As the sun dips below the horizon on April 15, Passover lights up the calendar for Jewish communities around the world. The name Passover carries a double meaning in Hebrew and in the broader tradition: a journey of the people and a moment of divine protection that shifts the course of history.
The central story of the holiday centers on the Exodus, when the Israelites, guided by Moses, moved from bondage toward freedom. A second, deeper account recalls Pharaoh’s resistance to releasing the Israelite people and the night when calamity struck the firstborn in every Egyptian family. Before that night, Jewish households prepared by slaughtering a lamb and marking their doorposts with blood. On seeing the blood, the angel of death would pass over those homes, sparing the inhabitants. The subsequent departure of the Israelites marked a turning point in history and set the stage for a long journey toward nationhood and covenantal identity.
Passover observances begin with a ceremonial meal, the Seder, held on the first evening of the holiday and, in many diaspora communities, on the second night as well. In congregations, believers gather at the end of prayers to continue the spiritual and communal rhythm. The family assembly then sits around the table for the Seder, where blessings, readings, and songs guide the narrative. The ritual involves specific foods and symbolic items that illustrate liberation, memory, and gratitude, creating a meal that is as much about storytelling as nourishment.
A distinctive element of Passover is hospitality. Many Jews invite guests to share this festive meal, ensuring that it reaches those who might be far from loved ones or unable to celebrate with family. The spirit of inclusion turns the Seder into a communal act that transcends individual households, reinforcing the belief that freedom is a shared, universal value.
In a message to believers, the Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar emphasized that during Passover people should feel as though they have just left Egypt, highlighting the perpetual relevance of liberation, remembrance, and hope. The sentiment echoes across communities that observe the holiday in different countries and languages, weaving a common thread of renewal and resilience into modern life. This perspective is frequently echoed by major news agencies, which report on the celebrations and the continued significance of the Passover story in contemporary Jewish life.
Beyond the religious and cultural dimensions, Passover also intersects with contemporary headlines and personal identity. For instance, a report from Haaretz cited an Israeli citizenship development involving television personality and former presidential candidate Ksenia Sobchak. The article noted that Sobchak, and her five-year-old son Platon, had received Israeli citizenship. The basis for this acquisition was described as rooted in Sobchak’s family heritage, with her maternal grandfather, Boris Moiseevich Narusov, identified as Jewish. Sobchak has not publicly commented on these claims, and the report reflects ongoing conversations about citizenship, ancestry, and national belonging that surface during times of national dialogue and shift. The details emphasized how lineage and personal history can become part of public discourse, underscoring the broader topic of how identity evolves in a global, interconnected world.