Passover 2025 will take place from April 12 to Sunday, April 20. This Jewish holiday commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and is observed on the fifteenth day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar.
Passover: What Is It?
Pesach, another name for Passover, is one of the most important Jewish holidays. Moses’ leadership of the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt is revered. Jews get the opportunity to consider their history, beliefs, and challenges over this week-long observance.
How Do We Celebrate Passover?
The Seder supper, a unique get-together of family and friends, marks the start of the holiday. Throughout the Seder, the Haggadah—which tells the story of Exodus and includes poetry, prayers, and teachings—is read aloud.
A Seder plate has six symbolic items that represent various aspects of the Exodus story:
- Beitzah (Hard-boiled egg): Symbolizes the festival sacrifice and spring season.
- Chazeret (Lettuce): Represents the bitterness of slavery.
- Zeroa (Shank bone): Represents the Paschal lamb, sacrificed during biblical times.
- Charoset (Apple, nuts, wine mixture): Represents the mortar used by Hebrew slaves in Egypt.
- Karpas (Celery/parsley): Represents tears shed during slavery.
- Maror (Bitter herbs): Typically horseradish, representing the bitterness of oppression.
Along with the Seder plate, Matzah (unleavened bread) and wine are consumed during the celebration.
What Foods Are Eaten (and Not Eaten) During Passover?
During Passover, most Jews avoid eating chametz, or foods made from fermented grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats, and spelt). This includes bread, pasta, cookies, and most baked goods. This practice recalls the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt, where they had no time to let their bread rise, so they ate Matzah, a flat unleavened bread.
Matzah is made from flour and water, and it must be baked within 18 minutes to avoid fermentation.
Passover Greetings
When greeting someone for Passover, you can say “Happy Passover” or the Hebrew phrase “Chag Sameach” (Happy Holiday). For a more formal greeting, say “Chag Kasher V’Sameach”, which means “Have a happy and kosher Passover.”
Source: USA Today
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