what is passover day

Passover is a Jewish holiday that remembers the Israelites’ freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt and the biblical Exodus. It usually lasts 8 days and centers on a special meal called the seder , where the story is retold with symbolic foods like matzah and bitter herbs.

Why it matters

Passover is one of the most important holidays in Judaism because it celebrates freedom, memory, and identity. The name comes from the idea of God “passing over” the homes of the Israelites during the final plague in Egypt.

Main traditions

• Eating matzah, or unleavened bread, because the Israelites left Egypt in haste.

• Holding a seder meal, which includes reading from the Haggadah and retelling the Exodus story.

• Avoiding leavened foods, often called chametz, during the holiday.

Timing

Passover begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which falls in March or April. In 2026, one source lists it as April 1 to April 9.