The Origins of Jewish Passover |
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 The ways and customs of Jewish Passover
Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish religion; it is the high point of the liturgical year. It celebrates the flight from Egypt and the liberation of the slaves according to the Bible’s book of Exodus. “Passover” comes from the Hebrew “Pesah” or “Pessah” which means message.
When it came time to flee Egypt with Moses as their leader, the Hebrews, not wanting to waste any time, made due with unleavened bread. Each year since then, the Israelites have commemorated this event during Passover.
During the Jewish Passover meal, the Seder, giving thanks is a very important aspect of the ceremony; the head of the family tells the story of the liberation of Israel while saying grace. The bread is then broken, blessed and distributed. Before the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem in 1970, a lamb that had been sacrificed at the temple would be eaten along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
After the meal, the head of the family says a prayer of thanks and the Third Cup of Wine, the Cup of Blessing, is consumed. The reciting of the Hallel is then completed and with the drinking of the Fourth Cup of Wine, the ceremony ends.
When is Jewish Passover celebrated?Jewish Passover is celebrated at the same time of the year as Christian Easter, which is at the beginning of spring, but not on the same day. Jewish Passover takes place during the first month of the year and lasts 8 days; it begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan and ends on the 22nd.
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Easter 
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