Why do Jews celebrate Passover?
Jews celebrate Passover to commemorate and relive the biblical story of the Israelite liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The holiday, also known as Pesach, is one of the most significant and widely observed holidays in Judaism. It symbolizes freedom, redemption, and the birth of the Jewish nation.
According to the Book of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people were enslaved in Egypt for generations until Moses, their leader, confronted Pharaoh, the Egyptian ruler, and demanded their release. After Pharaoh refused several times, God visited ten plagues upon the Egyptians, leading to the eventual freedom of the Israelites.
The name "Passover" refers to the final plague, in which God passed over the houses of the Israelites, sparing their first-born children while causing the death of the first-borns of the Egyptians. Following this event, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Jewish people leave Egypt.
During the eight-day celebration of Passover, Jews retell the story of their liberation through the Passover Seder, a special festive meal. They eat matzah (unleavened bread) to remember the haste in which they had to leave Egypt, not having enough time to let their bread rise. Additionally, they refrain from consuming any food or products containing leavened grains, known as chametz, to commemorate this aspect of the Exodus story.
Passover also incorporates themes of renewal and springtime, as it typically falls during the Jewish month of Nissan, when new life and growth are observed in nature. The holiday serves as a time for Jews to reflect on their personal freedom, gratitude, and the ongoing struggle for liberation from oppression in all forms.