Pesach/Passover

[Jewscout]

Of all the Jewish holidays, Pesach is the one most commonly observed, even by otherwise non-observant Jews. According to the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (NJPS), more than 80% of Jews have attended a Pesach seder.

Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavu'ot and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel, but little attention is paid to this aspect of the holiday. The primary observances of Pesach are related to the Exodus from Egypt after generations of slavery. This story is told in Exodus, Ch. 1-15. Many of the Pesach observances are instituted in Chs. 12-15.

The name "Pesach" (PAY-sahch, with a "ch" as in the Scottich "loch") comes from the Hebrew root Peh-Samech-Chet , meaning to pass through, to pass over, to exempt or to spare. It refers to the fact that G-d "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt. In English, the holiday is known as Passover. "Pesach" is also the name of the sacrificial offering (a lamb) that was made in the Temple on this holiday. The holiday is also referred to as Chag he-Aviv , (the Spring Festival), Chag ha-Matzoth , (the Festival of Matzahs), and Z'man Cherutenu , (the Time of Our Freedom) (again, all with those Scottish "ch"s).

http://www.jewfaq.org/holidaya.htm
http://www.aish.com/holidays/passover/default.asp

[Jewscout]

Pesach is just a few short weeks away folks!!

make sure you get all your leavened bread out and bust out the matzah!!

[Jewscout]

Pesach will begin at sundown this wed. April 12th

[Jewscout]

hope everyone's had a good Pesach so far.

our seder was wonderful, tho, as usual, a bit long (i didn't get home till 3:30am!)

good yontif!

[bahai9]

Thanks for the lesson on Passover! Happiness and peace to you and your family at this very special time of the year! --Steve--

[bahai9]

BTW, Jewscout, your 'gift' from withdrawnmist (a pretzel) looked to me like a Kosher symbol (the circled K)! I had to drift over it to see what it was.