Passover is one of the most important festivals of the Jews, which is also known as Pesach. With this article, explore Jewish Passover holiday.
Passover is an important festival for the Jews, commemorating the Hebrews' escape from enslavement in Egypt. The first of the three chief religious festivals of the Jews, Pesach, or Passover as it is known as, boasts of having both historical and agricultural significance. It marks the beginning or the onset of the agricultural season in Israel. However, the spotlight of the festival is mainly the Exodus of Hebrew slaves from Egypt, after generations and generations of slavery. Talking about the name, Pesach in Hebrew actually stands for the phrase 'passing over'. According to the popular belief, it is alleged that death 'passed over' the houses of the Jews, while afflicting Egyptians with the tenth plague. Hence, the name of the festival is 'Pesach' or 'Passover'. Jews and Christians all over the world celebrate the festival with great pomp and show. Christians mainly celebrate the festival 'Passover' with a view that 'Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of God that delivered all mankind from the slavery of sins.
Sanctimonious practices, revelry, merriment and celebrations mark the onset of Passover. The festivity generally begins on the 14th day of the month of Nisan (equivalent to March and April in Gregorian calendar), which is the first month of the Hebrew calendar's festival year, according to the Hebrew Bible. According to the narrative of the Exodus, YHWH inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians, before Pharaoh would release his Hebrew slaves, the tenth one being the most cruel - death of the firstborns. The Israelites were saved as death 'passed over' them, because they had marked their doorposts of their homes with the blood of a spring lamb. While festivities continue for eight days, Seder is observed only on its first two nights. The Fast of the Firstborn is observed on the day before Pesach. This is mainly done to commemorate the fact that firstborns of Israelites were saved during the slaying in Egypt. In short, one can say that Passover is truly a time for merriment and happiness for Jews, as they rejoice the freedom and independence bestowed upon them.
