Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, is one of the most popular Jewish holidays. It is an 8-day holiday which celebrates the Jews who fled Egypt after more than 200 years of slavery.It is a special time for family gatherings and meals called Seders where the story of Passover is retold through the reading of the Haggadah. It tells of how Moses demands the Egyptian Pharaoh to let his people go. With the Pharaoh’s continued refusals, G_d set forth 10 plagues including the slaying of the first born. The Hebrews were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord (the angel of death) passed over these homes, providing the origin of the name "passover".
Traditional foods are eaten during the seder dinner:
- Unleaved bread called Matzo (When the Pharaoh finally freed the Hebrews, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread to rise.
- The dipping of a spring vegetable into salt water. The vegetable is a sign of spring, or rebirth, and the salt water represent the tears of the slaves.
- Bitter herbs, as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery.
- A special mixture, called Charoset, which is made of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon to represent the mortar that the slaves made their bricks from.
- Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice—a royal drink to celebrate newfound freedom
Keep in mind, Gifts going to British Columbia and Nova Scotia can take 5-7 days. Order early and we’ll ensure your gift arrives in time for Passover.
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