The annual week-long event known as Pesach, or Passover 2022, honors the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery (in ancient Egypt). The Hebrew word “Pesach” means “to Passover” since the Israelites’ dwellings were spared from the plague that killed all firstborns in Egypt. Passover 2022 is historically observed for seven days in the Land of Israel and for 8 days among the many Jews Overseas, based on the notion of Yom. It is one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals prescribed by the Bible. The seven-day festival is referred to in the Bible as Chag HaMatzot, the feast of sourdough bread (matzoh).
When Is Passover?
The dates range from the 15th day in the Hebrew month of Nissan (or Nisan), to the 22nd day, and are based on the Hebrew calendar. The dates of passover 2022 are April 15–April 23. Both the first and second Seders will actually occur after midnight on April 15, and April 16, respectively.
passover 2022 is sometimes observed for seven rather than eight days in Reform Jewish communities. Passover is observed for eight days in more orthodox Jewish communities, both Orthodox and Conservative ones.
On the first and second nights of the holiday, after sunset, family, and friends assemble for the Seder, the festival’s centerpiece. Hebrew for “order,” “Seder” recounts the Exodus event via singing, prayer, narration, and the consumption of symbolic foods. Four cups of wine, matzah, and bitter herbs are consumed during the Seder feasts, and the Exodus narrative is recited.
Meaning of Passover
As a result of G-d passing over the Jewish households on the first Passover eve to spare them from death, this celebration is known in Hebrew as Pesach, which means to skip over. The Israelites had been enslaved as slaves by the Egyptian pharaohs for a very long period of time. Moses made an attempt to persuade the Egyptians with a word from God, but he was unsuccessful. Crops and livestock were decimated by terrible plagues.
The last of the 10 plagues, which killed all the Egyptian firstborns, struck on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew quarter of Nissan in the year 2448 the beginning (1313 BCE). The children of Israel, however, were saved by God; the famine “passed by” their dwellings as a result of Moses’ instructions from God to inform them to mark their doorposts with lamb’s blood. Pharaoh made a concession. On that day, 600,000 adult males together with many more women and kids departed Egypt and started their journey to Mount Sinai.
Maror (bitter herbs) or matzah (unleavened bread), which serves as a reminder of how quickly the oppressed people left Egypt when they did not even have time for the bread to rise, are two of the most well-known Passover meals. No leavened or fermented foods or beverages are consumed during Passover, excluding cake, cookies, cereal, pasta, and the majority of alcoholic beverages.
Traditionally, charoset, a sweet sauce made of apples, almonds, and wine, is eaten with matzah. The bricks used by the Jewish slaves to construct the cities of Pharaoh are symbolized by this dish. Although it changes, the fundamental recipe is:
- 1 cup of walnuts
- 3 apples, cored, sliced into approximately 8 pieces, and without peeling.
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon, or to taste
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of grape juice or delicious Passover wine
- 1 tablespoon of sugars or to taste
If using a food processor or chopping board with a steel blade, place the walnuts in the bowl. Be careful not to over-process when you roughly slice the ingredients into large dice or pulse them briefly in the processor. To achieve the required consistency, add the apple slices and chop or pulse. Mix the remaining ingredients well before adding them. It yields about 2 cups. The simplest form of the recipe is shown above. This recipe for charoset also calls for honey, raisins, and dried apricots. Gefilte fish and matzo ball soup are further typical Passover beginnings. Brisket of beef is a traditional dinner meal.
What Do You Say on Passover?
According to Chabad.org, wishing somebody a “Happy Passover” is completely acceptable. To be more particular, you may say “kosher and joyful Passover” if you know the person you’re speaking to keeps a kosher home for the holiday. Another option is to wish someone a “happy Pesach.”
Why Is Matzoh Eaten During Passover?
The Torah claims that the Pharoah did not give the Israelites enough time to let their bread rise before they had to leave Egypt. As a result, at passover 2022, only unleavened bread is consumed to honor and serve as a reminder of the haste with which Jews fled for freedom.
What Other Foods Are Served During Passover?
In addition to matzoh, typical Passover fare also includes gefilte fish, roasted chicken, brisket, potato kugel (a dish akin to a casserole), sweet potatoes, and matzoh ball or egg drop soup. Specific dishes vary.
What’s the Significance of Wine During Passover?
At least four glasses of wine. Each representing a distinct aspect of the Passover seder. Must be consumed, according to the Torah. One is freedom from arduous labor Jewish slaves built the pyramids. Leaving Egypt physically. Experienced Moses crossing of the seas. And gained independence at Sinai. A fifth cup is often used at seder ceremonies in honor of the prophet Elijah. Who is in charge of Passover, but no one drinks from it.