War, hostages, antisemitism: A somber backdrop to this year's Passover observances
Passover is a major Jewish holiday, celebrated over seven or eight days each year, commemorating the exodus of ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt, as recounted in the Bible. To many Jews, it symbolizes freedom and the birth of a Jewish nation.
This year, for many Jews, the holiday’s mood will be somber due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the rise of antisemitic incidents elsewhere.
WHEN IS PASSOVER THIS YEAR?
Passover – known as Pesach in Hebrew -- begins on April 22. By tradition, it will be celebrated for seven days in Israel and for eight days by some Jews in the rest of the world.
WHAT ARE KEY PASSOVER RITUALS AND TRADITIONS?
For many Jews, Passover is a time to reunite with family and recount the exodus from Egypt at a meal called the Seder. Observant Jews avoid grains known as chametz, a reminder of the unleavened bread the Israelites ate when they fled Egypt quickly with no time for dough to rise. Cracker-like matzo is OK to eat; most breads, pastas, cakes and cookies are off-limits.
Related articles
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle
NEW YORK (AP) — “Baffling” is how Ray Romano calls the continued success of “Everybody Loves Raymond2024-05-21Alicudi: Italian island offers goats up for adoption
By Hafsa KhalilGoats outnumber people six to one on the Italian island of Alicudi, a census has esti2024-05-21US Postal Service seeks to hike stamp prices to 73 cents
Washington —The United States Postal Service (USPS) said on Tuesday it wants to raise the price of f2024-05-21Samoa citizenship bill passes first hurdle in Parliament with help of ACT and NZ First
By Audrey Young of2024-05-21I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
I need your help. My friend K has been recently telling our friendship group about how dire his fina2024-05-21Four killed, several injured as race car hits spectators at Hungary rally
A vehicle competing in the Esztergom Nyerges Rally left the road and crashed into spectators on Sund2024-05-21
atest comment