Celebrating Passover: A Guide to the Jewish Festival of Freedom

Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, stands as one of the most significant and cherished holidays in the Jewish calendar. This festival commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from centuries of slavery in ancient Egypt, an event vividly recounted in the Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible. More than just a historical remembrance, Passover is a vibrant celebration of freedom, renewal, and community that blends ancient rituals with contemporary meaning.

The Origin of Passover

The narrative of Passover begins with the Jewish people's journey to Egypt, initially as welcomed guests during the time of Joseph, a high-ranking official in Pharaoh’s court. 

Over generations, their numbers grew, sparking fear among the Egyptian rulers. A new Pharaoh, unnamed in the Bible, enslaved the Jews, subjecting them to grueling labor building cities like Pithom and Ramses. 

According to tradition, God chose Moses, a Hebrew raised in Pharaoh’s palace, to confront the Egyptian ruler and demand the release of his people. When Pharaoh refused, God unleashed ten plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate divine power and compel obedience.

 

These plagues were: turning the Nile River to blood, infestations of frogs, lice, and wild beasts, a devastating pestilence on livestock, painful boils on humans and animals, destructive hail mixed with fire, swarms of locusts that devoured crops, a thick darkness that engulfed the land for three days, and finally, the death of every Egyptian firstborn son. 

The name "Passover" derives from this last plague, as Jewish homes, marked with lamb’s blood on their doorposts, were spared—God "passed over" them. 

Overwhelmed by this loss, Pharaoh relented, and the Jews fled Egypt. In their rush, they baked bread without leavening, resulting in the flat, unleavened matzo that remains a cornerstone of the holiday.

The Significance of Passover

Passover goes beyond recounting history - it celebrates freedom’s victory over bondage. It reaffirms the Jewish bond with God, who promised to deliver and protect them. The holiday invites reflection on personal and collective freedom, touching on universal ideals like justice and dignity. 

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks put it best: "Passover is the festival of freedom, but freedom isn’t just escaping shackles. It’s about finding meaning and purpose." This blend of looking back and reaching forward keeps Passover vibrant and relevant.

When is Passover in 2025?

Passover arrives in spring, starting on the 15th of Nisan in the Hebrew lunar calendar. In 2025, it begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, lasting seven days in Israel until sundown on Saturday, April 19. 

For Jews in the Diaspora, it extends to eight days, ending at sundown on Sunday, April 20. The extra day traces back to ancient times when calendar uncertainties called for caution. Spring’s arrival pairs beautifully with themes of renewal, reflecting nature’s own awakening.

How to Celebrate Passover: A Step-by-Step Guide

Celebrating Passover involves meticulous preparation, a central ritual meal called the seder, and specific customs that bring the Exodus story to life. Below is a comprehensive guide to celebrating this holiday.

Getting Ready - Clearing Out Chametz

Weeks before Passover, Jewish households undertake a thorough cleaning to remove chametz any leavened food or product containing wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has risen. This includes bread, pasta, and even crumbs lurking in kitchens or furniture. The process, called kashering, symbolizes the removal of spiritual "puffiness" or pride, echoing the humility of the fleeing slaves. Appliances like ovens and stoves are scrubbed or heated to purge chametz traces, and everyday dishes are replaced with Passover-specific ones.

On the night before Passover, families perform bedikat chametz, a ceremonial search for any remaining leavened items. Using a candle, feather, and wooden spoon, they search the home, often planting small pieces of bread for children to find. The collected chametz is burned the next morning in a ritual called bi’ur chametz, accompanied by a declaration nullifying any overlooked leaven. 

Shopping for Passover involves stocking up on kosher-for-Passover foods like matzo, fresh produce, and specially certified meats and desserts.

The Seder: The Heart of Passover

The seder, meaning "order" in Hebrew, is a ritual feast held on the first night of Passover (and the second night in the Diaspora). Guided by the Haggadah—a text meaning "telling"—it follows a structured 15-step sequence that retells the Exodus story through prayers, songs, and symbolic foods.

Here are the steps:

The seder plate, central to the ritual, includes a roasted lamb shankbone (zeroa) for the Paschal lamb, a roasted egg (beitzah) for life and sacrifice, maror for slavery's bitterness, charoset for the mortar used in construction, karpas for spring renewal, and three matzos, possibly representing priests, Levites, and commoners, or the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Four cups of wine are drunk, each tied to God's promises of redemption: "I will bring you out," "deliver you," "redeem you," and "take you to Me for a people." Some also set a fifth cup, the "cup of Elijah," for the Messiah, filled but not drunk, symbolizing hope.

Variations Across Jewish Communities

Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic Traditions

Ashkenazi Jews (from Eastern Europe) often make charoset with apples, nuts, and wine, while Sephardic Jews (from Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East) use dates, figs, and spices. Ashkenazi custom avoids kitniyot like legumes, rice, and corn during Passover. This is a restriction Sephardic Jews typically do not follow.

Israel vs. Diaspora

In Israel, Passover lasts seven days with one seder, reflecting the biblical command, while the Diaspora observes eight days with two seders, the second often more informal. Israelis may visit historical sites, while Diaspora communities host large public seders.

How to Decorate for Passover

Decorating for Passover transforms your home into a welcoming space that reflects the holiday’s themes of freedom, renewal, and joy. 

Here’s how to get it right:

Start with a Clean Slate

Since Passover prep involves kashering your home to remove chametz, use this fresh start as your decorating foundation. Clear clutter from dining and living areas to create an open, airy feel that mirrors the liberation story. A clean table becomes the perfect canvas for your seder setup.

Choose a Color Palette

Lean into spring hues to echo renewal with soft whites and creams for purity, greens for growth, and blues to recall the Red Sea’s parting. Add gold or silver accents for a touch of festivity, symbolizing the preciousness of freedom. Tablecloths, napkins, and runners in these shades set a cohesive tone. For instance, these "In Jerusalem Passover Napkins" can enhance your table setting.​

Craft a Stunning Seder Table

The seder table is the heart of the celebration, so make it special. Use a crisp white tablecloth as a base, layered with a runner in green or blue. An "Artistic Lucite Passover Seder Plate" can serve as a striking centerpiece, surrounded by small bowls of salt water for dipping karpas. Add wine glasses for each guest, plus an extra ornate one for Elijah’s cup, a goblet with subtle designs works well. Scatter fresh flowers like tulips or daffodils in low vases to bring in spring’s energy without crowding the table. Additionally, incorporating "Passover Tablescatters" can add a festive touch.

Incorporate Symbolic Touches

Weave in Passover’s story with subtle decor. Stack extra matzos in a decorative basket or on a tiered stand near the table, wrapped in a cloth napkin for a rustic look. The "Passover Splash Melamine Tray" can be a stylish option for this purpose. Place a small bowl of charoset or a sprig of parsley tied with twine at each setting as a nod to the seder plate. 

For kids, hide afikomen bags—simple cloth pouches with playful patterns—around the room as both decor and part of the fun. Engaging them with activities like the "Passover Mosaic Foam Art Kit" can also enhance their experience.​

Light Up the Space

Candles bring warmth and sanctity to Passover. Set out candlesticks with white or pastel candles for the holiday blessings, placing them on the table or a sideboard. Soft lighting from a lamp or string lights in a corner can add ambiance without overpowering the mood, keeping the focus on the seder.

Hang Meaningful Accents

For walls or entryways, hang a lightweight wreath of greenery or grapevines, symbolizing the harvest and wine’s role in the seder. A simple banner with "Pesach Sameach" (Happy Passover) in Hebrew or English adds a festive touch. Avoid heavy garlands or overly bold pieces to keep the look clean and tied to tradition.

Keep It Functional and Festive

Balance beauty with practicality. Use place cards with guests’ names in calligraphy to guide seating, doubling as decor. These "Passover Place Cards" can add an elegant touch. Set out Haggadahs with covers in your color scheme, stacked neatly or placed at each spot. A small pitcher of water and basin near the table for hand-washing rituals ties function to the theme.

Conclusion

Passover weaves history, ritual, and hope into a powerful celebration of liberation. From the meticulous seder to the symbolic foods, it connects Jews to their past while inspiring a vision for a freer future. 

Whether you’re hosting a traditional seder or adapting it to modern themes, Passover offers a profound way to honor resilience and community.