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All About Passover

Passover is one of the most important religious festivals in the Jewish calendar. Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.

Jews have celebrated Passover since about 1300 BC, following the rules laid down by God in Exodus 13.

Click Here To Download A Passover Haggadah.

The Celebration

The celebration of the holiday begins after sundown on the 14th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar, around the time of the vernal equinox. Passover is observed in Israel for 7 days as proscribed in the Hebrew Testament; it is celebrated for 8 days outside of Israel. Consequently, Jews in Israel observe only 1 Seder and Jews in the Diaspora celebrate the Passover Seder on the first two nights.

Click here To Learn How To Set A Seder Plate.

Preparing for Passover

Before celebrations can begin the house must be cleaned from top to bottom to remove any traces of chametz from the home.

This commemorates the Jews leaving Egypt who did not have time to let their bread rise, but also symbolises removing arrogance, pride from their souls. The day before Passover begins there is a ritual search for chametz in every home. The children usually join in with great enthusiasm.

A Jew may not eat chametz or derive benefit from it during Passover. He may not even own it or feed it to animals.

Any chametz in his possession, or utensils used to prepare food with chametz, have to be temporarily 'sold' to non-Jews. They can be bought back after the holiday.

The Fast of the Firstborn

The day before Passover begins the Fast of the Firstborn is observed. All first born males fast on this day to celebrate their escape from the Plague of the First Born.

The Synagogue

Passover began as a ceremony celebrated in the home, but once the Jews settled in Jerusalem they constructed the Temple and the celebrations moved there.

After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Passover celebrations returned to the home.

Today, Passover celebrations continue to be focussed on the home. This makes Passover the most popular Jewish holiday. Families travel great distances to be together at Passover.

Passover Readings

In the synagogue there are special readings for each day of the festival.

On the first day the Passover the story from Exodus is told.

On following days, readings tell of the celebrations after the Children of Israel had crossed the River Jordan; of Moses receiving the 10 Commandments and God's covenant with Israel; of the resurrection of the valley of dry bones symbolising the spiritual rebirth of Israel; of the departure from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea; and a summary of the laws and rituals for Passover.

On the last day of Passover a passage from the Book of Isaiah is read which tells of the Messianic era or 'Passover of the Future'.