Jessie Taylor
Passover, or Pesach, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the freedom of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is a spring festival that always begins on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year. The festival lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days outside of the country. The Rabbinical Jewish calendar is adjusted to align with the solar calendar, ensuring that the 15th of Nisan falls on a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. The date of Passover in the secular calendar usually falls in April, sometimes in late March.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Passover, or Pesach |
| Date | Begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (also known as Nissan) |
| Secular Calendar Date | Usually falls in April, sometimes in late March |
| Hebrew Calendar Date | Nissan 15-22 |
| Secular Calendar Date Example | In 2025, begins before sundown on 12 April and ends after nightfall on 20 April |
| Hebrew Calendar Date Example | In Hebrew Year 5786 (2026), begins at sundown on 1 April and ends at nightfall on 9 April |
| Duration | 7 days in Israel, 8 days outside of Israel |
| Holiday Type | Religious (Jewish) |
| Holiday Purpose | Celebrates the freedom and redemption of the Jewish people from slavery |
| Holiday Purpose Details | Commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt |
| Holiday Traditions | Seder feast on the first two nights of Passover (first night in Israel) |
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What You'll Learn
- Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery
- The holiday falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-22
- It lasts seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel
- The Seder feast is held on the first two nights of Passover
- Leaven, or chametz in Hebrew, is made from grains combined with water
Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery
Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a significant Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt and the "passing over" of God's forces of destruction. It is a celebration of freedom, justice, and compassion, inviting reflection on the power of freedom and hope in people's lives. The holiday is deeply rooted in Jewish history and values, emphasizing the importance of standing against oppression, defending the vulnerable, and caring for those on the margins.
The holiday of Passover falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-21 or 22, with the Rabbinical Jewish calendar adjusted to align with the solar calendar. In the Northern Hemisphere, this typically occurs in spring, between March and April in the Gregorian calendar. The date of Passover in the Hebrew year 5786, which translates to the year 2026 in the Gregorian calendar, is from April 1 to April 9.
Passover is also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Chag HaMatzot, symbolizing the haste with which the ancient Israelites fled Egypt during the Exodus. According to tradition, the Israelites were commanded to set aside a lamb four days before the Exodus and slaughter it on the 14th of Nisan, using its blood to mark their lintels and doorposts. They were to consume the lamb before midnight on the 15th of Nisan, the beginning of Passover. During the holiday, all leaven is prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzo, is consumed. Matzo symbolizes both the suffering of the Israelites in bondage and their hurried departure from Egypt.
The Seder, a beautifully choreographed meal, is held on the first and often the second night of Passover. It is an immersive learning experience guided by the Haggadah, a text that retells the Exodus story. The Seder includes four cups of wine, symbolizing the sweetness and joy of freedom, bitter herbs that remind participants of the sting of slavery, green vegetables symbolizing springtime renewal, and matzo. Each element of the Seder holds symbolic significance, and participants are encouraged to reflect on their personal journeys toward freedom and possibility.
The Exodus story remains a guiding ethical principle in Jewish life, emphasizing the biblical call to protect and empathize with strangers, as the Jewish people themselves once knew oppression. Passover is a time for Jewish people to come together and celebrate their freedom while remembering their responsibility to work for freedom and justice for all people.
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The holiday falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-22
The Jewish holiday of Passover, or Pesach, falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-22. It is an eight-day celebration that commemorates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt, as well as the birth of the Jewish nation.
The date of Nissan 15 holds significant meaning in the lead-up to Passover. Four days prior to the Exodus, the Hebrews were instructed to select a lamb for sacrifice and examine it daily. On the 14th of Nissan, they slaughtered the lamb and marked their door lintels and posts with its blood. Before midnight on the 15th of Nissan, they consumed the lamb.
Passover begins on the 15th of Nissan, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year. The Rabbinical Jewish calendar is adjusted to align with the solar calendar, ensuring that the 15th of Nissan always falls on a Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday. This adjustment allows for the observance of religious rituals and their connection to specific days of the week.
The celebration of Passover involves removing all leaven from possession for the week, consuming matzah, and recounting the story of redemption to the younger generation. By following these rituals, individuals can relive and experience the spiritual freedom attained by their ancestors.
The duration of Passover is observed differently inside and outside of Israel. While the Feast of Matzot, or the Festival of Unleavened Bread, lasts for seven days in Israel, it is observed for eight days in the Diaspora. This duration is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Numbers as "Pesach Sheni" or the "Second Passover."
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It lasts seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel
Passover, or Pesach, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the story of the Exodus and the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is a significant holiday in the Hebrew calendar, falling on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year.
The duration of Passover is seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel. This difference in duration has historical and religious roots. In ancient times, locations within two weeks' travel of Jerusalem, including other cities in Israel, easily received messages about the start of the holiday on the 15th of Nisan. However, faraway communities like Babylonia (modern-day Iraq) faced challenges due to the time it took for messengers to travel and uncertainties in determining the new month.
To ensure they observed the correct date, these distant communities began celebrating each yom tov for two days, resulting in an eight-day celebration of Passover. Over time, this tradition of an eight-day observance has continued outside of Israel for many Jewish communities, including Orthodox and Conservative Jews.
In contrast, all Jewish streams in Israel, including liberal, Orthodox, and secular groups, adhere to the Torah's calendar and observe each yom tov for one day, resulting in a seven-day celebration of Passover. This difference in duration reflects the varying interpretations and traditions within the Jewish faith, adapting to modern technology and geographical considerations.
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The Seder feast is held on the first two nights of Passover
The Seder feast is a ritual feast held at the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is conducted throughout the world on the eve of the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year. The day falls in late March or April of the Gregorian calendar.
The Seder feast is a time when Jews come together to remember their history and culture. The rituals and symbolic foods evoke the twin themes of the evening: slavery and freedom. The Haggadah states that "In every generation, everyone is obligated to see themselves as if they themselves came out of Egypt", emphasising the importance of remembering the Jewish people's liberation from slavery.
The most famous question asked during the Seder is the "Ma Nishtana", which means "Why is this night different from all other nights?". This question is typically asked by the youngest child and is followed by a historical review and discussion of the answers. The Seder feast is a significant part of the Passover celebration, providing an opportunity for Jews worldwide to connect with their heritage and traditions.
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Leaven, or chametz in Hebrew, is made from grains combined with water
The Torah prohibits the consumption of chametz during Passover, which is a Jewish holiday commemorating the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt. The holiday falls on the Hebrew calendar dates of Nissan 15-22, beginning before sundown on the 15th and lasting for seven or eight days. In the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Numbers mentions a "Second Passover" on the 14th of Iyar as a make-up day for those who could not offer sacrifices at the appointed time.
To comply with the Torah's prohibition of chametz during Passover, Jewish communities have adopted various practices. Ashkenazi Jews, for instance, refrain from products made from the five grains as well as kitniyot, which includes other grains and legumes like rice, corn, lentils, and beans. Some Sephardi Jews from Spain and North Africa have different restrictions, such as avoiding rice during Pesach.
The term chametz is derived from the Hebrew word for "leavening" and is specifically applied to products made from the five grains mentioned earlier. However, there is some debate about the use of chemical leaveners like baking soda in Passover baked goods. While yeast and baking soda themselves are not considered chametz, the fermented grains are. Therefore, matzo meal, which is already baked, can be used with baking soda to make certain dishes without the risk of fermentation.
The avoidance of chametz during Passover extends beyond food products. For example, some Hasidic Jews refrain from consuming wet matzo, including matzo balls and other matzo meal products. Additionally, utensils used with chametz may be sold to non-Jews during Passover and then bought back after the holiday, ensuring that chametz utensils do not remain in Jewish homes during the celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Passover, or Pesach, is celebrated every spring. It always begins on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days outside of Israel.
Passover commemorates the story of the Exodus and the freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt.
The Seder is a special meal that symbolizes the celebration of freedom and redemption. It is held on the first two nights of Passover (just the first night in Israel).
The Second Passover (Pesach Sheni) is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Numbers. It is a make-up day for those who could not offer the Passover sacrifice at the appropriate time due to ritual impurity or distance from Jerusalem.
