Passover, also known as Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the biblical story of the Israelites escape from slavery in Egypt. The holiday begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which is considered the first month of the Hebrew year, and lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days among the Jewish diaspora. Key features of Passover include:

• Seder: This is a special family meal held on the first night of Passover, which is often celebrated with great pomp and ceremony. The Seder is a carefully choreographed ritual meal that takes place at home with family and friends or with the community. It is both a sumptuous feast as well as an educational experience for children and adults alike. The Seder begins by reading the Haggadah, a 2000-year-old book which retells the story of the Exodus from Egypt in detail.

• Matzo: During Passover, all leaven, whether in bread or other mixture, is prohibited, and only unleavened bread, called matzo, may be eaten. The matzo symbolizes both the Hebrews’ suffering while in bondage and the haste with which they left Egypt in the course of the Exodus.

• Prohibitions: Strict dietary laws must be observed during Passover, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration.

• History: Passover celebrates the biblical account of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and their escape from Pharaohs army. The name “Passover” is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, which means "passed over," referring to the fact that God "passed over" the houses of the Jews when he was slaying the firstborn of Egypt during the last of the ten plagues.

Passover is widely observed and celebrated by Jews around the world. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of freedom and liberation.