Passover is an important holiday celebrated by Jewish people around the world. It takes place in March or April and lasts eight days. It is a joyful holiday that celebrates the freedom of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.
The story of Passover tells that God sent ten plagues (punishments) to force the king of Egypt to free the Jews. The word "Passover" comes from the 10th plague, the death of all firstborn Egyptian sons.
The Jews were spared this punishment because Moses told them to mark their doors with lamb's blood so that the angel of death would pass over them. The plague did not spare the king's son. It was then that the king ordered Moses and the Jews to leave Egypt.
On the first night of Passover, friends and family gather for a special meal called a seder. Before the meal, the story of Passover is told through songs and prayers.
The most important food of the holiday is matzah, which is a bread made with only flour and water. It is unleavened, which means that it is flat because the dough doesn't rise. Matzah is a reminder of the bread the Jews took with them when they fled from Egypt. They did not have time to let the dough rise because they were in a big hurry to leave.
For the eight days of Passover, Jews eat matzah instead of bread to remind them of their freedom from slavery.
Source: worksheetsplus.com/Reading/Passover.html What Is Passover?
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