Pesach/Passover (Level 1)

 Pesach is a holiday that lasts 8 days in Diaspora and 7 Days in Israel. It celebrates freedom from the Egyptian bondage which lead to the emergence of the Jewish people as a nation. Hashem inflicted upon Pharaoh 10 plagues before Pharaoh finally agreed to led the children of Israel go. By celebrating Passover, it's as if being freed again and again from slavery each year. The events in the Torah are to be celebrated as such to be incorporated in the cycle of one's life each year.

There are Shabbath-like restrictions that apply on the first 2 and last 2 days. The intermediate days of Pesach are called Chol HaMoed (Day 3(2 In Israel) to 6), work is permitted, but with some resctrictions. An abridged Hallel and Mussaf is added.

One may not owe chametz on Pesach and may not eat bread products. During Passover, one eats instead matzah because when the ancient Israelites were in Egypt they left in a hurry and the dough didn't have a chance to rise. From matzah which does not rise, one can learn to be humble and modest, not "rising one's ego". Passover coincides with the time for spring cleaning though it's more than cleaning as one must remove all traces of hametz, any products that contain fermenting products or lead to fermentation. Hametz may either be burned or sold to a non-Jew for the period of Passover in which case there is a special way to relinquish one's chametz by signing a document to sell it for the period of Passover. There are special ustensils to be used for Passover in order to be Kosher for Passover, and one must keep everything kosher. The ustensils used at other times of the year are locked up so as not to be used, while the counters are to be washed with boiling water and then covered up.

How to Kosher for Passover: http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/CRC_Kashering/

When going to the supermarket to buy food, the products must be marked Kosher for Passover.

The traditional meal during Passover is called the Seder, which reenacts the Exodus, and it takes place on the first and second night. The Haddadah is read which recounts the Exodus of the ancient Israelites from Egypt. One drinks wine (4 cups), eats matzahs and bitter herbs to remember being slaves in Egypt.

A Seder plate contains the following:

• maror and chazeret: bitter herbs (horseradish, romaine lettuce) to remember the bitterness of slavery
• charoset=sweet, made from nuts, apples, cinamon, wine (and nuts honey dates also)
• karpas=parsley, potato, or celery to be dipped into salt water to remember the tears in Egypt. to be eaten after kiddush along with the question "Ma Nishtana?"
• a roasted lamb/goat shankbone (Zeroa)
• a hard boiled egg (Beitzah) which symbolizes the sacrifice brought in the Temple in Jerusalem and is a reminder of morning over the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

There is also a plate with three matzot, separated from each other through napkins. The middle one is to be broken in half and one half will be the afikoman. The top and other half matzot are for the hamotzi bracha, while the bottom matzah is for the korech. The afikoman is eaten at the end of the meal as dessert. There is the custom to hide the afikoman before the dessert and children are to find it.

On the last day of Passover there is the custom to stay awake all night long b/c during this time, the Jewish people were crossing the Red Sea.