First Day of Passover in the United Kingdom

History and Traditions

Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a major Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The story is recounted in the Hebrew Bible in the book of Exodus. Passover lasts for seven or eight days, with the first day traditionally being a full holiday.

In the UK, as in other parts of the world, Passover begins with a ceremonial meal called a Seder on the eve of the first day. This meal is rich with symbolic foods and rituals that are outlined in a text called the Haggadah. The Seder plate includes items such as matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (a mixture of fruit, nuts, and wine), among others—each symbolizing aspects of the Exodus story.

What People Do

On the first day of Passover:

• Seder: Many Jewish families in the UK will gather for a Seder on the first night. The Seder is an elaborate dinner that involves reading from the Haggadah, eating symbolic foods, drinking four cups of wine, and singing traditional songs.

• Synagogue Services: On the first day, observant Jews attend special synagogue services which include prayers and readings from the Torah.

• Prohibition Against Leaven: During Passover, Jews abstain from eating leavened bread products (chametz) to remember their ancestors who could not wait for their bread to rise when fleeing Egypt.

• Time Off Work: In some cases, especially within more observant communities or among those who take religious practices particularly seriously, individuals may take time off work to observe this holy day.

The customs observed during Passover serve to strengthen communal bonds and ensure that successive generations remember their ancestral heritage. While mainly a home-based festival with rituals centered around family gatherings and meals, Passover also has community-wide implications where communal Seders or charitable acts might be organized to ensure everyone can participate in this significant time.