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Introduction
Pesach (Passover) is one of the most important Jewish festivals. It takes place in spring and lasts seven or eight days. It focuses on remembering the past, celebrating freedom, and passing traditions to the next generation.
What Pesach Commemorates
Pesach remembers the Exodus, when the Israelites escaped slavery in Egypt (Book of Exodus).
Key events and themes:
Slavery in Egypt: Jews remember their ancestors’ suffering.
The Ten Plagues: Especially the final plague, when God “passed over” Israelite homes and spared their firstborn.
‘On that same night, I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn – both men and animals – and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt.’ (Exodus 12)
Moses’ leadership: Moses led the Israelites out of slavery towards the Promised Land.
God’s miracles: Such as the parting of the Red Sea.
Formation of the Jewish nation: The start of the Israelites becoming a free people.
Being God’s chosen people: God promised to redeem them and be their God.
“I will free you from the labours of the Egyptians… I will redeem you with an outstretched arm… I will take you to be My people.” (Exodus 6)
Pesach has lasting importance because:
Jews were commanded to celebrate it.
It has been observed for thousands of years.
Each generation must pass the story on.
How Pesach Is Celebrated
Pesach is mainly a family festival, involving food, stories, and traditions.
Cleaning the home: Families remove all chametz (leavened bread) to remember how the Israelites left Egypt in haste. Many make this fun for children by hiding chametz to find.
‘For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day, remove yeast from your houses.’ (Exodus 12)
The Seder meal: Held on the first evening(s). Families read the Haggadah, retelling the Exodus story. Everyone takes part, including children.
Special foods: Jews eat matzah (unleavened bread).
Opening the door for Elijah: Symbolises hope that Elijah will come to announce the Messiah.
The festival is joyful and celebrates freedom, but also reminds Jews to care for those who still suffer. Many give charity during Pesach.
Symbolism in Pesach
Much of Pesach is symbolic, especially the Seder Plate.
Symbolism of the Seder Plate
Matzah: Reminds Jews of the quick escape from Egypt.
Maror (bitter herbs): Bitterness of slavery.
Charoset: The mortar used by Israelite slaves.
Karpas: New life and hope.
Zeroah (shank bone): Passover lamb from Temple times.
Beitzah (roasted egg): Mourning and new beginnings.
Other symbolic elements
Cup of Elijah: Hope for the Messiah.
“Next year in Jerusalem”: Hope for peace and unity.
Family involvement: Passing the story to the next generation.
Why Pesach Remains Important Today
Pesach continues to matter because it:
Reminds Jews to fight injustice and help the oppressed.
Strengthens Jewish identity and community.
Encourages trust in God’s care and protection.
Reinforces the belief that Jews have responsibilities towards others.
Summary
Pesach is a festival of freedom, faith, and family. By retelling the Exodus, sharing symbolic foods, and celebrating together, Jews remember their escape from slavery and the moment they became a free people under God.
Introduction
Pesach - known in English as Passover - is one of the most important and well-loved festivals in Judaism. It takes place in spring and lasts for seven or eight days, depending on the Jewish community. The festival focuses on remembering the past, celebrating freedom, and passing traditions on to the next generation.
What Pesach Commemorates
Pesach remembers the Exodus—the story of how the Israelites escaped slavery in ancient Egypt. This story is found in the Book of Exodus.
Key events and themes remembered at Pesach:
Slavery in Egypt: Jews remember the suffering and hard labour their ancestors endured.
The Ten Plagues: Especially the final one - the death of the first born, from which the Israelites were spared when God “passed over” their homes.
‘On that same night, I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn – both men and animals – and I will bring judgement on all the gods of Egypt.’ (Exodus 12)
Moses’ leadership: Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites to freedom and towards the Promised Land.
Miracles of God: Such as the parting of the Red Sea, which demonstrated God’s power and care.
The formation of the Jewish nation: Pesach marks the beginning of Israel becoming a free people and forming a national identity.
Being God’s chosen people: Jews remember that God promised to redeem them and be their God.
“I will free you from the labours of the Egyptians… I will redeem you with an outstretched arm… I will take you to be My people.” (Exodus 6)
Long-lasting importance
Jews were commanded to celebrate Pesach.
The festival has been kept for thousands of years, helping ensure the story is never forgotten.
Each generation has a duty to pass it on.
How Pesach Is Celebrated
Pesach is mainly a family festival, bringing everyone together to share food, stories and traditions.
Cleaning the home: Families remove all chametz (leavened bread). This reminds Jews of how their ancestors left Egypt quickly, without time for their bread to rise.
‘For seven days you are to eat bread made without yeast. On the first day, remove yeast from your houses.’ (Exodus 12)
This is often made enjoyable for children—sometimes chametz is hidden for them to find.
The Seder meal: Held on the first evening(s). It is the central celebration of Pesach.
Families read the Haggadah, which retells the Exodus story.
Everyone, including children, takes part.
Special foods: Only matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten instead of normal bread.
Opening the door for Elijah: Many Jews open the door filled with hope that Elijah the prophet will return to announce the coming of the Messiah.
The festival is joyful—celebrating freedom and God’s protection.
It is also a reminder to care for others who still suffer today. Many Jews donate food or money to support those in need, inspired by their own history of oppression.
Symbolism in Pesach
Much of Pesach is symbolic, especially the Seder Plate, which contains items linked to the events of the Exodus.
Symbolism of the Seder Plate
(Exact items vary slightly between communities.)
Matzah (unleavened bread): Reminds Jews of the haste of the escape from Egypt.
Maror (bitter herbs): Symbolises the bitterness of slavery.
Charoset (sweet paste): Represents the mortar used by Israelite slaves.
Karpas (a green vegetable): A sign of new life and hope.
Zeroah (shank bone): Symbolises the Passover lamb sacrificed in the Temple period.
Beitzah (roasted egg): A symbol of mourning and new beginnings.
Other symbolic elements
Cup of Elijah: Represents hope for the future and belief in the Messiah.
“Next year in Jerusalem”: A traditional phrase expressing longing for peace, unity and the Promised Land.
Family involvement: Symbolises passing on the story so it is never forgotten.
Why Pesach Remains Important for Jews Today
Pesach is not only about the past—it has ongoing meaning:
Reminds Jews to fight injustice, support the oppressed, and feed the hungry.
Strengthens Jewish identity and community.
Encourages optimism and trust that God cares for and protects His people.
Keeps alive the belief that God has given them responsibilities towards others.
Summary
Pesach is a festival of freedom, faith, and family tradition. By retelling the Exodus story, sharing symbolic foods and celebrating together, Jews keep alive one of the most important moments in their history—when they were freed from slavery and became a people united under God.