Passover or Pesah, an eight day holiday (seven days in Israel) which begins on the 15th of Nissan, is observed in commemoration of the Jews's redemption from slavery and subsequent exodus from Egypt in the thirteenth century BCE. While Passover (so-called because God is said to have "passed over" the homes of Jews the evening before delivering them from slavery) spans over an eight day period, only the first two and last two days are full-holidays. The middle four days are referred to hol ha-Moed or "secular days of the holiday" since Jews are permitted to work on these day.
Evidence concerning the observance of Passover dates back to the first millenium BCE. During the First and Second Temple periods, Jews were required to sacrifice a paschal lamb or pesah on the evening of the 14th of Nissan, the day before Passover began. Contemporary accounts reveal that millions of Jews would go to Jerusalem during this time in order to perform this sacrifice. The pesah sacrifice was eliminated, however, after the destruction of the Second Temple.
The importance of the Passover holiday is inherent in the fact that, in accordance with the Torah, it is the only holiday where Jews are required to retell in detail the events surrounding the holiday. This recounting of the Passover story takes place during the holiday meal or seder, which is held on the first two nights of Passover. In Israel, and in the Reform tradition, however, the seder is conducted only on the first day. The seder service is conducted in accordance with the Passover haggadah, or narration. Near the beginning of the seder, the youngest child asks four questions (Ma Nistanah) concerning the meaning of Passover. The adults then respond to these questions by explaining the history and symbolism surrounding this holiday.
As prescribed in the hagaddah, the Passover service contains many rituals. In commemoration of the four expressions of redemption in the Book of Exodus, for example, four glasses of wine are typically consumed during the meal. Jews are also required to eat matzah or unleavened bread as a reminder of the kind of bread which their forefathers had to eat after they left Egypt in a hurry. Harosset, a mixture of almonds, apples, and wine is consumed as a reminder of the mortar which the Jews used to build buildings in Egypt. In addition, it is common for Jews to leave a full cup of wine on the table for Elijah, who is said to be the herald of the messiah. It is traditional that the children at the seder leave the table to open the door for Elijah, and upon their return, the cup is empty, signifying that Elijah has been in the home.
Passover is the only holiday for which the Torah specifically states which foods may or may not be eaten. Most importantly, Jews are not permitted to eat hamez or leavened bread during any time over the Passover holiday. On the day before Passover, Jews must cleanse their home of hamez. Kitchen wear must be either baked or boiled in order to eliminate all traces of leavened bread.
Several prayer services are held at the synagogue throughout Passover. On the first day of Passover, a special prayer for dew is said. On the Sabbath of Passover, the Song of Songs is recited by Ashkenazi Jews. On the final day of the holiday, a concluding prayer called Hazkarat Neshamot is said.
The history and traditions surrounding the Passover holiday tend to remind Jews of the collective history which they share. Consequently, perhaps in an attempt to experience a sense of belonging, many Jews feel the urge to reunite with their families on this holiday. Next to the High Holidays, Passover is the holiday when Jews are most-likely to travel long distances in order to be with their loved-ones. In addition, it is customary for Jews to invite to their seder individuals, whom they know have no one with which, to prepare a seder of their own.
Pictures of Seder Plates
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