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The term Passover comes from the Bible, first mentioned in the book of Exodus. As God pronounced to the people of Israel enslaved in Egypt that he would free them, he said he would "Smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt." However, he instructed the Israelites to put a sign of lamb's blood on their door posts: "and when I see the blood, I will pass over you." (Exodus 12, King James Version). It came into the English language through William Tyndale's translation of the Bible. The original word in the Hebrew Torah is posach, hence Pesach.
Although the term itself is not mentioned until the Book of Exodus, there are indications that at least parts of the feast were observed in earlier times. For example, in Genesis 19:3 reference is made to "unleavened bread" without any reason given for it.
The two main commandments associated with the holiday are: eating matzoh, or unleavened bread; and the prohibition of eating any foods containing leavening during the holiday. In ancient times there was a third: the offering of a lamb in the evening on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Nisan (also known as Abib) and the eating that night of the Passover sacrifice. The commandments have since combined into a special Passover feast called the seder, celebrated on the first two evenings of the holiday (but only on the first evening in Israel). Other customs associated with Passover include eating bitter herbs and other foods at the seder celebration. While many reasons are given for eating matzoh, the most popular tradition is that it recalls the bread the Israelites ate at the time of the Exodus: in their rush to leave Egypt, they did not have time for the bread to rise.
There are many peoples throughout the world who celebrate the Passover feast. The customs vary for each culture. Though, as mentioned above, some may have celebrated this Feast before Israel existed, the Israelites are the first explicitly recorded to keep it. The Jews have continued to celebrate it to this day. Many Christian groups also celebrate the appointed Holy Days.
Before the holiday begins, observant Jews will remove and discard all food with leavening (called chametz) from their households, doing a thorough job, so that not even a crumb remains. This tradition is called bedikat chametz. Throughout the holiday, they will eat no leavened food, replacing breads, pastas, and cakes with matzoh and other specially prepared foods.
Passover is a family holiday and a happy one. The first night is the most important, followed by the second night. It is traditional for a Jewish family to gather on both these nights for a special dinner called a seder (literally translating as "order", due to the very specific order of the ceremony) where the story of the Israelite exodus from Egypt is retold by the reading of the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the Haggadah.
At the seder three matzohs are used. During the seder, the middle matzoh is broken in half. The smaller piece is returned to the set of matzohs while the larger piece is designated as the afikomen, or the dessert matzoh. Two distinct customs have arisen regarding the afikomen, both of which involve the afikomen being hidden as a means of keeping the children interested in the proceedings. In one custom, a child "steals" it and the parent has to find it. If the parent can't find it, the child is given a reward for the return of the afikomen. In the other custom the parents hide the afikomen and the children look for it at the end of the meal. If the children find it, they receive the reward.
During the seder, a platter, called the "Seder Plate" is a main part of the dinner. The Seder Plate has on it all of the main symbols of Passover. There is a roasted shank bone of a paschal lamb called a "Z'roa" which represents the offerings at the temple at Jerusalem on Passover. It has a roasted egg called a "Beitzah" which represents the Second offerings given at the temple in Jerusalem on Pesach, ShavuotShavuot ( Hebrew ), ("[seven] weeks") (pronounced: shah-voo-OH-t) is one of the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals; it is a major Jewish holiday; it is also known as the Feast of Weeks. Greek-speaking Jews gave it the name Pentecost since it occurs fifty, and Sukkot/SuccotThe term Sukkot ( or sukkot booths) or Succoth refers to an 8-day Biblical pilgrimage festival, also known as the Feast of Booths the Feast of Tabernacles or Tabernacles . In Judaism it is one of the most important Jewish holidays. The term also refers to. There is a green, leafy vegetable (usually celery ( S.) or parsley/lettuce ( A.Ashkenazi Standard Hebrew Aškanazi Tiberian Hebrew Aškanz Jews or Ashkenazic Jews also called Ashkenazim Standard Hebrew Aškanazim Tiberian Hebrew Aškanzim , are Jews who are descendants of Jews from Germany, Poland, Austria and Ea)) called "Karpas" which reminds the participants that Passover corresponds with Spring and the harvest, which, in ancient times was a cause for celebration itself. There is a dish of chopped fruits, nuts, and wine called "Charoset" which represents the mortar used by the Jews in bondage. There is dish of "maror" or bitter herbs which represent the bitterness of slavery.
There is a tradition of speaking of Four Sons. The Wise son, the Wicked son, the Simple one, and the Young one, who does not know enough to inquire. These sons represent the different types of Jews. The Wise son is the observant Jews. The Wicked son is the Jews that reject their heritage and religion. The Simple one is the Jews that are completely indifferent. The Young one is the Jews that don't know their culture or traditions and so, cannot say anything on the subject.
Since "Seder" means "order", it is not unexpected that there is an order to the night's proceedings. The night goes as follows:
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