Everything You Want to Know About Passover

Everything you wanted to know about Passover but were afraid to ask! (P.S. Make sure you have all the necessary Passover items from Seder plates to matzah covers and Passover gifts for hosts!)

What is Passover?

Passover (Pesach) commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. G-d "passed over" aka Pesach the Jews when imparting the 10 Plagues, including the last plague that convinced the Egyptians to let the Jews free, the death of the first born.

The Israelites were in such a hurry to leave slavery (wouldn't you be?) that they didn't have time to let their bread rise, and that's why we have matzah! We host a seder meal, which means order, read the story of Passover from a Haggadah, and of course eat (and drink four glasses of wine!) 

The central part of the seder is the Seder plate, a traditional plate filled with symbolic ingredients.

When is Passover?

• In 2026, Passover starts Wednesday, April 1st and ends Thursday, April 9th. 
• In 2027, Passover starts Monday, April 19th and ends Tuesday, April 27th. 
• In 2028, Passover starts Saturday, April 8th and ends Sunday April 16th.
• Passover always begins at sundown the evening before the first full day listed.

How long is Passover?

• Passover lasts 7 or 8 days, depending on tradition:

• 8 days for most Jewish communities outside of Israel or 7 days in Israel (and some Reform communities)

What does Passover Celebrate?

• Passover celebrates the Exodus; the story of the Israelites being freed from slavery in ancient Egypt.
• According to the Book of Exodus, G-d sent Ten Plagues upon Egypt after Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, “passed over” the homes of the Israelites who marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood (hence where the name Passover comes from!)
• What the holiday remembers:
• Freedom from slavery
• The journey from oppression to liberation
• Reflecting on the themes of freedom, justice, and resilience.

How is Passover Celebrated? 

The Seder (the first night or first two nights for some): We gather for a special ritual meal called the Seder (order). During the Seder we:

• Read from the Haggadah (the story of the Exodus
• Eat symbolic foods from the Seder plate
• Ask the Four Questions (traditionally by the youngest person)
• Drink four cups of wine (or grape juice)
• Sing traditional songs
• It’s interactive, story-focused, and usually lively and fun!
• If you need some help, see our post on What Goes on a Seder Plate?

Avoid Chametz

• For the entire week of Passover we:
• Don't eat bread or leavened grain products
• Homes are cleaned beforehand to remove chametz
• Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten instead (yum!)
• Sephardic homes eat some kitniyot (like rice and quinoa) but most Ashkenazi homes do not. It's up to you!

 Attend Synagogue Services (up to you!) to learn about the story of Passover

Practice gratitude, compassion and justice

Many families also connect the story to modern struggles for freedom.