Second Day of Passover in Argentina

In Argentina, a country with a significant Jewish population, the second day of Passover is observed as part of an eight-day festival commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. This holiday, known as Pesach in Hebrew, is marked by numerous traditions and customs which are observed by Jewish communities worldwide.

History and Traditions

Passover begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan and lasts for seven or eight days, with the latter customary in the Diaspora, including Argentina. The second day continues the commemoration that begins with a Seder on the first night. The Seder is a ritual feast that includes reading from the Haggadah (a text that outlines the order of Passover), eating matzah (unleavened bread), and partaking in symbolic foods placed on the Seder plate.

Observances

• Seder: Some families may hold a second Seder on this night, especially those who are more observant or have strong ties to tradition.
• Synagogue Services: Special services are held at synagogues, including prayers such as Hallel (psalms of praise) and readings from the Torah.
• Omer Counting: Starting from the second night of Passover, Jews begin counting the Omer—a biblical measure—marking 49 days until Shavuot, another significant Jewish holiday.
• Dietary Restrictions: The prohibition against chametz (leavened bread and other leavened products) continues throughout Passover. Instead, matzah and other kosher-for-Passover foods are consumed.

In Argentina, as in other parts of the world where Jews live outside Israel, an extra day is added to many holidays to ensure that no commandments are missed due to uncertainties in calendrical calculations during ancient times. Thus, while Israeli Jews celebrate Passover for seven days with one Seder night at inception, Argentinean Jews typically observe it for eight days with possibly two Seder nights.