Passover (also referred to in Hebrew as Pesach) commemorates the exodus of the Jewish People from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover is observed for eight days in the Diaspora and seven days in Israel. The Festival is celebrated from the 15th until the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan.
The word 'Pesach' refers to the moment G-d “passed over” the houses of the Jews during the plague of slaying the first-born Egyptians. Additionally the word 'Pesach' refers to the ancient Passover sacrifice known as the Paschal Lamb.
Passover is observed by eating matzah, getting rid of chametz (leaven), praying the specific prayers of the Festival and conducting the Seder Feasts. The Seder Feasts are held after nightfall on the first two nights of Passover in the Diaspora and the first night in Israel.
The Seder includes the retelling of the story of the Exodus based on the Haggadah, drinking the four cups of wine, eating matzah, the symbolic Seder Plate, traditional songs and prayers, the Afikoman and more.
Throughout the Festival it is forbidden to eat or have in your possession, any leavened food products (chametz) such as bread, cake, pizza, pasta etc. Chametz is prohibited because in their haste to escape from the land of Egypt the Jewish People did not have enough time to wait for the bread they had prepared, to rise. Instead, they ate matzah, unleavened bread.
Ultimately, the Festival of Passover is a time of freedom, when Jews have the opportunity to relive the experience of leaving Egypt once again.
Millions of Jews all around the world will join together once again this Passover evening, to relive and retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
