Passover: The Festival of Freedom

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The holiday begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora. During this time, Jews refrain from eating chametz (leavened bread) and instead eat matzah.

The name 'Passover' comes from the Torah's account of the tenth plague, when God 'passed over' the homes of the Israelites while striking the firstborn of Egypt.

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Using a special text called the Haggadah, families retell the story of the Exodus, eat symbolic foods from the Seder plate, drink four cups of wine, and answer the Four Questions asked by the youngest child.

Key elements include: matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (sweet paste), karpas (vegetable dipped in salt water), and the zeroa (shank bone).

Preparation for Passover involves removing all chametz from the home. This includes bread, pasta, cookies, and anything made with wheat, barley, oats, rye, or spelt that has been allowed to rise.

Many families do a thorough spring cleaning and have separate dishes, pots, and utensils used only during Passover. The night before the Seder, a ceremonial search for chametz (bedikat chametz) is conducted.

Some Jewish communities also avoid kitniyot (legumes, rice, and corn) during Passover, though this varies by tradition.

FAQ

When is Passover 2026?

Passover 2026 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, and ends at nightfall on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

Why do Jews eat matzah on Passover?

Jews eat matzah to remember that the Israelites left Egypt so quickly that their bread didn't have time to rise. Matzah symbolizes both the haste of the Exodus and the humility of freedom.

What are the Four Questions?

The Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah) are traditionally asked by the youngest child at the Seder, inquiring why this night is different from all other nights regarding eating matzah, bitter herbs, dipping foods, and reclining.

Can you work during Passover?

The first and last days of Passover (first two and last two in the Diaspora) are full holidays when work is traditionally prohibited. The intermediate days (Chol HaMoed) have more lenient restrictions.

What is the Seder plate?

The Seder plate holds six symbolic foods: zeroa (shank bone), beitzah (egg), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (sweet paste), karpas (vegetable), and chazeret (additional bitter herb). Each represents an aspect of the Exodus story.