What is Pesach in Judaism?

Answer 1

Pesach is the Hebrew name for Passover, the spring pilgrimage festival. (The ch in Pesach and other Hebrew words is pronounced like the ch in Bach and Loch Ness). This festival celebrates the spring barley harvest (a winter crop) and also recalls the Exodus from Egypt. In the years before the year 70, when Rome destroyed the Temple, all Jews were supposed to go on a chag (pilgrimage) to the Temple in Jerusalem 3 times a year, on Pesach, Shavuot (Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks) and Succot (the Feast of Booths). After the Temple was destroyed, these pilgrimage festivals became synagogue and home centered. Pesach and Succot, in particular, are dominated by activities done at home such as the Seder meal at Passover and building a succah (booth) to live in for Succot.