History, Ritual and Symbolism Involved in Passover

Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) is a powerfully important time in the Jewish tradition. You'll find a complex and rich history, ritual and symbolism involved in Passover. The tradition is observed for seven days within Israel and eight everywhere else. The celebration marks the freedom of the Jewish people from almost four hundred years of Egyptian slavery.

The historic roots of Passover provide opportunities to learn. The tradition of Passover is rooted in ancient history and remembered each year by people of the Jewish faith. The Pharaoh was asked to let the Jewish people go from slavery and he refused. Ten plagues were sent to convince him of the error of his ways. Finally, he let the people of Israel leave the bonds of slavery and Egypt. Unfortunately, he then changed his mind and sent his army to attack the departing people. HaShem (also known as Moses) parted the waters of the sea, which allowed the Jews to cross to safety. When the army entered the parted seas, the waters came together, drowning the army.

Passover rituals involve the whole family. According to Akhala: The Jewish Children's Learning Network, Passover is a family holiday that asks the participation of the children. The first two days and the last two days of the Passover tradition are celebrated as full holidays. The four days in between are considered half-holidays. In Israel it is the first and seventh days that are considered full holidays, with the other days as half-holidays. The family home is first cleaned of all foods with leavening or Chametz. The ceremony is called the Bedikat Chametz, for the searching out of the leaven. Once all the leaven has been found, the Biur Chametz (or burning of the leaven) is performed.

Passover symbolism is critical to the tradition. The story of the Jews in Egypt is told throughout the Passover holiday. The Seder (Order) dinner is rife with symbolism. The Seder services are held once the home has been cleaned of all leaven because the Jews had to leave Egypt too quickly to raise traditional yeast bread for their journey. During the Seder dinner, elaborate and special symbolic foods are served in a set order while the narrative (Haggada) of the exodus from Egypt is told around the family table.

The Kiddush (blessing over wine) is recited.

Hands are ritually washed in a ceremony known as Urchatz.

Karpas is performed. Green vegetables are dipped in salt water and eaten to symbolize the tears shed by the Jewish people during their slavery in Egypt.

Matzo or matza (unleavened bread) is broken in half in Yahatz. The smaller piece represents the bread of affliction. It is left to be eaten later for the Mitzva of matzo. The large piece is eaten at the end of the meal for Afikoman (or desert).

Maggid, or the story of Passover, is told. The youngest child asks four symbolic questions.

Rachtza, or the washing of hands and regular blessing, is recited.

Motzi is next with the Hamotzi (the blessing for bread) recited while holding the remaining matzo.

Maror: Bitter herbs such as lettuce leaves dipped into charoset (a mixture of nuts, apples, cinnamon and sweet wine) are eaten to describe the bitterness of the journey.

Koresh: Bitter herb is consumed together with the matzo.

The serving of Shulchan Orech, the festive meal, is next.

Tzafun: The Afikoman, or final piece of matzo, is eaten to symbolize the last piece that the children have hidden.

Barech is the grace after the meal. Wine is periodically consumed between courses, and after the meal grace is said as the cup of Elija the Prophet is filled.

Hallel is recited to praise HaShem.

The Nirtzah concludes the Seder with a final prayer that states the desire to perform the family's next Seder in Jerusalem.