prohibition of chametz

See also: Chametz § Removal of chametz, and Bedikat Chametz

Leaven, in Hebrew chametz (Hebrew: חמץ ḥamets, "leavening") is made from grains with water and left to stand. During Passover, it is not allowed to eat, keep, or own chametz.

Jews clean their homes well before Passover to remove all chametz. This includes cleaning kitchen counters and putting away anything that has touched chametz. Some hotels, resorts, and cruise ships in the United States, Europe, and Israel also clean for Passover guests.

On the night before the Passover Seder, Jews search their homes for any leaven, called bedikat chametz. They use a candle, a feather, and a wooden spoon to find small pieces of leaven, which are burned the next morning. A special blessing is said before the search.

Morning of 14th of Nisan

Note that if the 14th of Nisan is Shabbat, many of the below will be celebrated on the 13th instead due to restrictions in place during Shabbat.

Fast of the Firstborn

Main articles: Fast of the Firstborn and siyum

On the day before the first Passover meal, or on Thursday morning if the first meal is after Motza'ei Shabbat, firstborn sons have a special tradition. They sometimes fast to remember how the firstborn Israelites were saved. But, synagogues usually have a special ceremony after morning prayers, followed by a celebration. This meal means they don’t need to fast.

Burning and nullification of leaven

On the morning of the 14th of Nisan, any bread that rises is gathered and burned. The head of the house says a special phrase, declaring that any rising bread they might have missed is no longer important. This helps make sure no rising bread is eaten during Passover.

Not eating matzah from sunrise until sunset (day before Passover)

Even special flat bread called matzah cannot be eaten during the daylight hours before Passover begins. Some families follow this rule for up to 30 days before Passover.

Passover sacrifice

Long ago, families had a special meal called the Passover sacrifice as part of Passover. They would bring a young lamb or goat to the Temple. The lamb was cooked in a special way and eaten during a dinner called the Seder.

Today, the Temple is not there anymore, so people cannot do this sacrifice. Instead, they remember it with special foods on the Seder plate and by reading old stories during their dinner.

Matzah

Main article: Matzah

A key symbol of Passover is matzah, a special flatbread made from flour and water. It is baked quickly so it doesn’t rise, and is eaten during the Passover holiday. The Torah teaches that the Hebrews left Egypt very fast, so they didn’t have time to let their bread rise. Matzah reminds us of their quick escape.

Matzah is also called “bread of poverty.” It helps us remember what it was like to live without comfort. It teaches us to stay humble and to appreciate freedom. Some people make matzah by hand in groups, while others use machines. No matter how it is made, matzah is a tasty and meaningful part of the Passover celebration.

Passover seder

Jewish families gather for a special dinner called a seder on the first night of Passover. During this meal, they share the story of their ancestors leaving Egypt long ago. The dinner follows a special order with many traditions. Children help by asking questions about why this night is different. This helps everyone remember the history and the meaning of the meal. The seder often includes songs and stories, making it a happy and memorable time for families.

The meal has special foods like bitter herbs, which remind people of hard times their ancestors faced. There are also four cups of wine, each linked to a part of the story. At the end of the meal, everyone says, "Next year in Jerusalem!" showing their hope for the future. The seder is a time for families to share, learn, and celebrate together.

Hallel

During Passover, people say special prayers called Hallel. These prayers come from Psalms. They thank and praise God. On the first day of Passover, people say the whole Hallel. They also say it on other happy days like Shavuot and Succot. For the rest of Passover, people say only half of Hallel. This tradition helps people show thanks and celebrate Passover.

Counting of the Omer

Main article: Counting of the Omer

Starting on the second night of Passover, Jewish people begin the Counting of the Omer. This is a special way to count the days until the holiday of Shavuot. It comes 50 days after Passover.

Each night after the evening prayer service, people say a blessing and count the day of the Omer. For example, on the first night, they say, "Today is the first day in the Omer." On the second night, they say, "Today is the second day in the Omer." They also count the weeks.

When the Temple stood in Jerusalem, a special offering was made on the second day of Passover. Now, people remember this with words instead of actions. The Counting of the Omer helps show the link between Passover and Shavuot. It reminds people that the freedom celebrated at Passover was just the start of a journey. This journey led to important teachings at Mount Sinai.

Chol HaMoed: The intermediate days of Passover

In Israel, Passover lasts for seven days. The first and last days are big Jewish holidays. Outside Israel, many people celebrate for eight days, with the first two and last two days as major holidays. The days in between are called Chol HaMoed. These days are less strict and people can do necessary work.

During Chol HaMoed, families often go outside and have special meals. These meals have foods like matzah, hard-boiled eggs, fruits, vegetables, and treats such as macaroons. Some recipes use potato starch or special Passover flours instead of regular ingredients. In Israel, some families use a special cooking tool called a Wonder Pot when they cannot use their ovens.

Seventh day of Passover

Shevi'i shel Pesach (שביעי של פסח, 'seventh [day] of Passover') is a special Jewish holiday. Outside of Israel, people in the Jewish diaspora celebrate this day on both the seventh and eighth days of Passover. This day remembers when the Children of Israel came to the Red Sea and saw the sea split open (Passage of the Red Sea).

Many Hasidic leaders, called Rebbes, gather with their followers for a special meeting called a tish on this night. They often place a cup of water on the table and talk about the miracle of the sea splitting, singing songs to honor God.

Second Passover

The "Second Passover" (Pesach Sheni) happens on the 14th of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar. It is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Numbers for people who could not take part in the main Passover celebration because of ritual impurity or being far from Jerusalem.

Today, Pesach Sheni is a very small holiday. There are no special prayers or activities, except in some places people choose not to say a certain prayer called Tachanun. Some families also eat a small piece of matzah that night, even though it is not required by Jewish law.

Notable events on Passover

Biblical

1. Abel offered a lamb that was accepted.
2. The war of Abraham and the four kings when he went to rescue Lot.
3. God made a special promise with Abraham.
4. Abraham invited three visitors for a meal and was promised that Sarah would have a child the next year.
5. The two angels stayed with Lot, and the next morning the city of Sodom was destroyed.
6. Isaac was born on the first day of Passover. Many years later, something very important also happened on that same day.
7. Isaac asked Esau to prepare a meal so he could give him a blessing.
8. Jacob wrestled with an angel and was given the name Israel.
9. Moses stood at the burning bush. One year before the exodus, God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and asked him to free the people of Israel.
10. The Exodus. The children of Israel were protected by the blood of a lamb during a terrible night. They were safe and left Egypt the next morning. God helped them, and they left with treasures that they asked their neighbors for.
11. Gideon won a battle against Midian after having a dream involving a barley cake.
12. King Hezekiah was healed, and the Assyrian army was defeated by an angel.
13. Queen Vashti was removed by King Achashverosh, which led to Esther becoming queen.
14. Esther called for a fast during Passover. That same night, King Ahasuerus couldn’t sleep, which led to a change in plans.
15. Daniel spent a night in the Lion’s Den.
16. King Belshazzar of Babylon used items from the temple and was judged by a message written on a wall.

Modern day

1. 1979 – Uganda – Judaism was not allowed by Idi Amin starting in 1971. On Wednesday, 11 April 1979, the new government, made up of Ugandan rebels and Tanzanian troops, allowed people to practice their religion freely again. Passover was celebrated that night.

Traditional foods

During Passover, Jewish families eat special foods. Their homes are free of leaven for eight days. One common food is matzah, a type of flat bread. Ashkenazi families might enjoy matzah brei, which is matzah softened in milk or water and fried with egg, or matzo kugel, a dish made with matzah instead of noodles. They also eat charoset, a sweet mixture of fruits, nuts, and spices.

Other popular dishes include chrain, a relish made from horseradish and beets, and gefilte fish, poached fish patties.

Sephardi families have their own special foods, like kafteikas di prasa, fried balls made from leeks, meat, and matzah meal. They often serve lamb or chicken legs. Mina, a pie made with matzah and either meat or spinach, is also enjoyed. Sephardi charoset can be made from figs, raisins, dates, and other ingredients. Spring vegetables like artichokes, fava beans, and peas are also common during Passover.

Related celebrations, sermons, lyrics, and song in other religions

The story of Passover has inspired many religious songs and messages, including spirituals in the African-American community.

Different communities celebrate in their own ways: Saint Thomas Syrian Christians observe Maundy Thursday as Pesaha, sharing special bread called Pesaha Appam. The Samaritan religion has its own Passover celebration based on the Samaritan Pentateuch, and Karaite Judaism also observes Passover, though it does not follow the same traditions as mainstream Rabbinic Judaism.

Christianity celebrates Easter around the same time as Passover because of the events surrounding Jesus' life. In Islam, Ashura marks Moses's escape from Egypt with special fasting.

Environmental links

Some people think Passover teaches us important lessons about taking care of our planet, especially with problems like climate change. Rabbi Yonatan Neril, who leads the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, says that dealing with climate change is similar to the story of the Plagues of Egypt and how the Pharaoh did not want to change his ways. Scientists found clues that big changes in weather happened when Ramesses II was in charge. These changes could have affected the Nile river and caused a red algae bloom.