Passover (Pesach): Meaning, Traditions, and When It’s Celebrated

What Is Passover?

Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays. It marks the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. More than a historical anniversary, Passover is an annual practice of collective memory: retelling the story, tasting symbolic foods, and drawing personal meaning from the journey from oppression to freedom.

Jewish tradition uses several names for the holiday, each highlighting a facet of its meaning:

Pesach (Passover): Refers to God “passing over” the Israelite homes during the final plague.
Chag HaMatzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread): Emphasizes eating matzah to recall the haste of leaving Egypt.
Z’man Cheiruteinu (Season of Our Freedom): Focuses on the enduring value of human freedom.

When Is Passover Celebrated?

Passover begins at sundown on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of spring in the Hebrew (lunar-solar) calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, it typically falls in March or April. The holiday lasts:

Seven days in Israel and most Reform communities worldwide.
Eight days in the diaspora among Orthodox and Conservative communities (this includes a second Seder on night two).

Because the Hebrew calendar is lunar-solar and includes leap months, dates shift each year. Always check a current Jewish calendar for your location and time zone.

Upcoming start dates (at sundown)

2025: April 12
2026: April 1
2027: April 21
2028: April 10
2029: March 31
2030: April 18

Note: Local calendars may show a one-day difference due to time zones and community practice. The holiday concludes at nightfall on day seven (Israel/Reform) or day eight (diaspora Orthodox/Conservative).

Core Themes and Symbols

Passover is built around ideas that are as relevant now as they were in ancient times: freedom from oppression, gratitude, moral responsibility, and welcoming the stranger. These themes come alive through symbolic foods and storytelling.

The Seder Plate: What Each Item Means

Matzah: Unleavened bread symbolizing the haste of leaving Egypt and humility.
Maror (bitter herbs): The bitterness of slavery.
Charoset: A sweet mixture (often apples, nuts, wine) recalling mortar used by enslaved Israelites.
Karpas (a green vegetable): Springtime renewal; dipped in salt water to symbolize tears.
Zeroa (roasted shank bone): The Passover offering once brought in the Temple; some families use a roasted beet as a vegetarian symbol.
Beitzah (roasted egg): Mourning for the destroyed Temple and a sign of new life.

Many families also place a cup for Elijah (hope for redemption) and, in some homes, a cup for Miriam (honoring women’s roles and the wellspring of resilience).

How the Seder Works

The Seder is a structured yet creative meal designed to prompt questions, especially from children. It follows the Haggadah (“telling”), a guide that weaves together blessings, songs, questions, narrative, and symbolic tastes.

Key Seder moments

Lighting candles and making Kiddush over the first of four cups of wine or grape juice.
Dipping vegetables, breaking the middle matzah (hiding the afikoman), and asking the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah).
Retelling the Exodus, exploring the Four Children, and acknowledging the Ten Plagues.
Eating matzah and maror, then the festive meal.
Finding and “redeeming” the afikoman for dessert, welcoming Elijah, singing Hallel and traditional songs.

Children stay engaged with hands-on props, simple explanations, and short activities. Many families personalize the Seder with contemporary readings on freedom, inclusion, and justice.

What Foods Are Eaten — and Avoided

The Torah prohibits eating chametz (leavened grain) during Passover. Traditional practice also avoids owning chametz, which is why homes are cleaned and pantries reorganized before the holiday.

Chametz and the “Five Grains”

Chametz is any food made from wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye that has come into contact with water long enough to ferment and rise.
Matzah is made quickly from flour and water so it does not leaven.

Kitniyot: Different Community Customs

Ashkenazi custom traditionally avoids kitniyot (legumes, rice, corn, and certain seeds) during Passover; many Sephardic communities permit them.
Some Conservative communities now permit kitniyot; families should follow their rabbi’s guidance and community norms.

Shopping and Label Tips

Look for “Kosher for Passover” certification, especially on processed foods.
Plain, fresh produce, eggs, unflavored dairy, and most raw meats are generally fine if prepared in a chametz-free kitchen.
For gluten-free needs, check labels carefully; oat matzah is available but may not be suitable for all with celiac disease. Ask a rabbi or dietitian for guidance.

Preparing Your Home: Step-by-Step

Think of preparation as a practical and meaningful reset. A simple checklist helps you stay organized and calm.

2–4 weeks before

Plan menus, guest list, and budget; order or borrow Haggadot.
Set aside a donation for ma’ot chittim (charity to help others afford Passover).
Inventory cookware; separate or kasher items you’ll use for Passover according to your tradition.

1 week before

Finish buying shelf-stable Passover groceries.
Declutter and clean main eating areas; rotate remaining chametz to the front for easy use-up.

Night before Passover: Bedikat Chametz

After nightfall, hide a few pieces of chametz, recite the blessing, and search by candle or flashlight. Families often make this a fun, kid-friendly ritual.

Morning of Erev Pesach: Bi’ur Chametz and Final Prep

Burn the found chametz and recite the nullification declaration.
Finish cooking and table setup; remember that certain pre-Passover fasts or meal limits may apply depending on local custom.

If Erev Pesach falls on Shabbat

The schedule shifts: chametz search is Thursday night, burning is Friday morning, and Shabbat meals use minimal chametz or non-crumbly workarounds. Consult a local calendar for exact times.

During the Holiday: Services and Special Days

First and last days are full festival days (Yom Tov) with candle lighting, festive meals, and synagogue services; in the diaspora, the last day includes Yizkor (memorial prayers).
Chol HaMoed are the intermediate days, ideal for outings, learning, and family time.
The counting of the Omer begins the second night and continues for 49 nights, leading to Shavuot.
Traditional readings include the Song of Songs on Shabbat Chol HaMoed.

For Families, Guests, and Educators

Hosting with care

Ask about dietary needs in advance; offer vegetarian or kitniyot-friendly options if appropriate for your community.
Print a few Haggadah copies with large fonts and clear cues for first-time participants.
Keep rituals moving with brief explanations, child-led questions, and songs between courses.

Attending as a guest

Bring a kosher-for-Passover dessert, flowers, or wine/grape juice if the host says it’s helpful.
It’s fine to ask what to wear and how the family customarily participates.

Supporting students and schools

Some students may be absent for travel or religious observance; schools can provide flexible deadlines and alternative assignments.
In-class activities can include tasting permissible foods, exploring the Seder plate, and age-appropriate storytelling about freedom and empathy.

Greetings and Phrases

“Chag Sameach” (Happy festival) or “Pesach Sameach” (Happy Passover) are warmly appropriate.
“Moadim L’Simcha” is used during the intermediate days.

Practical Questions About Work and School

In Israel, the first and last days are public holidays; many workplaces and schools close for part or all of the week.
Outside Israel, closures vary by country, region, and school system; Jewish day schools typically close, while public schools usually remain open.
Employees may request time off for the first Seder (night) and first festival day; diaspora communities may also observe the second Seder and an additional last day.

What is the origin of Passover?
When is Passover celebrated across the world?

What is the origin of Passover?

According to the book of Exodus, the angel of death was to visit the homes of the ancient Egyptians and kill all firstborn males. The action was to start with Pharaoh’s son, followed by other Egyptians. God instructed Moses to prepare to leave Egypt after the 10th plague. Moses called the elders of Israel and gave them the instructions, which included choosing a one-year-old animal without any blemishes. The animal was to be killed on the 14th day of the month, its blood smeared on two doorposts and lintels of the Israelites’ houses, and its meat was to be eaten after it was roasted. Roasting was considered the easiest way to cook meat. The people were also instructed to remain indoors during the entirety of the night so that when the angel of death passed by, no harm would befall them.

On the 14th day of the month of Nisan, the angel of death passed over the Israelites’ homes sparing them, while killing the firstborn males in Egyptian homesteads. The son of Pharaoh and other sons of the nation, including the sons of slaves in the Egyptian houses, were all killed. It is believed that after the 10th plague, the Pharaoh had a change of heart and released the Israelites from slavery.

When is Passover celebrated across the world?

The Passover feast takes place on the 15th day of the month of Nisan according to the Hebrew calendar, which coincides with the months of March or April in the Gregorian calendar. It is a spring festival and therefore starts on the second full moon after the vernal equinox. To ensure that the festival was carried out during the right time, the Jews had to wait until the barley had ripened before deciding whether spring had actually arrived. However, from the 4th century, the date has been calculated mathematically and is therefore constant.

Passover marks the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a ceremony that is observed and recognized as a holy day across the entirety of Israel. The festival is only adhered to by Jews as a majority of Christians do not hold to the beliefs that are commonly associated with it. In fact, Christians observe Good Friday which is believed to have its roots from the Feast of Passover.

In Islam, the Sunni Sect believes that according to tradition, the Jews of Madinah used to fast during the 10th day of Muharram in commemoration of Passover. Generally, this day falls on the Day of Ashura, where Sunni Muslims fast in celebration of Moses and his followers being saved from the Pharaoh during the Exodus when God created a path in the Red Sea. Common traditions associated with this holiday include:

Unleavened bread

All Jews that observe this holiday remove all leavened food products (Chametz) from their homes before the holiday, a tradition which dates back to the 5th century BCE in Elephantine, Egypt. The individuals are also expected not to eat any leavened foods during the entirety of the period. Instead of eating a normal bread, they are expected to consume a flatbread that is commonly called the Matzo.

According to Jewish belief, the Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that they did not have enough time to allow their bread to rise. Some people also believe that Matzo was chosen since it was considered easier to carry through the desert as compared to the leavened bread. According to some scholars, the rule to abstain from leavened food or yeast denotes that the sacrifices offered to God involved the use of objects in their least changed forms that would be closer to the state when God initially created them.

Seder

During the first two nights of Passover, families and friends gather for a religious feast called the Seder. When having the meal, the story of Passover is told and read aloud from a special text called the Haggadah. The families gathered to engage in rituals that correspond to different aspects of the narrative being performed. Some of the rituals commonly performed include dipping vegetables into salty water. This is done to show the tears Jews shed during their time of enslavement. The bitter herbs (maror) that they eat during the ceremony also show the unpleasant years during their bondage. Other foods that are common during the Seder include the Matzo Kugel (a pudding made of matzo and apples).

Afikomen

In many families, children enjoy hunting for the afikomen which is a piece of matzo that has been hidden and has to be searched for. This ritual was added to the Passover Feasts to make the ritual more interesting and engaging.

Lamb

Additionally, the main component of Passover based on Judaism is the sacrificial lamb as mentioned in the books Numbers 9:11, Exodus 12:6-9, and Exodus 12:46, 23:18. This is because the sacrifice was considered as a sacred offering. Moreover, during the Seder meal, four cups of wine ought to be consumed by both men and women. The ceremony brings families together as most people travel and stay with their families while performing the rituals. This day reminds Jews of how far they have come since their exodus from Egypt and as such they reflect on the boundless mercies that God showed them during that period and afterward. To the conservative Jews, the ceremony shows the power of Yahweh over all gods and justifies their belief that there is only one God. Across the world, the ceremony is carried out on the same day. However, the conservative Jews engage in the feast of unleavened bread for an extra day compared to other observers of the Jewish faith.

Why do some people celebrate 7 days and others 8 days?

In Israel and most Reform communities, Passover lasts seven days, following the Torah’s instruction for the Land of Israel. In the diaspora, Orthodox and Conservative Jews traditionally observe eight days due to historical calendar practices that added an extra day to ensure correct festival timing.

Can non-Jewish guests attend a Seder?

Yes. Many families warmly welcome friends and relatives of all backgrounds. The Seder is an educational, participatory meal; hosts may guide guests about when to read, taste, or pass items, and can provide a brief overview of customs beforehand.

What foods are not allowed on Passover, and what about legumes (kitniyot)?

Chametz (leavened wheat, barley, spelt, oats, or rye) is prohibited. Ashkenazi custom traditionally also avoids kitniyot (rice, corn, legumes), while most Sephardic communities permit them; some Conservative communities now allow kitniyot. When in doubt, follow your family’s or rabbi’s guidance and read “Kosher for Passover” labels.

How do I prepare my home if I’m short on time?

Prioritize the kitchen and eating areas, use up or seal and sell remaining chametz, and stock a few versatile staples: eggs, produce, proteins, and matzah. A compact Haggadah and a simple Seder plate are more than enough for a meaningful experience.

What’s the proper greeting, and how do I wish someone well?

“Chag Sameach” or “Pesach Sameach” are perfect. You can also say, “Wishing you a sweet and meaningful Passover” or “May your Seder be joyful and your holiday restful.”