The Jewish festival of Passover: an important festival of liberation and tradition

03 Apr 2025

The Jewish festival of Passover: an important festival of liberation and tradition

from Alexandra

Passover (Pesach) is one of the central festivals in the Jewish calendar and commemorates the liberation of the people of Israel from Egyptian slavery. It is a festival of freedom, remembrance and coming together. Every year in spring, in the month of Nissan, Jews around the world celebrate Pesach to commemorate the events that led to the Israelites’ liberation from bondage and marked the beginning of their journey to freedom.

The story of Passover

The story of Passover is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative of the Exodus, which is described in the Book of Exodus in the Torah. According to tradition, the Israelites lived as slaves in Egypt for centuries. Under the leadership of Moses and with God’s help, the Jewish people finally freed themselves from slavery. The decisive turning point came when God sent the ten plagues upon Egypt, with the last plague, the death of the firstborn, forcing Pharaoh to let the Israelites go.

Passover commemorates these dramatic events and the final crossing of the Sea of Reeds, which paved the way to freedom. It is a festival of remembrance and thanksgiving for liberation, but also a time associated with our own experiences of oppression and freedom.

Passover commemorates these dramatic events and the final crossing of the Sea of Reeds, which paved the way to freedom.

The Seder: the centerpiece of Passover

The most important ritual of Passover is the Seder, a festive evening that marks the beginning of the festival. The Seder is a set, traditional meal that includes both culinary delights and religious rituals. The Seder is held on the first and sometimes the second evening of Passover. During the Seder, a specific sequence of rituals and symbols are performed that bring the story of the Exodus to life.

A central component of the Seder is the Seder plate (Kearah), which is filled with various symbolic foods:

Matzah: Unleavened bread, reminiscent of the haste with which the Israelites had to leave Egypt. They did not have time to let their dough rise and so the bread remained unleavened. Matzah is eaten several times during the Seder and plays a central role in the prayers and blessings.
Maror: Bitter herbs, mostly horseradish, symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt. The pungency of horseradish is intended to illustrate the suffering of the Israelites during their captivity.
Charoset: A sweet mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon, which represents the mortar that the Israelites had to use during forced labor for the Egyptians. It is a reminder of the hard work and pain of slavery, but also a symbol of hope and the sweetness of liberation.
Karpas: A green plant, often parsley, which is dipped in salt water. The salt water symbolizes the tears of the Israelites in slavery, and the fresh green reminds us of spring and the new life associated with freedom.
Z’roa: A piece of bone, usually from a lamb, reminiscent of the sacrificial lamb that was sacrificed in Jerusalem during the time of the Temple. It is not eaten, but serves as a symbolic sign of the Passover sacrifice.
Beitzah: A hard-boiled egg that commemorates the sacrifice made in the temple during Passover. It also symbolizes the cycle of life and the hope for the rebuilding of the temple.
Chazeret (optional): A second portion of bitter herbs that can be eaten in addition to maror.

During the Seder, the Haggadah is also read aloud – a book that tells the story of the Exodus, contains prayers and gives instructions on how to perform the Seder. The children play an important role by asking questions and thus actively shaping the course of the Seder.

The four cups of wine

Another central ritual of the Seder is the drinking of four cups of wine. Each cup represents a promise of God to the people of Israel, which is mentioned in the Torah: “I will bring you out, save you, deliver you and take you.” Drinking the four cups of wine is an expression of thanksgiving and the joy of deliverance.

The matzah and the meaning of unleavened bread

Jews do not eat leavened foods during the entire Passover festival, as the leavened bread is a reminder of the quick departure from Egypt when the Israelites did not have time to let their dough rise. The matzah, the unleavened bread, is therefore a symbol of haste and the lack of time to prepare the usual bread.

Modern meaning and traditions

Although Passover is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, the festival has also acquired a significant modern dimension over the centuries. It is not only a time to celebrate the story of the Exodus, but also to reflect on the importance of freedom, justice and responsibility for others.

In many families, there are additional customs and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. These include singing traditional Passover songs, explaining the meaning of the festival, sharing stories and celebrating with friends and family.

Passover is a celebration of community. It is an opportunity to come together, remember the past, celebrate the present and shape the future with hope and freedom. It reminds the Jewish community and the world of the central importance of freedom and justice for all people.

The Jewish festival of Passover is far more than just a religious ritual; it is a deeply rooted symbol of freedom, overcoming oppression and the pursuit of justice. It is a time to pause, look back and renew one’s connection to the roots of Jewish history. Through the celebration of the Seder, the sharing of symbols and the telling of the Exodus story, Passover becomes a living celebration of remembrance, hope and liberation every year.