Why is it called Passover, you ask? When God sent ten plagues to Egypt to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites, the final plague was the death of the firstborn. Israelites were instructed to mark their doors with the blood of a lamb, which allowed the angel of death to ‘pass over’ their homes, sparing them from the plague.
The Seder is what most people associate with Passover, and this is a meal in which the story of the Exodus is told. The table is filled with symbolic foods, including Matzah (unleavened bread), Bitter herbs (to remind us of hardship), sweet Charoset (to symbolise the hope and sweetness of freedom) and a few other items. Every Jewish family has their traditions when delivering the Seder. My family seder includes lots of singing together, fancy dress and lots of fun!
There are two nights of Seder and then a further week of the festival. For the week of Passover, Jewish families will avoid Chametz, which is any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has been allowed to rise or swell. This symbolises how the Jews did not have time for their bread to rise when they left Egypt, as they were in a hurry to escape from slavery.
At its core, Passover is about freedom, family, and food. Whether you enjoy the traditions or revel in the fact that matzah pizza is a thing (actually quite tasty!), Passover is a celebration that brings people together in the best way possible. So, grab a glass of wine (four, actually!) and say L’Chaim—to life and to freedom!
Written by Zoe Gray.
