What Is Passover?
The eight-day festival
of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, or March 27 - April 4, 2021.
Passover (known in Hebrew as Pesach, or to pass over) commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Pesach is observed by avoiding leaven and high- lighted by the Seder meals which include four cups of wine, eating matzo (unleavened flatbread) and bitter herbs, while retelling the story of the Exodus.
It is called Passover because G-d passed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn children on the very first Passover eve.
The Passover Story in a Nutshell
After many decades of slavery to the Egyptian pharaohs, during which time the Israelites were subjected to backbreaking labor and unbearable horrors, G-d saw the people’s distress and sent Moses to the king, or Pharaoh, with a message: “Send forth my people, so that they may serve me.”
But despite numerous warnings, the Pharaoh refused to heed G-d’s command. G-d then sent upon Egypt 10 devastating plagues, afflicting them and destroying everything, from their live- stock to their crops.
At the stroke of midnight of 15 Nissan in the year 2448 from creation, or 1313 BCE, G-d made the last of the 10 plagues on the Egyptians, killing all their firstborn.
While doing so, G-d spared the children of Israel, “passing over” their homes— hence the name of the holiday.
Pharaoh’s resistance was broken, and he chased his former slaves out of the land.
The Israelites left in such a hurry that the bread they baked as provisions for the journey did not have time to rise.
Six hundred thousand adult males, plus many more women and children, left Egypt on that day and began the trek to Mount Sinai and their birth as G-d’s chosen people.
In ancient times the Passover observance included the sacrifice of the paschal lamb, which was roasted and served at the Seder on the first night of the holiday.
This tradition lasted until the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in the first century.
Families all over the world celebrate Passover together.
This year might be slightly different due to Covid-19, but it will still be celebrated.
For more information about Passover go online.