April 22 – Passover

nPostednon April 22, 2016

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nTodaynat sunset the Jewish festival of Passover (or Pesach) starts – andnit continues until sunset on either Friday (April 29) or Saturdayn(April 30). The dates follow the Jewish calendar, so Passover fallsnon different dates different years – but typically sometime innMarch or April.

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nScholarsnsay that Passover started as a ceremony meant to keep a family’s homensafe. But the ancient Biblical story of an Exodus of Jewish peoplenout of Egypt – after being liberated from years of slavery – gaventhe holiday a lot of traditions and meaning. n

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Passovernis sometimes called the feast of unleavened bread. Matzo is flat,nunleavened bread that is traditionally eaten during the week-longncelebration. Many Jewish families remove all “chametz,” productsnthat contain one of five types of grains and leavening, during anthorough housecleaning (a sort of spring cleaning). Other Jewishnfamilies segregate all the chametz, putting it in one cupboard thatncan be locked up during Passover. The food can be ritually sold tonnon-Jews, and then purchased back again at the end of Passover.

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nAnspecial dinner is held on the first night of Passover (and sometimes other nights as well). Called anseder, the dining table is generally set with the best china andnsilverware; the youngest member of the family asks four ritualnquestions, prompting the telling of the story of the Exodus fromnEgypt; special foods are served with ritualized washing of hands,nblessings, and other traditions.

On a traditional Seder plate, there is a shank
bone, an egg, bitter herbs, “paste” (a mixture
of apples, nuts, and wine), a vegetable,
and lettuce. Each item symbolizes
something important to the Passover story.

nLearnn more about Passover at Jewish Kids.

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nAlsonon this date:

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