The Jewish Passover (Pesach) originates from one of the most pivotal moments in Jewish history: the Exodus from Egypt. It commemorates God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery and is rooted in the story found in Exodus 12.
Here’s a breakdown of its origin:
🌅 Historical Background
- The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years.
- God raised Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of His people.
- Pharaoh refused, so God sent ten plagues on Egypt.
🩸 The 10th Plague & the First Passover
- The final plague was the death of the firstborn in every Egyptian household.
- To protect the Israelites, God gave them specific instructions:
👉 Exodus 12:3–14 — Key Instructions:
- Each family was to take an unblemished lamb.
- Kill it at twilight and spread its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their homes.
- Roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs.
- Stay inside until morning.
Why “Passover”?
When God passed through Egypt to strike down the firstborn, He “passed over” the homes marked with lamb’s blood.
(Exodus 12:13: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.”)
📜 Meaning & Legacy
- God commanded the Israelites to celebrate Passover annually as a memorial of their deliverance (Exodus 12:14).
- It became the foundation of Jewish identity: a people rescued by God, set apart for His purposes.
✡️ Passover Today
Modern Passover is a seven- or eight-day festival, with a special meal called the Seder, which retells the story of the Exodus through symbolic foods, prayers, and readings from the Haggadah.
The Haggadah (Hebrew: הַגָּדָה, meaning “telling”) is a special book used during the Jewish holiday of Passover (Pesach) that guides the Seder meal and tells the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
📖 What’s in the Haggadah?
The Haggadah isn’t just a story—it’s a structured blend of:
- Biblical narrative (especially from Exodus)
- Prayers and blessings
- Traditional songs
- Rabbinic commentary
- Symbolic instructions for eating and drinking during the Seder
It fulfills the commandment from Exodus 13:8:
“You shall tell your child on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’”
🕯️ Structure of the Haggadah (Simplified)
- Kiddush – Blessing over wine
- Four Questions (Ma Nishtanah) – Asked by the youngest person at the table
- The Story of the Exodus – Including mention of the Ten Plagues
- Dayenu – A song of gratitude (“It would have been enough!”)
- Explanation of the Seder symbols – Matzah, bitter herbs, etc.
- Second cup of wine
- Meal
- Afikoman – Hidden piece of matzah that kids search for
- Praise and songs – Including “Chad Gadya” and “Echad Mi Yodea”
🕊️ Purpose of the Haggadah
- Educate: Teach each generation the story of their ancestors’ deliverance
- Remember: Keep the memory of slavery and freedom alive
- Participate: Make everyone at the table feel like they, too, were brought out of Egypt
So, in short:
The Haggadah is the Passover playbook—a mix of storytelling, ritual, and reflection that brings the Exodus to life every year.