![]() ![]() This symbolic dish represents the bricks used by the enslaved Jews to build Pharaoh’s cities. Traditionally, the matzah is served with a sweet condiment called charoset, a mixture of apples, nuts, and wine. Perhaps the most well-known of Passover foods are maror (bitter herbs) and matzah (unleavened bread), which is a reminder of the haste with which the enslaved people left Egypt because they did not even have time for the bread to rise.įor the duration of Passover, no leavened or fermented food or drink is eaten, including cake, cookies, cereal, pasta, and most alcoholic beverages. However, G-d spared the children of Israel the plague “passed over” their homes because G-d had instructed Moses to tell them to mark their doorposts with lamb’s blood. The Pharaoh relented. Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day and began the trek to Mount Sinai. On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), the last of the 10 plagues afflicted the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn. The Israelites had been enslaved by Egyptian pharaohs for many decades. Moses tried to appeal to the Egyptians with a message from G-d, but this were ignored. Devastating plagues destroyed crops and livestock. In Hebrew, this festival is known as Pesach (which means “to pass over”), because G-d passed over the Jewish homes to spare them from death that first Passover eve. Because Passover is primarily a Jewish holiday, we have elected to follow this custom on this page by using “G-d” to refer to Him. (Note : To some followers of Judaism, it is considered disrespectful to write out the name of the Lord in full. The Seder meals include four cups of wine, eating matzah and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. During the Seder, which means “order” in Hebrew, the experience of the Exodus is told in story, song, prayer, and the tasting of symbolic foods. In more traditional Jewish communities-including both Orthodox and Conservative communities-Passover is celebrated for eight days.įamily and friends gather together after nightfall on the first and second nights of the holiday for the high point of the festival observance, the Seder. In many Reform Jewish communities, Passover is celebrated for seven days, not eight. Over time, the Festival of Unleavened Bread commonly became known as “Passover” and is usually considered as starting at sundown between Nissan 14 and Nissan 15. On this start of Nissan 15, the Passover lamb that had been sacrificed and prepared on Nissan 14 (that same afternoon) was eaten that night (now Nissan 15), along with unleavened bread. Nissan 15 (the new day starting at sundown) was the beginning of the seven-day Festival of Unleavened Bread. Nissan 14 was the Passover as mentioned in the Torah at this time, an offering to the Lord, the sacrifice of a lamb, was slaughtered during the afternoon and prepared. Note: What is often called Passover today has its origins in two ancient observances. Passover Ends (at nightfall, when 3 medium stars become visible) The first Seder will be on April 5 after nightfall, and the second Seder will be on April 6 after nightfall. Passover 2023 will be celebrated from April 5 to April 13. Hanukkah 2023: When is Hanukkah and Why Is It Celebrated? ![]()
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