All About Passover

Every year, on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, Jews worldwide commemorate the birth of the Jewish nation by celebrating Passover.

After 410 years of slavery in Egypt, Moses told Pharaoh that he must "Let My People Go." Each time Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites, God brought another plague upon the Egyptians. The tenth and final plague was the death of firstborn children. In executing this plague, God passed through the land of Egypt, but "passed over" Jewish homes. Thus, the holiday is called Passover. The Israelites were then released from bondage. But the Israelites only truly became free when, 50 days after the Exodus, they accepted the Torah from God at Mount Sinai. Thus, the Jewish nation was born. Every Passover, we are commanded to tell the Passover story.

Given this and other special mitzvot (commandments) Jews must perform on Passover, a Passover Seder is held. During the Seder, Jews relive the story of the Exodus as if they themselves are going from slavery to freedom.

Given the special dietary restrictions of Passover, specifically no chametz, a whole new set of Passover recipes are needed.

Given that a special Passover vocabulary is used during the holiday, this Passover glossary may come in handy.

On Passover we celebrate more than just a historical event. We celebrate our freedom as Jews. Just as God redeemed our ancestors from bitter slavery, today God redeems us from evil and grants us moral freedom. Just as God granted our ancestors the Ten Commandments, today God expects us to realize the purpose of having been the chosen recipients of these laws.