What is Passover in the Jewish Faith? The Meaning, History, and Significance of Pesach

What is the meaning of Passover and its significance? 

Why is Passover important? 

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is one of the most meaningful and widely celebrated events in Jewish history, symbolizing freedom, faith, and deliverance, reminding each generation of the miracle of redemption within the history of Jewish faith and diaspora. 

When is Passover celebrated? It occurs every Spring on the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. This time corresponds to the agricultural season of renewal, marking when the Israelites were liberated from slavery and began their journey to the Promised Land. The Passover in the Torah commands that the holiday be observed for seven days, the timeline of the Exodus. According to the Midrash, after leaving Egypt on the first day of Passover, the Egyptians continued to hunt the Israelites until the Red Sea parted on the seventh day – completing their liberation. This is exactly why the seven days of Passover hold such significance in the Jewish tradition. 

The Origin and Story of Passover (Pesach)

The origins of Passover can be traced back approximately 3,500 years, to the time when Moses led the Israelites out of bondage under Pharaoh’s rule. Jewish people faced 400 years of slavery in Egypt before they were freed by the miraculous events described in the book of Exodus. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates this defining moment in Jewish history and the beginning of their journey to freedom. To this day, Passover is celebrated as a major Jewish holiday that honors faith, deliverance, and spiritual protection. 

The word “Passover” comes from the Hebrew word “Pesach,” which means to pass over or to spare. This term refers to the final and most famous of the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt, known as the Plague of the Firstborn, when G-d “passed over” the homes of the Israelites marked with lamb’s blood and spared the homes of the Israelites and their firstborn sons. The miracle behind this Jewish tradition symbolizes the Jewish redemption and freedom from bondage. 

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How Passover (Pesach) Is Celebrated in the Jewish Faith

Passover, or Pesach, is one of the most significant and meaningful Jewish holidays, reflecting and retelling the story of their ancestors’ journey from slavery to freedom. It is one of three Pilgrimage Festivals that, in ancient times, saw Israelites traveling to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple. Today, in modern times, Passover is celebrated with family and friends through the traditional Seder meal, which retells the story of Exodus through symbolic foods, readings from the Haggadah (a guidebook for the Seder), and songs celebrating this precious miracle.

Alongside Passover, the other two Pilgrimage Festivals or Shalosh Regalim celebrated after Passover are Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks) and Sukkot (the Feast of Booths). All three mark changes in Israel’s agricultural season, with Passover celebrating the beginning of spring and the start of the harvest.

The Meaning of Passover (Pesach) in the Jewish Faith

What is the meaning of Passover? The meaning of Passover is also significant in the core beliefs of Judaism – it represents the birth of the Jewish nation and its covenant with God. After being freed from slavery, Moses led his people to Mount Sinai, where they received the Ten Commandments and established a new relationship with God. This event, known as the Giving of the Torah,  marks the spiritual continuation of the Exodus and is later celebrated during another important Jewish holiday on the Jewish calendar known as the Shavuot festival.

In addition to its historical significance, Passover holds great religious and cultural importance for Jews worldwide. In the face of antisemitism, the celebration of collective freedom from oppression is a stark reminder of resilience.

Ultimately, the purpose of Passover is to provide an opportunity to express compassion and responsibility. Many use this time to volunteer for Jewish causes like Pantry Packers, or to support top Israeli charities and Jewish nonprofits that donate to poor in Israel, educate children, and support widows and orphans charity and Jewish charities for children. 

Passover Seder Meaning

The traditions of Passover still hold true thousands of years later.

Passover Seder

The Passover Seder or Jewish Passover meal is one of the most significant aspects of this Jewish holiday. It ties back to the original Passover story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their journey to freedom.

“Seder” means “order,” and in this context, refers to a specific order that must be followed during Passover meal observances. The Haggadah outlines the specific steps and rituals of the Seder, which typically takes place on the first two nights of Passover. Several Jewish prayers and blessings, such as the Kiddush (blessing over wine), the 4 cups of wine, the Afikoman, and the recitation of the Four Questions, are integral to this meal.

The Passover Seder Plate

The Seder plate is a central component of the Passover meal. It holds several symbolic foods that represent different aspects of the Passover story.

These include…

• Maror: Bitter herbs, usually horseradish, to symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.
• Charoset: A mixture of apples, nuts, and wine that represents the mortar used by the Israelites to build structures for their Egyptian captors.
• Karpas: Karpas, such as parsley, celery, or potato, symbolize the backbreaking work of Jews as slaves. The Hebrew letters in karpas can spell perech plus samech, which means backbreaking work and is equivalent to 60 myriads, referring to 600,000 Jewish males over 20 years of age enslaved in Egypt.
• Z’roa: A roasted lamb shank bone that represents the Paschal sacrifice made by the Israelites before leaving Egypt.
• Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg, which symbolizes new life and the cycle of renewal.

   

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Maos Chitim

Maos Chitim, also known as “Kimcha D’Pischa” in Hebrew, is a Jewish tradition of providing financial assistance and resources to those in need during the Passover holiday. The phrase translates to “wheat money” so that they can make Matzah, which is unleavened bread, an integral part of the Seder, and the only bread one can eat during the festival.

Honor the Meaning of Passover With Colel Chabad

These days, people don’t need to donate literal wheat to participate in Maos Chitim. Colel Chabad is a long-standing humanitarian organization in Israel, dating back to 1788. We provide vital assistance to the most vulnerable, and there are plenty of other ways of giving tzedakah, loving-kindness, and generosity. For example, some may choose to donate to Israeli charities that combat food insecurity in Israel. Others focus on specific causes in need of support by giving to a widows and orphans charity or food kitchens. 

The core Jewish values emphasize giving back both during Passover and throughout the rest of the year. One can make an impact by donating to Jewish charities for the poor or engaging in any other Jewish levels, such as The Eight Degrees of Giving.

Give to Israel’s Needy With Colel Chabad

As the oldest Jewish Chabad charity in Israel’s long history of Jewish charity, Colel Chabad is one of the best Jewish charities to donate to this Passover. Our non-profit was founded upon the principles of the Chabad movement over 200 years ago and continues to serve those in need through a variety of philanthropic initiatives.

This includes community food banks, a widows’ charity, and healthcare resources for vulnerable populations. There are plenty of ways to give, and you can sign up for Jewish volunteer opportunities, such as Pantry Packers, on an individual or group basis.

Your Israel donations are much needed as Israel stares down yet another tumultuous time of challenge and uncertainty. It is more important than ever to donate to charity. Don’t wait – support the Jewish community’s present and future by getting involved with our Chabad charity today.