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Pesach (Passover) is important to us since in it we relive the Exodus from Egypt and our birth as a nation, both of which were preparations for receiving the Torah from God.
The highlight of Passover is the Seder meal. This meal is of great importance in Judaism. It is a 3325-year old continuous tradition that began on the night of the Exodus from Egypt (see Exodus chapter 12), and is fully detailed in our ancient Oral Traditions (Talmud, chapter Arvei Pesachim).
The Seder meal is one of those occasions, like Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, that Jews all over the world, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, observe in common. During the Seder, we keep the essential mitzva and customs of handing Jewish traditions down to the next generation, with the traditional Seder foods and the ceremony of reading the Passover Haggadah which retells the events of the Exodus.
During the Seder meal, other traditional foods are eaten in addition to the matzah: bitter herbs, parsley, wine and haroset (see below). Salt water, a roasted egg, and a bit of roasted meat are also on the table.
During all the days of Passover, matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten; while leavened foods such as bread, cake, cookies, cereal and pasta are forbidden. This is a command in commemoration of the Exodus, when the Israelites were in a hurry to leave Egypt and did not spend time waiting for their dough to leaven (to rise). Exodus ch.12. Certain prayers are added in the synagogue services, and the Torah is read each day of Passover.
Here is the symbolism of the items on the Seder table:

  • Matzah - this represents the haste in which the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt.
  • Wine - the four cups represent the four expressions of redemption in Exodus 6:6-7.
  • The bitter herbs (maror) symbolize the harsh slavery which the Israelites suffered in Egypt. Horseradish and/or romaine lettuce are traditionally used for maror.
  • Salt water (see below).
  • Charoset - A sweet mixture representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt. In Ashkenazi Jewish homes, charoset is traditionally made from chopped nuts, grated apples, cinnamon, and sweet red wine.
  • Karpas - A vegetable other than bitter herbs, traditionally parsley, which is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder. The dipping of a simple herb into salt water (which represents tears) recalls the pain felt by the Israelite slaves in Egypt.
  • Beitzah - A hard-boiled egg (which is then burnt on one side), symbolizing the korban chagigah (festival sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem and roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. Although both the Pesach sacrifice and the chagigah were meat-offerings, the chagigah is commemorated by an egg, a symbol of mourning.
  • Z'roa - A roasted lamb or goat shank-bone, chicken wing, or chicken neck; symbolizing the korban Pesach (Pesach sacrifice), which was a lamb that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem, then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night.

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Related Questions

Which event do Jews remember when celebrating passover?

During the passover festival, the Jews remember their exodus from Egypt.


Do jews celebrate passover?

Yes, because Passover is a Jewish festival. see also:What_do_Jews_do_when_celebrating_passover


What does jews drink for festival?

On festivals such as Passover, wine is had.


What event do Jews remember when celebrating the Passover?

The Exodus, in which God took us out of Egyptian slavery (Exodus ch.12).


Why is the Passover known as the festival of freedom?

Jews were fleeing slavery in Egypt.


How do Jews remember such a time as the Passover?

By celebrating it every year.


The Jews and the early history of movies?

the event they celebrate passover is exodus


Do Christians consider the Passover a festival?

The passover is celebrated by Jews as it reminds them of their freedom from slavery. <><> Yes, Christians observe Passover. See the Related Link below.


Why is Passover to remember those who are not FREE?

That is not what Passover is about at all! Passover is to remember that G-d took the Jews out of Egypt, that he made the ten plagues, and that he split the Yam Suf (Sea of Reeds).


Which events do Jews remember at their passover?

During Passover Jews relive the Exodus from Egypt and their birth as a nation, both of which were preparations for receiving the Torah from God at Mount Siani.


What event do Jews remenber at their Passover festival?

The Angel of Death 'passing over' the homes of the Hebrews in Egypt and sparing their male children.Answer:All the events of the Exodus. (See Exodus ch.1-15).


Why was it called the Jewish Passover?

In many languages other than English and German, Easter is known either as Passover or a derivative of the word. There is also a Christian festival named Passover, observed by small numbers of Protestants as they believe celebrating the event gives their worship greater authenticity (due to the fact that Christ, as a Jew, would have celebrated Passover) such as the United Church of God.Thus, Jewish Passover is a term used to distinguish the Jewish festival from those of other religious groups that observe the event - among Jews, this is not an issue since we usually refer to it as Pesach.