Passover begins

15 April 2014

Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Egypt. The term "passover" comes from the story that God "passed over the Jews when he killed the firstborn of Egypt in a series of plagues."  This is described in Exodus, the second book of the Torah. The two main commandments associated with the holiday are: eating matzoh, or unleavened bread; and the prohibition of eating any foods containing leavening during the holiday. Throughout the holiday, Jews will eat no leavened food, replacing breads, pastas, and cakes with matzoh and other specially prepared foods. Passover is a family holiday and a happy one. The first two nights are the most important and it is traditional for Jewish people to gather on both these nights for a special dinner called a Seder.

Campus Ministries