Passover, also known as Pesach, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is typically celebrated over eight days in the spring, usually in March or April. Here is a brief overview of how Passover is celebrated around the world:
- Preparing the Home: Prior to Passover, Jewish families clean their homes thoroughly to remove any trace of chametz, which is any food made from grains that have been leavened. They also typically sell, give away, or donate any chametz that they will not be using during the holiday.
- Seder: The Seder is a ritual meal that takes place on the first two nights of Passover. It involves telling the story of the Exodus from Egypt, reading from the Haggadah, a text that guides the Seder, and eating symbolic foods, including matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), and charoset (a mixture of apples, nuts, and wine).
- Dietary Restrictions: During Passover, there are several dietary restrictions that observant Jews follow, including not eating any chametz or anything that may have come into contact with chametz. Instead, they eat matzah and other foods that are kosher for Passover.
- Special Prayers and Observances: Throughout Passover, there are special prayers and observances, including reciting Hallel, a series of psalms of praise, and refraining from work on the first two and last two days of the holiday.
- Yizkor: On the last day of Passover, a special memorial service called Yizkor is held to remember loved ones who have passed away.
Overall, Passover is a holiday filled with symbolism, tradition, and storytelling, and it is a time for Jewish families to come together and celebrate their shared history and heritage.
How is Passover celebrated in Israel?
Passover is a major Jewish festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover is celebrated in Israel with great enthusiasm and is an important holiday for the Jewish community.
Here is how Passover is celebrated in Israel:
- Cleaning and Preparation: Before Passover begins, Jewish families in Israel thoroughly clean their homes to remove all traces of chametz (leavened bread). Chametz is not permitted during Passover, and so all bread, pasta, and other grain-based products are removed from the home. Additionally, new dishes and utensils are often purchased for use during the holiday.
- Seder Night: The first two nights of Passover are celebrated with a Seder meal, which is a special family gathering to retell the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery. The Seder meal is accompanied by the reading of the Haggadah, which is a book that contains the story of the Exodus and the rituals that are performed during the Seder.
- Matzah: During Passover, Jews in Israel eat matzah, which is an unleavened bread that is made from flour and water. Matzah symbolizes the Israelites’ hurried departure from Egypt and their lack of time to allow their bread to rise.
- Kosher for Passover: During Passover, all food must be “Kosher for Passover.” This means that it must be prepared and cooked in accordance with Jewish dietary laws, and it must not contain any chametz.
- Seven-Day Festival: Passover is a seven-day festival in Israel. During this time, work is forbidden on the first and last two days of the holiday. Jewish families often spend time together during the holiday, and many people travel to be with family members who live far away.
Overall, Passover is a joyous and meaningful holiday in Israel that is celebrated with family, friends, and traditional rituals.
