Pesach (more commonly known as Passover) is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. When God released the 10th of the plagues being the death of the Egyptian first born, the Israelites were told to mark the doorpost of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and upon seeing this the “spirit of the lord” knew to “pass over” this home. Which is why the festival is known as “The Passover”. 

It also commemorates the story of the Exodus which is believed to have taken place around 1300 BCE. In those days a generation was believed to be nearer 25 years, therefore, the most probable date for the Exodus is about the turn of that century. If this is correct, then the oppressive pharaoh referred to in the book of the Bible Exodus (1:2–2:23) was Seti I (reigned 1318–04), and the pharaoh during the Exodus would have been Ramses II (c. 1304–c. 1237). 

What do people do?

Passover is a spring festival which also celebrates the coming of spring and a fruitful harvest so in Jerusalem at the time of Soloman’s temple the offering was the “first fruits of barley, as barley is the first grain to ripen in Israel. In more recent years traditions have changed and different sects of Jews do things differently. Many European Jews who are descended from Ashkenazi Jews, have historically avoided rice, beans, corn and other foods like lentils and edamame at Passover. The tradition goes back to the 13th century, when custom dictated a prohibition against leavened bread made from wheat, barley, oats, rice, rye and spelt and yeast. Unleavened bread (yeast free)is a must, hence the popularity of matzos at Passover. They also keep “Kosher”. Keeping kosher means that Jews who do keep Kosher follow certain religious rules such as not easting dairy foods and meat at the same time. They also refrain from eating pork or shellfish and to only eat meat that has been slaughtered according to specific rules, which includes a rabbi supervising to make sure the meat is kosher. Kosher food rules also extend to the way foods are prepared. 

Passover is celebrated today over 7-8 days depending upon where in the world you live. On the evening before the Passover begins, a special service called a Seder ('Order') takes place over a meal with family and friends in the home.