What Is Passover and How Is It Observed?

Passover (Pesach) is an eight-day festival (seven days in Israel and for Reform Jews) that commemorates the Exodus — the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. It begins on the 15th of Nisan, usually falling in March or April. The holiday's two central practices are the Seder, a structured ritual meal held on the first night (and second night outside Israel), and the removal of chametz (leavened food) from the home. If you're new to Passover, the practical starting points are: know the dates, plan a Seder, and clear your kitchen of chametz.

Why Passover Is Observed

The holiday rests on the biblical account in the Book of Exodus. God inflicted ten plagues on Egypt; the tenth was the death of the firstborn. Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb's blood so the plague would "pass over" their homes — hence the name. After the tenth plague, Pharaoh let the people go, and they left so quickly that their bread had no time to rise. That is why matzah, unleavened bread, is eaten throughout the holiday.

Passover is one of the three pilgrimage festivals (along with Shavuot and Sukkot) when ancient Israelites traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem.

When Passover Begins and How Long It Lasts

The first and last days are full holidays (yom tov) with restrictions on work. The intermediate days are called Chol Hamoed.

The Seder: The Core Ritual

The Seder takes place on the first night (and second night in the Diaspora). It follows a fixed order — the word seder means "order" — laid out in the Haggadah, the text read aloud during the meal.

Key elements of the Seder:

• Kadesh — Kiddush over the first of four cups of wine.
• Maggid — The telling of the Exodus story, including the Four Questions traditionally asked by the youngest participant.
• The Seder plate — Contains symbolic foods: maror (bitter herbs, for the bitterness of slavery), charoset (a sweet mixture, for the mortar of bricks), karpas (a green vegetable dipped in salt water, for tears), zeroa (a roasted shank bone, for the Passover sacrifice), and beitzah (a roasted egg, for the festival offering).
• Matzah — Three pieces are used; the middle one is broken (Yachatz), and one piece is hidden as the Afikoman for children to find.
• Four cups of wine — Drunk at specific points in the Seder.
• Hallel — Psalms of praise recited near the end.
• Nirtzah — The closing, often ending with "Next year in Jerusalem."

Removing Chametz

Chametz includes any food made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has been allowed to ferment or rise. This covers bread, pasta, beer, most cakes, and many processed foods.

The process of removal involves:

1. Cleaning — Thoroughly clean the home, especially the kitchen, to remove all chametz.
2. Bedikat chametz — A formal search for remaining chametz on the night before Passover, traditionally done by candlelight.
3. Bitul and biur — A declaration nullifying any chametz not found, followed by burning or otherwise destroying the chametz the next morning.
4. Selling chametz — Any chametz you don't want to destroy can be sold to a non-Jew for the duration of the holiday, often arranged through a rabbi or synagogue.

During Passover, many families use a separate set of dishes and cookware, or kasher their existing kitchen for Passover use.

Differences Across Communities

• Ashkenazi Jews traditionally avoid kitniyot (legumes, rice, corn, and similar foods) in addition to chametz. Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews generally eat kitniyot on Passover.
• Sephardi Seders may include different symbolic foods and songs, and the charoset often varies by region.
• Yemenite traditions include unique melodies and additional readings.

Practical Steps for Your First Passover

1. Check the date — Passover begins on 15 Nisan; confirm the Gregorian date for the current year.
2. Plan your Seder — Get a Haggadah, a Seder plate, matzah, wine or grape juice, and the symbolic foods.
3. Clear chametz — Start cleaning a week or two ahead; it's the most time-consuming part.
4. Arrange the sale of chametz if needed, through your synagogue or a rabbi.
5. Prepare your menu — Focus on matzah-based dishes, fresh vegetables, meat, fish, and fruit.
6. Invite guests — The Seder is designed to be shared; welcoming others is part of the tradition.

Where to Find Passover Items

Judaica Depot's online store lists a Passover category alongside Shabbat, Mezuzot, Hanukah, Kippot, Tallitot, and other items. The site notes it ships most orders within the next three business days and offers phone support at 1-818-745-0292. If you need a Seder plate, matzah cover, or Haggadah, browsing that category is a reasonable starting point.