Pesach: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Pesach (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Pesach is observed on April 5th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Pesach, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as important facts you might want to know about Pesach.

📅 What day is Pesach 2024?

In 2024, Pesach is on Wednesday, April 5th. It is the 1st Wednesday in April; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can view all the cool details and facts about April 5, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

We honor and embrace holidays that promote a sense of unity, and Pesach, which falls on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and will take place from April 5 to April 13 this year, captivates us with its meaningful ideals. Known as Passover in many parts of the world, this holiday symbolizes the determination and resilience of Moses and his followers in the face of oppression and injustice. While Pesach holds significant traditions for the Jewish community, it is also a time for individuals to celebrate with their own unique customs. For example, many Jews have special flatware and silverware that they exclusively use during the Passover festivities.

📜 Pesach History

The holiday story starts with Joseph fleeing to ancient Egypt due to a severe famine in Canaan. Joseph was part of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. As the Jewish population grew, tensions arose between the native Egyptians and the migrating Jews. Eventually, these tensions led to the Jews being enslaved by a chosen pharaoh, who also ordered the drowning of all Jewish firstborn boys.

Moses, a firstborn son who was spared from drowning, pleaded with Pharaoh multiple times to free the oppressed Jews and change his ways. However, the arrogant ruler refused to listen. In response, God brought ten plagues upon Egypt, including hailstorms and the Nile turning red. Moses and his fellow Jews were protected from these disasters. Later, Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt, taking only the essentials with them. To commemorate this tragedy, various Pesach customs are observed.

When Moses and his people left Egypt, they brought matzah as their food. Additionally, “Chrain” (horseradish) and “charoset” (a sweet mixture of fruits and nuts) are also significant dishes. While many Jews celebrate the festival for seven days, those in the Jewish diaspora observe it for eight days. The number of days is determined by “Yom Tov Sheni Shel Galuyot,” which signifies an extra day of celebration for individuals living outside of Israel.

✅ Pesach Facts

🔖 Parsley and salt signifies bitter tears
Another way to symbolize the pain and hardship suffered by Jewish slaves is by presenting salt-covered parsley.

🔖 Vegetarian Jews are allowed vegetarian options at Seder
A lamb shank bone is traditionally used during the Jewish Seder, but for vegetarian Jews, beets can be used as a substitute instead.

🔖 Matzah has varying spellings
Over the years, the spelling of matzah has varied due to its Hebrew origins and the absence of a direct English equivalent. It has been written as matzo, matzoh, and matza to accommodate different interpretations.

👍 Why Is Pesach Important

There’s something to be said about how the human spirit can go on to do great things if we simply keep our heads held high. Freedom is a fundamental right that no one can take away, regardless of gender, color, religion, or other factors.

Remembering historical events for their anguish and pain, as well as their great successes, is an act of affirmation. A 360-degree vision of history allows us to appreciate all of the nice things in life that our forefathers did not enjoy.

Every food item during the Seder has a historical significance tied to the celebration, from matzah to wine and even lettuce leaves. This is an excellent approach to becoming acquainted with the many components of Pesach.

🙂 How To Observe Pesach

⚡ Try matzah!
At National Today, one of our favorite things is Matzah, mainly because it involves food. During the holiday, many Jews eat this flatbread to commemorate Moses and his followers. The best part is that you can easily make it at home using just wheat flour and water.

⚡ Celebrate with your Jewish friends
Celebrate with your loved ones and participate in the festivities. Help make their day even more special by lending a hand in the preparations. The more people that come together for this celebration of unity, the happier it will be!

⚡ Visit a synagogue to learn more about Judaism
While the internet is a valuable tool for research and accessing information, it has its limitations in terms of practical knowledge. To truly understand historical events and facts, it is essential to visit a synagogue, as it provides a more immersive experience and a deeper understanding.

📅 When is Pesach?

See all 🔗 April holidays, including 🔗 Religious and other 🔗 Festivities holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about Pesach. So be sure to check back soon.