Passover

Passover is a major Jewish holiday that occurs in the Spring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan. Also called Pesach, it is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals of the Jewish religion. It is traditionally celebrated in Israel for 7 days and for 8 days for Jews in the Diaspora, based on the concept of yom tov sheni shel galuyot. In the bible, Passover marks the exodus of the Children if Israel from Egyptain slavery, when God passed over the houses of the Israelites in the last of the ten plagues after they left lamb’s blood on their door. They were then told to eat the lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread while dressed for a journey. Unleavened bread is eaten as the Israelites were asked to leave so quickly after the ten plagues they didn’t have time to let the bread rise.

To prepare for the holiday, every speck of leaven must be removed from the house before celebrations begin. The day before Passover is when first born sons fast to remember the Plague of the Firstborn. On the first two nights of Passover, families and friends gather together to celebrate with a ritual seder meal. Special plate and cutlery are used, specific foods are eaten like Beitzah (hardboiled egg), Zeroa (shank bone), Karpas (vegetable), Maror (bitter herbs), Chazeret (bitter vegetable) and Charoset (mix of apple, nuts, spices and wine). There are 15 steps that need to be observed in order whilst taking part in the meal.

The last day of Passover is another full Jewish holidays, with the days in between being known as Chol HaMoed (festival weekdays). On the last day special prayer services and festive meals are held.