Pesach

What Is Pesach?

Pesach, commonly known as Passover, is a significant Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is a time of reflection on freedom and nationhood, rooted in the biblical narrative found in the Book of Exodus. The holiday’s central theme is the transition from bondage to liberty.

Observances primarily revolve around abstaining from chametz (leavened grain products) and consuming matzah (unleavened bread). The highlight of Pesach is the Seder meal, a meticulously structured feast that includes symbolic foods and the retelling of the Exodus story. Pesach fosters a deep connection to Jewish history and communal identity.

History and Origins of Pesach

The origins of Pesach are detailed in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Book of Exodus. According to the narrative, the Pharaoh of Egypt refused to free the Israelite slaves, leading to a series of ten plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians. The tenth and final plague involved the death of the firstborn sons throughout Egypt.

Prior to this plague, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb. This act caused the “destroyer” to “pass over” their homes, sparing their firstborn. This event gave the holiday its name, Passover. God then commanded the Israelites to observe this event annually as a perpetual ordinance, consuming unleavened bread because they had to leave Egypt in haste, without time for their bread dough to rise.

Historically, Pesach also incorporated aspects of an ancient agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the barley harvest in spring. Over time, the Exodus narrative became the predominant focus, transforming it into a powerful commemoration of national freedom and divine intervention. During the Temple era in Jerusalem, the Paschal lamb was ritually sacrificed and eaten as part of the observance.

How Pesach Is Celebrated

Pesach observances are rich with symbolism and tradition, varying slightly between communities but adhering to core principles. Preparations for the holiday begin weeks in advance, focusing on the meticulous removal of chametz from the home.

Pre-Pesach Preparations

Before Pesach commences, Jewish households undertake a thorough cleaning to eliminate all traces of chametz, which includes any food product made from wheat, barley, oats, rye, or spelt that has come into contact with water and been allowed to rise. This includes bread, cake, pasta, and many processed foods. On the evening before the Seder, a traditional search for chametz (Bedikat Chametz) is performed by candlelight. Any remaining chametz is then either burned (Bi’ur Chametz) or sold to a non-Jewish individual for the duration of the holiday.

The Seder Meal

The focal point of Pesach is the Seder (meaning “order”), a ritual meal observed on the first night of Pesach (and the second night in the Diaspora). The Seder follows a specific order of 15 steps outlined in the Haggadah, a text that narrates the Exodus story, provides prayers, and explains the Seder’s rituals. Participants recline during the meal, symbolising freedom.

Central to the Seder is the Seder plate, which holds several symbolic foods:

• Zeroa: A roasted bone (often a lamb shank), representing the Paschal lamb sacrifice.
• Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg, symbolising new life and mourning for the destroyed Temple.
• Maror: Bitter herbs (e.g., horseradish), representing the bitterness of slavery.
• Charoset: A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, and wine, symbolising the mortar used by the Israelite slaves.
• Karpas: A vegetable (e.g., parsley or celery) dipped in salt water, representing tears and spring.
• Matzah: Three pieces of unleavened bread are prominently displayed, representing the hurried departure from Egypt.

During the Seder, four cups of wine are consumed, representing the four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Torah. The youngest participant asks the Four Questions, prompting the retelling of the Exodus story.

Matzah Consumption

Throughout the entire duration of Pesach, matzah is consumed instead of leavened bread. This unleavened bread serves as a tangible reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, without time for their dough to rise. It is eaten at the Seder and throughout the holiday.

Intermediate Days (Chol HaMoed)

In Israel, Pesach lasts for seven days, with the first and seventh days observed as full festival days, which are public holidays. The intermediate days, known as Chol HaMoed, have fewer restrictions, allowing for work and other activities, though many still observe a holiday atmosphere. In the Diaspora, Pesach lasts for eight days, with the first two and last two days observed as full festival days. The seventh day of Pesach commemorates the splitting of the Red Sea.

Regional Variations

While the core observances are universal, some variations exist. For instance, Ashkenazi Jews (of Eastern European descent) traditionally refrain from eating kitniyot (legumes, rice, corn, and sometimes seeds) during Pesach, a custom not observed by most Sephardic Jews (of Spanish, Middle Eastern, and North African descent).

When Is Pesach?

Pesach is a moveable feast, as its date is determined by the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar. It always commences on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Since Jewish days begin at sunset, the 15th of Nisan technically begins on the evening of the 14th day.

In the Gregorian calendar, this typically places Pesach in either March or April. The exact dates vary from year to year. For example, Pesach might begin in late March in some years and mid-April in others. The festival lasts for seven days within the Land of Israel, and for eight days in Jewish communities outside of Israel (the Diaspora), which is a custom maintained from ancient times due to uncertainties in calendar calculations.

Pesach Key Facts