Jews all around the world remember their freedom from slavery in Egypt during Passover, or Pesach. Passover begins on Nisan 15 of the Hebrew calendar, which falls in March or April, and ends on Nisan 21 or 22.

Origins of the holiday

Thousands of years ago the early Jews, called Israelites, moved to Egypt, where they became slaves of the Egyptians. It is believed that Moses had been chosen to go to the pharaoh, or king of Egypt, to demand that he free the Israelites from slavery. The king said no, so God sent down ten plagues (or punishments) to force the king to change his mind. The word Passover comes from the tenth plague, in which the firstborn son of each Egyptian family was killed. During this plague, God passed over the houses of the Israelites, who had marked their door posts with the blood of a roasted lamb to signify that they were children of God. In this way the firstborn sons of the Jews were spared.

When the king's son died, he was overcome with grief. He told Moses to take the Israelites away with him. Moses and the Israelites left so quickly that they did not have time to let their bread rise, so they took it with them as it was. When the Israelites reached the banks of the Red Sea, they heard the approaching Egyptian army behind them. God parted the Red Sea and let the Israelites cross to their freedom. When the Egyptian soldiers tried to cross, God drowned them.

How Passover is celebrated

The festival of Passover is one of great joy. The most important food of the holiday is matzo, which is a bread made with only flour and water. It is unleavened, which means that it is flat. This symbolizes the bread the Israelites took with them when they fled Egypt.

A special family meal called a seder is held the first and sometimes the second night of Passover. Before the meal the story of Passover is told through the songs and prayer of the Haggadah, which is the book used during the seder.