Passover is a Jewish festival that begins on the 14th day of Nisan, the first month in the biblical calendar. In the modern Gregorian calendar this period usually falls in late March or April. In some communities Passover is also recognized as a masculine given name.
In Israel, Passover lasts seven days. In many other places the observance extends to eight days, reflecting historical practice for Jews living outside the land of Israel.
In 2025, Passover begins at sunset on April 13 and ends on the evening of April 21. The first and last days are typically observed as holidays with time off, while the intermediate days often allow work on a shorter schedule.
Date of the holiday
Passover, whose name means “the sparing” or “passed over” in Hebrew, commemorates the biblical moment when the angel of death passed over the homes of the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt, sparing their firstborns.
This festival marks the end of the Israelites’ period of slavery in Egypt and their journey toward freedom.
The Exodus story spans more than three thousand years. In the biblical account, God told Abraham that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land for 400 years. In Rabbinic tradition the period is described as 210 years. Moses is summoned to lead the people out of bondage toward a homeland promised by God. The pharaoh’s resistance leads to a series of plagues, including water turning to blood and a locust invasion, culminating in the dramatic liberation at the Red Sea.
As the Israelites prepared to depart, they marked their doors with a sign of protection, a moment celebrated today as part of the Passover story. The sea shapes a route of escape, and the event is recalled throughout the seven-day festival.
Preparation for Passover
Preparing for Passover is a thorough, month‑long effort in many homes. The goal is to remove chametz, or leavened products, symbolizing humility and the haste of the exodus. Homes are cleaned, kitchens are purified, and utensils are sometimes replaced or set aside for the Seders.
Leavened bread, beer, and pasta are avoided during the festival. In some communities these items are discarded before the holiday begins. The eve of Passover often includes a special fast for firstborn males, though firstborn females are exempt, and the responsibility may fall to a parent if a child is very young.
Main products on the holiday table
- Zroa. A symbolic shank bone representing the sacrificial Passover lamb. While plates may feature different meat options in various communities, the symbol remains central, underscoring the moment of divine protection and remembrance rather than a specific dish.
- Beitsa. A boiled egg symbolizing remembrance of Temple rituals and the cycle of life. It is often eaten with a pinch of salt to recall tears and hardship endured through the long history of the Jewish people.
- Karpaz. Fresh greens or root vegetables that signify spring renewal. They are dipped in salt water to reflect tears shed during slavery and the longing for freedom.
- Maror. Bitter herbs such as watercress or chicory, representing the bitterness of slavery and the hardships endured in Egypt.
- Haroseth. A mixture of fruit, nuts, wine, and cinnamon that evokes the mortar used in building the pyramids and the labor of the ancient world.
- Hazeret. Horseradish, highlighting the pain of bondage. Together with haroseth, it recalls the painful memories of slavery.
- Matzo. Unleavened bread symbolizing the haste of the Israelites leaving Egypt. The breaking of matzo in the middle of the table represents multiple lessons of the festival, with the afikomen inviting participation from children and adults alike.
These symbols express a range of emotions from sorrow to joy, and the seder layout is designed so everyone at the table feels connected to the Exodus story.
Holiday traditions
The Passover feast begins on the evening of April 13 with the seder, a ritual meal shared by families and friends. A long‑standing custom is to welcome those in need who cannot be with loved ones, opening doors to the vulnerable and inviting them to join in the celebration.
Alongside the main courses, traditional foods such as gefilte fish are often served. The zroa serves as a reminder of temple sacrifice and is not typically eaten. The seder includes multiple stages and features four cups of wine or grape juice, symbolizing divine promises. A fifth cup is poured for the prophet Elijah, who is not part of the meal itself.
During the seder, prayers and storytelling take center stage. The climax comes with the discovery of the afikomen, a piece of matzo hidden earlier for children to find. After the seder, the festival continues through the remaining days, culminating in a special remembrance of Moses and the Red Sea.
Rules for Passover emphasize avoiding chametz or flour products that rise or ferment. Before the holiday, all chametz is removed from homes and replaced with clean utensils and dedicated Seder sets for the celebration. The avoidance of leavened foods mirrors the Israelites’ swift departure from Egypt, and work is traditionally limited on the first and last days of the festival.
During the Seder, participants have four key duties: reading the Passover Haggadah, consuming a prescribed amount of matzo within a time window, eating maror throughout the evening, and drinking four cups of wine or grape juice in measured portions. These practices help participants connect with the Exodus narrative and its enduring lessons.