Passover 2024: This year, the First Day of Passover falls on April 5, which is the fifteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan. Passover or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called “Pesach” in Hebrew, traditionally begins in late March or early April on the Gregorian calendar. Considered one of the oldest in history, this holiday marks the beginning of the seven- or eight-day Jewish Passover ritual. Three thousand years ago, the festival commemorates the liberation and departure of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.
Holy Week has special significance this year because both Passover and Easter occur.
The Jewish holiday honours the biblical account of Exodus, in which God liberated the Israelites from Egypt. The eight-day celebration of Passover begins with an evening Seder, a traditional meal consisting of very specific foods and wines. Readings from the “Haggadah,” which tells the story of the holiday, accompany this meal. Family, Jewish history, social justice, and liberty are among the themes explored.
According to the Hebrew calendar, the date of Passover changes annually. In 2024, it occurs on April 5.
Read on for Seder recipes and the traditional “Four Questions.”
HISTORY OF PASSOVER
Passover is the most widely observed Jewish holiday. It commemorates the Israelites’ liberation and exodus from Egypt more than 3,300 years ago. Jews are required to observe Passover for seven days, commencing on the 15th of the Hebrew month Nisan, which typically falls between late March and early April.
On the first evening of Passover, Jews gather with close family and friends for a Passover Seder (ritual dinner). Jews outside of Israel also hold a second seder on the second Passover evening. At the feast, they also read the “Haggadah,” which recounts the story of the Jews’ liberation from slavery, and drink a cup of wine at specific points in the narrative. During the reading of the “Haggadah,” 15 symbolic foods are consumed during the traditional Passover Seder, which are served on a special plate and consumed at different stages.
National Maritime Day 2024: Date, History, Theme and Facts
Qingming Festival 2024: Date, History, Significance and Why This Festival is Vital
Peeps Day 2024: Date, History, Activities and Interesting Facts
BACKGROUND
Matzos (unleavened bread, symbolising the Israelites’ hasty departure from Egypt), maror (bitter herbs, symbolising the mistreatment and agony the Jews endured during slavery), chazeret (bitter lettuce, typically romaine), and charoset are included on the Passover Seder plate (a brown-textured nut and fruit paste). Other items include karpas (a vegetable dipped in salt water or vinegar, such as parsley or celery), beitzah (a hard-boiled egg), and zeroa, or z’ora (a roasted goat, chicken, or lamb bone). The final two items symbolise the sacrifice offered in the Jerusalem Temple.
Participants pray and sing at the conclusion of the seder, and they rest during the day to commemorate their freedom.
HOW TO OBSERVE PASSOVER
Try making matzah
Matzah (unleavened flatbread) may appear intimidating to prepare, but it is actually quite simple. Simply use Passover-specific flour, water, salt, and oil.
Learn about Exodus
The second book of the Old Testament describes how Moses led the Israelites out of slavery and into the wilderness on their way to Mount Sinai.
Cleanse your home prior to Passover
This is to make your home kosher for the upcoming holiday. Be sure to clean all of the hard-to-reach areas that you normally overlook!
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PASSOVER
Passover, or Pesach, is also known as Chag HaMatzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread), Chag Ha Herut (Festival of Freedom), and Chag Ha-Aviv (Festival of Jerusalem) (Festival of Spring).
The largest matzah on the planet
In August 2009, Noah’s Ark Original Deli in New York City produced the world’s largest matzah ball, which according to Guinness World Records measured 29.2 inches in diameter and weighed 267 pounds.
Maxwell House’s “Haggadah”
The Passover “Haggadah” published by coffee company Maxwell House is the most widely distributed “Haggadah” in the United States, with over 60 million copies in circulation as of April 2020.
The largest seder is held in Kathmandu”
Each year, over one thousand people from all over the world attend the largest Passover Seder in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Cup and chair for Elijah
For the prophet Elijah, whom Jews believe will one day return to announce the arrival of the Messiah, a fifth, unfinished cup of wine is poured ceremonially (and left unfinished).
WHY PASSOVER IS CRITICAL
Children play a significant role when Jews recount the Passover story at the Seder. For asking questions and participating in sacred traditions, children receive treats. The rituals of the First Day of Passover include the four questions asked by children. Typically, the youngest member of the family asks the four traditional questions about the Passover Seder and why the first night of the festival is unique. Tradition dictates that children also find or steal the afikomen, a hidden piece of matzo to be eaten as dessert later. If a child steals or attempts to steal the afikomen, the adults must negotiate his or her release with sweets, toys, or other small prizes.
Historic foods
Guests partake in an assortment of ancient foods during the Seder. This includes z’roa, a bone from a roasted lamb shank or chicken wing, and haroset, an apple, cinnamon, honey, and sweet wine mixture. For the prophet Elijah, whom Jews believe will one day return to announce the arrival of the Messiah, a fifth, unfinished cup of wine is poured ceremonially (and left unfinished). Guests drink four glasses of red wine at the Seder. Despite the fact that this wine can be sweet and syrupy, there are now numerous delicious, high-quality kosher options available.
A tale of liberty and liberation
Passover is a celebration of freedom, independence, and a new life for Jews. The Israelites had endured difficult conditions in Egypt for many years. Passover and the First Day of Passover commemorate their liberation from slavery, torture, and hard labour more than three thousand years ago.
PASSOVER DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 15 | Friday |
| 2023 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 22 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 12 | Saturday |
