The celebration of Passover or Pesach is an annual weeklong commemoration in Judaism. The festival celebrates the emancipation of the Jewish people from slavery and dates back to the ancient Egyptian period. Here we’re exploring the history behind Passover and some interesting, unusual, and little-known facts about the celebration.
Join us at Sky HISTORY as we explain when Passover 2025 is, all the unique traditions, and how the festival is celebrated in the UK.
When is Passover 2025?
Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays. It commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the Book of Exodus. It celebrates themes of freedom, redemption, and faith. The dates of Passover change each year and are based on the traditional Hebrew calendar.
Pesach 2025 (the Hebrew word for Passover) begins at sunset on Saturday, 12th April 2025, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, 20th April 2025. It’s observed for seven days in Israel and by Reform Jews, and eight days by many outside Israel. The main celebration of Passover takes place each evening after nightfall.
What is the meaning of Passover?
The background of the festival lies in the biblical account of the Exodus. The Israelites were enslaved by Pharaoh, enduring harsh conditions and forced labour. Moses was chosen to lead them to freedom, but Pharaoh refused to release them. 10 plagues were inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh, the last being the death of the firstborn.
The Israelites were spared this final plague by marking their doorposts with lamb’s blood, prompting the Angel of Death to ‘pass over’ their homes. This act gave the holiday its name, Passover. After the final plague, Pharaoh relented, and the Israelites fled Egypt in haste, leaving no time for their bread to rise. This is why matzah, or unleavened bread, is a central symbol and tradition of the holiday.
Passover is celebrated with a Seder, a ritual meal. It retells the Exodus story through the Haggadah and symbolic foods help everyone (including small children) engage with the fascinating origin story. Bitter herbs represent the bitterness of slavery. Charoset is a sweet mix that symbolises mortar. The holiday also bans chametz (leavened products). It symbolises humility and purity.
How is Passover celebrated?
On the first evening of Passover, people celebrate together with a special seder night, an evening that’s planned thoroughly during the weeks leading up to the day. In some homes, people enjoy a seder night on the second evening of the festival as well. The typical seder features a table full of family and friends all coming together to celebrate well-honed and honoured traditions. The table is usually set with symbols, wine, and stories ready to be told.
To start, celebrants will participate in traditional prayer. Some prayers are recited before any food and wine are allowed to be consumed. A special plate holds typical Passover food, commemorating the festival's traditions.
The special seder plate that sits on the table features the following symbols:
Matzoh (unleavened bread)
Matzoh symbolises how the Israelites had to leave Egypt in haste, leaving no time for their bread to rise. This is the first symbol of the story and is handed out around the table to eat after prayer and throughout the meal.
Maror (bitter herbs)
Bitter herbs symbolise the bitterness and harshness of slavery that the Israelites endured under Pharaoh's rule. Common bitter herbs used include horseradish or romaine lettuce. During the Seder, participants eat maror to connect with the suffering of their ancestors physically and emotionally.
Chazeret (bitter lettuce)
Chazeret is an additional bitter herb often placed on the Seder plate. While its role is like maror, it carries its own nuances in symbolism and tradition. In some traditions, chazeret specifically refers to the stalks of the lettuce plant, which, though mild in taste initially, can become bitter over time.
Like maror, chazeret symbolises the harshness and bitterness of the slavery endured by the Israelites in Egypt. The progression of romaine lettuce from sweet to bitter as it matures also reflects the gradual intensification of the Israelites' suffering under Pharaoh’s rule. Initially welcomed in Egypt, their treatment worsened over generations.
Chazeret is often used as a second option for maror, particularly for those who prefer a milder alternative like lettuce over horseradish.
Charoset (nut and fruit paste)
Charoset is a sweet, paste-like mixture that represents the mortar the Israelites used to build bricks during their enslavement. It is typically made with chopped apples, nuts, wine, and spices, though recipes vary by cultural tradition – some people use Matzoh to scoop the charoset up, while others prefer to eat it on its own.
The sweetness of charoset serves as a contrast to the bitterness of maror, symbolising the hope and sweetness of redemption even amidst hardship. Together, maror and charoset create a poignant combination, illustrating the duality of the Passover story: the pain of oppression and the sweetness of freedom.
Karpas (parsley, dipped in salt water or vinegar)
Parsley, or Karpas, holds important symbolic and historical significance, rooted in themes of renewal, hope, and the bittersweet experiences of the Israelites during their enslavement and liberation. During the Seder, parsley is dipped into saltwater, which symbolises the tears shed by the Israelites during their years of enslavement in Egypt. This act connects participants to the suffering of their ancestors.
By reflecting on the tears of slavery and the joy of renewal, parsley encourages humility and gratitude for the freedoms and blessings enjoyed today.
Zeroa (a lamb bone)
The lamb bone represents the Paschal lamb sacrificed by the Israelites on the eve of their departure from Egypt. As instructed in the Torah, the lamb’s blood was used to mark the doorposts of their homes so that the Angel of Death would ‘pass over’ them during the 10th plague—the death of the firstborn.
The lamb bone serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in the Temple in Jerusalem during Passover. While the Temple stood, the Paschal lamb was an integral part of the festival.
Beitzah (a roasted egg)
The Beitzah represents the Chagigah offering, a festive sacrifice brought to the Temple during the Passover festival. Since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70CE, the egg serves as a symbol of mourning for the loss of the Temple and the cessation of these sacrifices. It reminds participants of the incomplete nature of Jewish worship without the Temple and reinforces the hope for its eventual restoration.
Each one of these symbols represents a part of the festival’s story and has great significance in the order of the evening.
What are the main traditions of Passover?
As well as the seder plate, many traditions take place at Passover. Here are some of the most common ones you’ll find in most Jewish families and communities:
The Four Questions
One of the main points of the traditional seder is the maggid, the telling of the story of the Exodus from Egypt. This story begins with the youngest person at the seder reading the Mah Nishtanah ("Why is this night different?") asking the Four Questions. These questions provide the impetus for telling why this night is different from all other nights.
The purpose of the Four Questions is to spark curiosity and invite discussion around the table. The questions also provide an opportunity for parents to explain the history and significance of the rituals. Lastly, this tradition is to focus on practices that contrast the Israelites’ slavery with their newfound freedom.
The Afikomen
The tradition of hiding the afikomen, the middle piece of matzah, takes place near the beginning of the seder. Early on the afikomen is broken in half. The bigger piece is wrapped in a napkin and hidden in the house, usually by the adult leading the seder. After the meal, younger participants of the seder are encouraged to search for it, and the winner may be rewarded with a small prize. This element of fun keeps tradition and helps younger participants feel like part of the festival.
Fascinating facts about Passover
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Passover is ancient
Judaism is built around many festivals and holidays, but Passover is the oldest of them all. Over 3000 years old, it remains the longest-standing celebration in the Jewish faith and is held in particularly high regard because of this.
2. The biggest mega matzoh ball was created in NYC
The important food at the heart of Passover can also be record-breaking. The world’s largest matzoh ball was made in New York City in 2009. It was crafted by chef Anthony Silvestry and measured 22.9” wide and weighed a ginormous 267lbs.
3. Nepal is home to the world’s largest seder
Quite surprisingly, Nepal, a nation known to be Hindu and Buddhist is home to the world’s largest seder feast. It attracts more than 1000 participants and is held yearly in Kathmandu. It’s become a popular spot for Israeli travellers looking to explore the world after national service so is the perfect location for a super-sized seder.
4. Even pets eat differently at Passover
Throughout Passover, all Jewish homes must be free of chametz. This means no foods containing grains including wheat, oats, rye, barley and spelt can be in the house, even for animals to eat. There is a growing range of Passover-friendly pet food so Jewish households can fully comply with their religious duties.
5. Liberation, gratitude, and stories
Passover is far more than a historical commemoration. It is a deeply spiritual and communal experience that celebrates the enduring human yearning for freedom. Through its rituals, symbols, and stories, Passover invites participants to reflect on their journeys of liberation, gratitude, and faith, connecting past struggles with present and future hopes.
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