What do Jewish people do on Passover? Passover, also known as Pesach, is one of the most important Jewish holidays that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is a time of reflection, celebration, and the retelling of the Exodus story. Here’s a closer look at the traditions and rituals that make Passover a unique and meaningful experience for Jewish families around the world.
Passover is celebrated for seven or eight days, depending on whether it falls during a leap year. The celebration begins with a special Seder meal, which is the focal point of the holiday. The Seder, which means “order” in Hebrew, is a ritualized meal that follows a specific order of events, each with its own significance.
One of the most notable aspects of the Seder is the use of a Seder plate, which holds several symbolic foods. These include the matzah, a unleavened bread that represents the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt; the maror, which symbolizes the bitterness of slavery; the karpas, a green vegetable that represents new growth; the charoset, a mixture of fruits, nuts, and wine that represents the mortar used by the Israelites in their labor; the egg, which symbolizes the festival offering; and the z’roa, a roasted shank bone or chicken wing that represents the Paschal lamb.
Before the Seder meal begins, the participants recite the Magid, a narrative that tells the story of the Exodus. This is followed by the Karpas, which is dipped in salt water to represent the tears of the Israelites during slavery. The next step is the Kadesh, a prayer over the wine, which is then consumed by all present.
The Seder continues with the Urchatz, a ritual washing of the hands, and the Karpas, which is dipped in a mixture of salt water and eaten. The next course is the Killef, a fish dish that represents the Paschal lamb, which was traditionally eaten on the first night of Passover. The meal then continues with the Matzah, which is eaten in three pieces, representing the three classes of people in ancient Israel: the Levi, the Israelite, and the stranger.
The Seder plate also contains the Afikomen, a piece of matzah that is hidden and then found by the youngest child during the meal. This represents the bread that was left behind by the Israelites as they left Egypt. The Afikomen is then eaten at the end of the meal, symbolizing the sweetness of freedom.
Throughout the Seder, there are several songs and prayers that are recited, including the Haggadah, a book that contains the order of the Seder and the prayers. The Haggadah also includes the story of the Exodus, as well as commentary and explanations of the various rituals and symbols.
In addition to the Seder meal, Passover is also a time of cleaning and preparation. Jewish families typically clean their homes thoroughly to remove all traces of chametz, which is any food or product that has been leavened. This includes bread, pasta, and other baked goods, which are replaced with unleavened foods such as matzah.
Passover is a time for Jewish families to come together, share stories, and celebrate their heritage. It is a time of reflection on the past, a time of hope for the future, and a time of joy in the freedom that has been granted to the Jewish people throughout history. Whether they are celebrating in a traditional Jewish home or in a community setting, the rituals and traditions of Passover are a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the Jewish people.
