Today, April 22, the Jewish people begin the celebration of Pesach, which will end on April 30. Each year, the date is different because it is determined by the Jewish lunar calendar.
During the week, the day when the Jews left Egypt and got rid of slavery is remembered. It is not at all a Jewish Passover, as is sometimes claimed in the community. The meaning of the holiday is no less profound and special to the Jewish people.
Pesach: what is this holiday, and why is it not analogous to Easter
When the Jews lived in Egypt, they became slaves of the local population. That’s why the Egyptians suffered a disaster one day – there were 10 plagues. During the last one, all the firstborn children were killed. So that the Jews would not suffer, God told them to mark their houses with the blood of lambs. Only after these events did Moses manage to save them from slavery, and the people could leave Egypt. This is how the history of the Jewish people begins.
In the Christian tradition, Easter has quite a different essence. Here, they celebrate the triumph of Christ’s resurrection, beforehand keeping a strict fast.
Traditions of celebration
During Passover, Jews pray and read the Torah. According to tradition, they gather for a festive dinner called a seder on the first day. On the table are many national dishes that were prepared the day before.
- Matzah is unleavened bread.
- Haroset – a dish of nuts, fruit, spices, and sweet wine.
- Zroa – meat with a bone.
- Maror – bitter herbs.
It is also allowed to eat stuffed fish and wine.
On the third day, people already go to work, but it is not obligatory. On the penultimate day, Jews again begin to celebrate, and on the last day, they necessarily pray, eat matzah, and drink wine.
What you must not do
- One should not eat foods that are made with yeast or sourdough.
- One should not use ordinary utensils because eating there used to be forbidden. However, the rabbi can clean it.
- Working on the first and last day of the holiday is not recommended.
Features of the celebration in Ukraine
Pesach, like other Jewish holidays, is celebrated by Ukrainian Jews through traditions and customs that are passed down from generation to generation. During Pesach, Jews follow several religious rituals and traditions, including reading from the Haggadah (a unique book that tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt), eating certain foods such as matzah (unleavened yeastless dough), beaten eggs, bitter herbs, and other symbolic foods.
“The Pesach holiday is not only an opportunity for the Jewish community in Ukraine to celebrate ancient traditions and historical events, but also represents unity and solidarity in difficult times. The importance of Pesach in contemporary Ukraine is particularly expressed in its ability to unite the younger generation around shared values, heritage, and cultural ideas. In times of war, when national identity and security become particularly urgent, the celebration of Passover becomes a symbol of strength and hope, supporting our aspirations for peace, freedom and justice” – Yevhen Khorzhevskiy said, Hillel Odesa CEO.
Also, an essential aspect of Passover is the community Seder. This special dinner meal brings family and friends together to read the Haggadah, discuss meaningful moments, and sing songs. In Ukraine, many Jewish communities organize seders and other festive events where people gather to celebrate the holiday together.
