Today marks the beginning of Passover in the Jewish religion. It is a holy week that is celebrated by many throughout the world. It begins this evening at sunset and ends at nightfall on April 18th. Here is a short history of Passover:
"The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. And, by following the rituals of Passover, we have the ability to relive and experience the true freedom that our ancestors gained" - www.chabad.org
The Seder is observed on the first two nights and it includes a feast that is rich in heritage, faith, and tradition.
"The Seder is a fifteen-step family-oriented tradition and ritual-packed feast.
- Eating matzah.
- Eating bitter herbs—to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites.
- Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice—a royal drink to celebrate our newfound freedom.
- The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgy that describes in detail the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment of the biblical obligation to recount to our children the story of the Exodus on the night of Passover." - chabad.org
To all those who celebrate, we wish you and your family a wonderful holiday!
Photo Credit: www.challahcrumbs.com