Why does passover last seven days

As you can see, the Torah indicates that Pesach is to last seven days and the first and last days of the holiday are to be special.

For Reform Jews, that means holding services on the first and seventh days. For others, this means holding services on days 1 and 2 plus days 7 and 8. Conservative and Orthodox Jews "double" the first and last days because, long ago when the Jewish calendar was set month by month, uncertainty about the exact date of festivals outside Israel arose.

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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. When is Passover, and how long does it last? Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Part of Everything you need to know about Passover. Everything you need to know about Passover. The Israelites took their unleavened dough with them - they hadn't had time to add the yeast - and lived on this for the first few days of their Exodus.

Learning Zone video: The Passover Story. Every year, Jews celebrate the Feast of Passover to commemorate the liberation of the Children of Israel, as commanded by God in Exodus Learning Zone video: The meaning of Passover for young Jews today. Passover lasts seven days - the first and seventh days are observed as full days of rest yom tov , and the middle five as intermediate holidays hol ha-moed.

The Torah says to celebrate Passover for seven days, but Jews in the Diaspora lived too far away from Israel to receive word as to when to begin their observances and an additional day of celebration was added to be on the safe side. Before celebrations can begin the house must be cleaned from top to bottom to remove any traces of chametz leaven from the home. This commemorates the Jews leaving Egypt who did not have time to let their bread rise, but also symbolises removing 'puffiness' arrogance, pride from their souls.

The day before Passover begins there is a ritual search for chametz in every home. The children usually join in with great enthusiasm. A Jew may not eat chametz or derive benefit from it during Passover. He may not even own it or feed it to animals. Any chametz in his possession, or utensils used to prepare food with chametz, have to be temporarily 'sold' to non-Jews. They can be bought back after the holiday.

You can even sell your chametz online! The day before Passover begins the Fast of the Firstborn is observed. All first born males fast on this day to celebrate their escape from the Plague of the First Born. The highlight of Passover observance takes place on the first two nights, when friends and family gather together for ritual seder meals. Seder means 'order' and the ceremonies are arranged in a specific order. Special plates and cutlery are used which are kept exclusively for Passover.

Learning Zone video: Buying kosher food for Pesach. The Haggadah is a book which tells in fourteen steps the story of the Jewish experience in Egypt and of the Exodus and revelation of God. As the story of each of the ten plagues is read out a drop of wine is spilt to remind Jews that their liberation was tinged with sadness at the suffering of the Egyptians.

The haggadah also contains songs, blessings, psalms and Four Questions. These four questions are:. Unleavened bread or matzo is eaten to remember the Exodus when the Israelites fled Egypt with their dough to which they had not yet added yeast. Bitter herbs, usually horseradish, are included in the meal to represent the bitterness of slavery. At the beginning of the meal a piece of potato is dipped in salt water to recall the tears the Jews shed as slaves.

In ancient times, people who were free reclined on sofas while they ate. Today cushions are placed on chairs to symbolise freedom and relaxation, in contrast to slavery. Usually the youngest person present will ask the questions and the father will respond. The paradox of this is that these four questions should be asked spontaneously, but celebrations cannot happen unless they are asked! Children are central to Passover proceedings and symbolise the continuity of the Jewish people.

Customs are designed to hold their attention. There's the hunt for the afikomen , where a piece of matzoh is hidden which children have to find and hold 'ransom' until a reward is given.

Each of the components of the meal is symbolic. The food is eaten in ritual order and its meaning and symbolism is discussed. Passover is also called The Festival of Freedom and is a celebration of freedom, not just in Biblical times, but its importance to the individual today and throughout history. Jews believe freedom to be one of the basic human rights. Readings about contemporary slavery or oppression to show solidarity with the oppressed may be included in some traditions although not in Orthodox Jewish households.

Passover can be called the Festival of Spring and was an agricultural festival which marked the beginning of the cycle of production and harvest during the time the Jews lived in ancient Palestine. Passover is also a pilgrim festival.