What is the meaning of the Jewish Passover?

Liberation from Egyptian enslavement is a central theme for Passover and for Jewish life. Freedom from oppression, whether for Jews or for others, makes Passover representative of the social justice values in Jewish tradition. Passover honors God’s liberating powers.

How many days is Passover for Reform Jews?

Passover is celebrated for either seven or eight days, depending on family and communal custom. In Israel and for most Reform Jews around the world, Passover is seven days, but for many other Jews, it is eight days. When is Passover? In 2021 , Passover starts on Saturday March 27th . Upcoming Passover dates include:

What do you need to know about Reform Judaism?

Central to Reform Jewish beliefs is the idea that all human beings are created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God, and that we are God’s partners in improving the world. Tikkun olam, the repair of our world, is a hallmark of Reform Judaism as we strive to bring about a world of justice, wholeness, and compassion.

How are the Seder and Haggadah arranged for Passover?

Seder means ‘order’ and the ceremonies are arranged in a specific order. Special plates and cutlery are used which are kept exclusively for Passover. The Haggadah is a book which tells in fourteen steps the story of the Jewish experience in Egypt and of the Exodus and revelation of God.

Passover, Hebrew Pesaḥ or Pesach, in Judaism, holiday commemorating the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction, or the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites, when the Lord “smote the land of Egypt” on the eve of the Exodus.

What is Passover and why do the Jewish people celebrate it?

The Jewish festival of Passover is a very special holiday that celebrates the Jewish peoples’ freedom from the pharaoh of Egypt over 3,000 years ago. It’s the oldest, continuously celebrated holiday of the Jewish calendar and runs for seven or eight days, depending on where you live.

How do Jewish celebrate the Passover?

Passover, otherwise known as Pesach in Hebrew, is regarded as one of the most important festivals in Judaism. Every year, Jewish families celebrate the festival by sitting around the Seder table and recounting how Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt following years of slavery.

Can I say Happy Passover?

Passover tells the story of the hardship the Jewish people faced in Egypt and while not every part of the seder is happy, it’s perfectly acceptable to send a loved one a message wishing them a “Happy Passover.” A person could also wish someone a “Happy Pesach,” as “Pesach” is Hebrew for “Passover.”

How long does the Jewish holiday of Passover last?

Passover (AKA Pesach) is the springtime holiday observed by Jewish people everywhere on the date when G‑d took the Jewish people out of Egypt. It lasts for eight days (seven days in Israel ), during which no bread, or anything that contains grain that has fermented, is to be consumed or even owned. Read: What Is Passover?

What is the story of the Passover in Hebrew?

The Story of Passover (Pesach) Passover, or Pesach (PEH-sach) in Hebrew, commemorates the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus to freedom. This story of redemption from slavery is the “master-story” of the Jewish People – a story that has shaped Jewish consciousness and values.

What do people do on the first night of Passover?

On the first two nights of Passover, families and friends gather for a religious feast known as a seder for the Jewish holiday. During the meal, the story of the exodus from Egypt is read aloud from a special text called the Haggadah (Hebrew for “telling”), and rituals corresponding to various aspects of the narrative are performed.

Why is matzah important to the Passover holiday?

Passover comes directly from the Torah, and commemorates the story of the ancient Hebrews’ Exodus from slavery in Egypt. Because they had to leave in a hurry, they didn’t have time for their bread to rise. That’s why matzah, a flat, cracker-like food, is one of the main symbols of the holiday, and an important food eaten during the week.