Passover – The Festival of Freedom

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most important and meaningful festivals in the Jewish calendar. It celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and their journey to the Promised Land. It also reminds us of the power of faith, courage and redemption.

Passover begins on the 15th day of Nisan. In 2023, it starts on the evening of Wednesday 5 April and lasts for eight days. During this time, we observe various customs and rituals that commemorate the Exodus story and express our gratitude to God for His miracles and His guidance.

The Passover Seder, is a festive meal that takes place on the first night (and in some communities, also on the second night) of the holiday. The Seder is a unique and interactive experience that involves reading from the Haggadah, a book that tells the story of Passover in words and songs. We also eat special foods that symbolise different aspects of the Exodus, such as matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (a sweet paste made of fruits and nuts), karpas (a green vegetable dipped in salt water), zeroa (a roasted bone) and beitzah (a hard-boiled egg). We drink four cups of wine to celebrate our freedom and joy, and we leave a fifth cup for Elijah, the prophet who will herald the coming of the Messiah.

Another important aspect of Passover is avoiding chametz, any food that contains leavened grain. This is because when the Israelites left Egypt in haste, they did not have time to let their bread rise, so they baked flat matzah instead. By abstaining from chametz for eight days, we remember the hardships and the miracles that our ancestors experienced, and we also cleanse ourselves spiritually from any arrogance or pride that might puff us up like leaven.

Passover is a time to connect with our history, our family and our community. It is a time to reflect on our own personal journeys and challenges, and to renew our faith and trust in God. It is a time to celebrate our freedom and our identity as Jews.

At Chabad Brighton, we invite you to join us for an inspiring and enjoyable Passover experience. Whether you need a place to attend our Communal Seder, a box of matzah, or some guidance on how to prepare for Passover, we are here to help you. Please contact us for more information or to make a reservation.

We wish you and your loved ones a happy Passover!