Passover Traditions Around the World

From Matzah to Maror, Uncovering the Diverse Customs of Passover Celebrations

Passover, known as Pesach, is among the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays worldwide. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the Hebrew Bible.

While the basic story remains the same, the customs and traditions of Passover can vary greatly depending on the country and culture in which it is observed. From the Seder plate to the Afikomen, each ritual and practice offers a unique window into the rich cultural history of Jewish communities worldwide.

Here are some global destination where Passover is celebrated:

1. Israel: Pesach is celebrated for seven days in Israel and is a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar. During the holiday, there are many special events and activities throughout the country, including public Seders, traditional Passover markets, and the reading of the Haggadah.
2. United States: Celebrated by the Jewish community in the United States, many synagogues and community centers hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to the holidayr, such as kosher food fairs and lectures on the holiday’s themes.
3. Canada: Passover is celebrated by the Jewish community in Canada and is observed similarly in the United States. Many communities hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover, such as cultural festivals and food markets.
4. United Kingdom: The Jewish community in the United Kingdom celebrates with family gatherings and the sharing of traditional foods. Many synagogues and community centers hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover, such as concerts and exhibitions.
5. Australia: Pesach is celebrated by the Jewish community in Australia and is a time for reflection and remembrance. Many communities hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover, such as cultural festivals and stories on the holiday’s themes.
6. South Africa: Passover is celebrated by the Jewish community in South Africa and is a time for family gatherings and the sharing of traditional foods. Many synagogues and community centers hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover, such as food markets and cultural festivals.
7. France: Celebrated by the Jewish community in France, the holiday is marked by traditional Seders and the eating of matzah and other Passover foods.
8. Argentina: Jewish communities in Argentina, is a time for family gatherings and the sharing of traditional foods. Many synagogues and community centers hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover.
9. Brazil: In Brazil, observes Pesach with traditional Seders and the eating of matzah and other Passover foods. There are also often public events and activities related to Passover, such as cultural festivals and lectures.
10. Mexico: The holiday is celebrated by the Jewish community in Mexico and is a time for family gatherings and sharing traditional foods. Many synagogues and community centers hold Seders, and there are often public events and activities related to Passover.
11. India: Pesach is celebrated by the Jewish community in India, particularly in Mumbai. The holiday is observed with traditional Seders and the eating of matzah and other Passover foods.
12. Russia: Passover is celebrated by the Jewish community in Russia and is observed with traditional Seders and the eating of matzah and other Passover foods. There are also often public events and activities related to the holiday.

In all of these places, the holiday is celebrated with the Seder, a festive meal on the first two nights of the holiday.

The Seder includes:

• The retelling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt.
• The eating of traditional foods.
• The recitation of prayers and blessings.

Here are some of the traditional foods that are typically served at the Seder:

Matzah: Matzah is a flat, unleavened bread staple of the Passover diet. It is eaten to commemorate the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt and is used in several symbolic ways throughout the Seder.

Maror: Maror is a bitter herb, such as horseradish or romaine lettuce, that is eaten to symbolize the bitterness of slavery. It is typically eaten as part of the Karpas, the first of four cups of wine consumed during the Seder.

Charoset: Charoset is a sweet mixture of fruits, nuts, and spices eaten to symbolize the mortar used by the Israelites to build the pyramids in Egypt. The ingredients of charoset vary depending on regional and cultural traditions but typically include chopped apples or dates, walnuts, honey, and cinnamon.

Zeroa: Zeroa is a roasted lamb shank bone placed on the Seder plate to symbolize the lamb sacrificed in the Temple in Jerusalem during the time of the Exodus. Some Jewish communities substitute a chicken neck or a beet instead of a lamb shank.

Beitzah: Beitzah is a hard-boiled egg often used as a symbol of the circle of life and springtime renewal. It is also sometimes interpreted as a reminder of the sacrifice made in the Temple.

Salt water: Salt water is served at the Seder as a reminder of the tears shed by the Israelites during their time in slavery in Egypt. It is typically used as a dip for the Karpas, the vegetable eaten at the beginning of the Seder.

Other traditional dishes, such as chicken soup with matzah balls, gefilte fish, and brisket. The meal often concludes with dessert, which may have a variety of treats, such as macaroons, flourless chocolate cake, or fruit compote.

Did you know?

In Jewish tradition, there are 18-minutes during which the dough for matzah must be prepared and baked to meet the requirements of being considered kosher for Passover.

According to Jewish law, matzah must be made from flour and water that are not allowed to come into contact with each other for an extended period. This prevents the dough from rising and fermenting, making it unsuitable for the holiday’s consumption.

A little history:

Matzah is an unleavened bread traditionally eaten by Jews during the holiday. The history of matzah can be traced back to the story of the Jewish people’s exodus from Egypt, as told in the Hebrew Bible.

According to the Bible, the Jewish people were enslaved in Egypt and were ultimately freed by Moses, who led them on a journey through the desert to the land of Israel. During their hasty departure from Egypt, the Jewish people did not have time to allow their bread to rise, so they ate unleavened bread, known as matzah.

Jews have observed the tradition of eating matzah during the holiday for thousands of years, which is considered a central part of the holiday’s observance. Matzah is made from flour and water, and it is baked quickly without allowing it to rise, which is why it is flat and cracker-like in appearance.

Today, matzah is produced in large quantities by Jewish communities worldwide, and it is sold in stores during the weeks leading up to the holiday. Some companies also have gluten-free matzah for those who cannot consume wheat products.