What is passover?

Passover, also known as Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It's a spring festival that typically lasts for seven or eight days, depending on whether you're in Israel or the Diaspora.

Central to Passover is the story of the Exodus, where God inflicted ten plagues upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, "passed over" the houses of the Israelites who had marked their doorposts with lamb's blood, hence the name "Passover."

A key tradition is the Seder, a ritual feast held on the first one or two nights of Passover. During the Seder, the story of the Exodus is retold through the Haggadah, a special book that contains prayers, songs, and explanations. Symbolic foods are eaten, each representing a different aspect of the Exodus story. These foods are arranged on a special plate called the Seder%20Plate.

Another important aspect of Passover is the prohibition of eating chametz (leavened products). In preparation for Passover, Jews thoroughly clean their homes to remove any trace of chametz. During the holiday, they eat matzah (unleavened bread) instead.