Passover (First Day) in the United States

History and Significance: Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is a significant Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery as recounted in the Book of Exodus. It lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days among many Jewish communities outside Israel.

Traditions:

• Seder Meal: The first night of Passover begins with a Seder, a ritual feast that includes reading from the Haggadah (a text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder), drinking four cups of wine, eating matzah (unleavened bread), and partaking in symbolic foods placed on the Seder plate.
• Matzah: For the duration of Passover, observant Jews abstain from eating chametz (leavened grain products) as a remembrance of their ancestors who left Egypt hastily and did not have time to let their bread rise.
• Maror: Bitter herbs are eaten to remind Jews of the bitterness of slavery.
• Charoset: A sweet paste representing the mortar used by Jewish slaves to build in Egypt.

Activities on First Day:

• Participation in religious services at synagogues.
• Families and friends gather for a Seder meal where they retell the story of Exodus.
• Special prayers, such as Hallel (praises), are recited during morning services.

In the United States, while not a federal holiday, Passover is widely observed by Jewish communities across the country with various levels of traditional practice. Some may take days off work or school to prepare for and celebrate this important time.