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Passover
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The first Passover is described in Exodus chapter 12: one lamb was slain for every household and the blood painted onto the lintels and doorposts. This was done in order that the angel of Death would not slay the first-born son of the Jewish households, but only those of Pharoah's people, whom God had warned He would judge. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" the Lord told the children of Israel (Exodus 12:13). They were to eat the lamb, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, in haste prior to their departure from Egypt. The eating of unleavened bread was to continue for seven days, as their sustenance to exit Egypt and escape Pharoah's slavery. God ordained that the children of Israel would commemorate the Passover every year to remember their deliverance, almost 3,450 years ago.
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Passover (in Hebrew, Pesach) [I]s one of the most important Jewish festivals. Celebrated in late March or early April (by the Jewish calendar, Nisan 15-22), it commemorates the Exodus--the deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The name Passover is interpreted in the Mishnah to refer to the statement (Exod. 12:23) that God would pass over the houses of the Israelites in killing the firstborn of Egypt. In the Bible... the name is applied to a festival involving the sacrifice of a lamb or kid and the eating of unleavened bread; this was probably an ancient spring festival.
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Passover dietary restrictions and requirements have prompted distinctive culinary responses. Signature dishes of the seder meal itself vary according to Jewish communities. While many are ... served on the Sabbath and other holidays, some are specific to Passover.
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On the morning before Passover, the fast of the firstborn takes place. This fast commemorates the salvation of the Israelite firstborns during the Plague of the Firstborn (according to the Book of Exodus, the tenth of ten plagues wrought upon ancient Egypt prior to the Exodus of the Children of Israel), when, according to Exodus (12:29): "...God struck every firstborn in the Land of Mitzrayim (ancient Egypt)...." Many authorities, including the Rema, note the custom that fathers of firstborn sons are required to observe the fast if their son has not yet reached the age of Bar Mitzvah. In practice... most firstborns only fast until the end of the morning prayer service in synagogue. This is due to the widespread custom for a member of the congregation to conduct a siyum (ceremony marking the completion of a section of Torah learning) right after services and invite everyone to partake in a celebratory meal. According to widespread custom, partaking of this meal removes one's obligation to fast.
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The Passover story begins over 3,000 years ago. The Jews lived in Egypt for many generations. The Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, became worried that the Jews would take over his people and his power. To avoid this, he made the Jews slaves and forced them to build Egyptian temples and cities. This occurred for many generations. Close to the end of the fourteenth century B.C., Moses, a leader of the Jews, asked the Pharaoh to free the Jews.
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The Passover holiday can be broken down into Yom Tov days and Chol Ha-Moed days. "Yom Tov" literally means "Good day" in Hebrew, and in this context, Yom Tov refers to a day that is fully holy, or in other words, a full holy-day or holiday. For Jews who celebrate Passover for 8 days, Yom Tov days are the first two days of Passover and the final two days of Passover or the 1st, 2nd, 7th,and 8th days of Passover. For Jews who celebrate Passover for 7 days, Yom Tov days are the 1st and 7th days of the Passover holiday. On Yom Tov days, there are several religious restrictions or rules to follow because of the nature of Yom Tov days being "full" holy-days or holidays, including not being permitted to work in most cases with some rare practical exceptions.
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Passover