Many will hear that Friday night April 22, 2016 starts the Jewish holiday of Passover (or also called Pesach). But for people unfamiliar with the holiday, they aren't quite sure what that really means.
Well here is a quick run down of the Jewish festival holiday called Passover.
Remember the story of Exodus? Moses and the burning bush, the Pharaoh of Egypt, the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea? Well that is what Passover is all about for the Jewish people. It is the time of year we all joyously celebrate and remember how we used to be slaves and now.....we are not!
This wonderful holiday is celebrated for 8 days (starting at sundown) and we kick it off by holding a "Seder" which is a special dinner that is presented in a special order. Seder actually means order! For 8 days, we refrain from eating any leavened bread (so bye bye sandwiches and pastries!) and we eat a special type of non-leavened bread called Matzo. We also have a special plate, called a Seder plate, that has certain food items on it to represent part of our story.
https://youtu.be/t_cOzyzvbfo
Sometimes the Seder can be very lengthy but others can be made quite short, especially if you have young kids waiting not-so-patiently to eat! We read through the Haggadah, which is the book that brings us step by step through the Seder. That includes singing of songs, asking very important questions, reading the story of Exodus and of course, drinking wine!
So now you know, when you hear that Friday night at sundown Passover begins, you will know what Jews all over the world are celebrating! And you get extra points if you tell your Jewish friends, Chag Shemach (KHAHG sah-MEHY-ahkh) which means, "Joyous Festival."
Happy Pesach!
Happy Pesach!
