How to Celebrate the First Day of Passover

Passover is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It marks the beginning of the Jewish nation and their freedom to worship God. The first day of Passover is celebrated on the 15th day of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar, which is usually early April. The following steps will show how to celebrate the first day of Passover.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Read Chapter 12, verses 21 to 51 in the book of Exodus. This section deals with the Passover offering, the Plague of the Firstborn and how the Israelites left Egypt.

2. Eat at least one piece of matzo during each day of Passover. This is done to fulfill the requirement to eat unleavened bread. One glass of wine is also customarily consumed on each day of Passover.

3. Abstain from work on the first day of Passover just as with any Sabbath. This restriction is followed in both Conservative and Orthodox Judaism, and most of the other observances of the Sabbath are also adhered to on this day.

4. Gather the family together on the first night of Passover for a Seder. This is a special dinner that follows a specific ritual. The table is usually set with special Passover dishware and silverware.

5. Conduct the Seder according to the Haggadah. This is a text that describes the 15 parts of the Seder that must be followed. The highlights include the retelling of the Exodus from Egypt and the drinking of four cups of wine during the narrative.

Resources

• Learn more about Torah readings during Passover.