Passover

What Is Passover?

Passover, known in Hebrew as Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday commemorating the biblical story of the Exodus, where the Israelites were freed from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is a time for reflection on themes of freedom, redemption, and the preservation of the Jewish people. The holiday is observed for seven days in Israel and by Reform Jews worldwide, and for eight days by Orthodox and Conservative Jews in the Diaspora.

Central to Passover observance is the removal of chametz (leavened bread) from the home and diet, along with the consumption of matzah (unleavened bread). The holiday begins with the Seder meal, a highly ritualised feast that retells the Exodus narrative through readings, songs, and symbolic foods. Passover is considered one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar.

The holiday reinforces communal identity and intergenerational transmission of heritage. Families gather to observe traditions that have been passed down for millennia. Its historical depth and enduring relevance make it a cornerstone of Jewish life.

History and Origins of Passover

The origins of Passover are rooted in the biblical narrative found primarily in the Book of Exodus. According to the Torah, the holiday commemorates God’s “passing over” the homes of the Israelites during the tenth and final plague, the slaying of the firstborn, before their liberation from Pharaoh’s rule. This event led directly to the Exodus, their hurried departure from Egypt under the leadership of Moses.

Historically, Passover also incorporated elements of ancient spring harvest festivals. It coincided with the barley harvest in the Land of Israel, marking the beginning of the agricultural year. The unleavened bread (matzah) may have initially been a simple, quickly prepared food eaten during the busy harvest season, later imbued with its profound symbolic meaning related to the hasty departure from Egypt.

In ancient times, the observance involved a Temple sacrifice of a Paschal lamb. After the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, the focus of Passover shifted from the communal Temple sacrifice to the home-based Seder meal. This transformation allowed the holiday to continue to be observed by Jewish communities across the world, adapting its rituals to an exiled existence.

How Passover Is Celebrated

Passover celebrations are rich in symbolism and tradition, centred around the themes of liberation and remembrance. The preparation for Passover is extensive, involving a thorough cleaning of the home to remove all traces of chametz, which symbolises spiritual impurities and the arrogance of slavery. Special Passover dishes and utensils are often used during the holiday period.

The Seder Meal

The highlight of Passover is the Seder (meaning “order”), a festive meal typically held on the first one or two nights of the holiday. Families gather to follow a structured liturgy found in a special book called the Haggadah, which means “telling.” The Haggadah guides participants through the retelling of the Exodus story, accompanied by prayers, songs, and specific rituals.

Key elements of the Seder include:

• The Seder Plate: This central item holds various symbolic foods: Zeroa (roasted shank bone) representing the Paschal sacrifice; Beitzah (hard-boiled egg) symbolising rebirth and mourning; Maror (bitter herbs, often horseradish) recalling the bitterness of slavery; Charoset (a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, and wine) representing the mortar used by the Israelite slaves; Karpas (a green vegetable, often parsley) dipped in salt water, symbolising tears and spring; and a small portion of Chazeret (another bitter herb).
• Matzah: Three pieces of matzah are placed on the table, with one broken and hidden (Afikoman) for children to find later, a tradition that engages younger participants. Matzah is consumed throughout the Seder and for the entire holiday.
• Four Cups of Wine: Participants drink four cups of wine at specific points during the Seder, symbolising the four promises of redemption made by God to the Israelites. An additional cup, Elijah’s Cup, is often poured but not drunk, representing hope for the Messiah’s arrival.
• Questions: The youngest capable person asks the Four Questions (Ma Nishtana), inquiring about the distinctiveness of the Seder night, which prompts the telling of the Exodus story.

Dietary Laws

Throughout Passover, strict dietary laws are observed. The consumption of chametz is forbidden. This extends to products made from wheat, barley, oats, rye, and spelt that have been leavened. Instead, matzah is eaten, often in large quantities. Many foods are specifically labelled “Kosher for Passover” to ensure they meet these requirements.

Counting of the Omer

Beginning on the second night of Passover, a daily counting ritual known as the Counting of the Omer takes place for 49 days, leading up to the holiday of Shavuot. This period marks the link between the liberation from Egypt (Passover) and the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Shavuot).

When Is Passover?

Passover is observed annually, commencing on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. As the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, its dates vary each year on the Gregorian calendar, typically falling in late March or April.

The holiday lasts for seven days in Israel and by many Reform Jewish communities worldwide. However, outside of Israel (in the Diaspora), Orthodox and Conservative Jewish communities observe Passover for eight days. This additional day stems from ancient practices when the exact start of a new month was uncertain, leading to an extra day of observance to ensure the holiday was celebrated on the correct day. The first two days (or first day in Israel) and the last two days (or last day in Israel) of Passover are considered full festival days, with many of the same restrictions as Shabbat, including refraining from work. The intermediate days, known as Chol HaMoed, are semi-festive, with some restrictions lifted.

Passover Key Facts