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Religion: Passover

Significance

 

Original context

Passover remembers the night before the Jewish people escaped slavery in Egypt. It is significant because it shows how the event which saved them and symbolises freedom.

Today

The first two days and last two days are public holidays, with holiday meals. Jewish people don't go to work, drive, write, or switch on or off electric devices. It also involves a full spring-cleaning to get rid of all yeast!

Other Jewish festivals

Video: Holy Days (duration 5:41)

Spring

Autumn

Winter

Festivals and Holy Days - Britannica

Bible passages

 

Old Testament - Passover

21 When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway. (Exodus 12:21)

Read full passage - Exodus chapter 12 (3 minutes)

New Testament - Mass

The next day John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.  (Luke 22:1-2)

Read full passage - Luke 22:1-23 (2 minutes)

 

Meal

Preparations

Food and drink

All of the foods eaten are symbolic. These include:

  • bitter herbs, reminiscent of the pain of bondage;
  • a roasted lamb bone to recall offerings that the Israelites made to God;
  • unleavened bread called matzo, which is eaten all week instead of leavened bread because the Israelites lacked time even for dough to rise in their haste to escape from Egypt; and
  • a tasty mixture of nuts, apples, honey, and wine to symbolize the mortar the Jewish slaves were forced to use to build Egyptian temples.

Rituals

They are often memorised by children in a Hebrew rhyme:

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