When Does Passover 2020 Start, And What Is It?

Passover is one of the more important holidays among observant Jews, marking their ancestors' escape from Egypt under the pharaoh and their return to Israel. While it is traditionally a holiday that lasts for a week, many Jews — particularly in the United States — mark just the first two nights.

Here's a brief guide to the holiday:

When Does It Start?

It starts at sundown Wednesday and lasts for a week.

Sundown? Why Does It Start At Sundown?

In Judaism, it's not only the holidays that start at sundown but every day. In the Book of Genesis, it says that "it was evening and it was morning." So, Jews consider that to mean that the evening comes first and then morning, and that's how the days are marked. It's something that has also taken on the added meaning of: Things may seem dark at first, but there will be light and it will get better.

What Exactly Is Passover?

Did you see "The Ten Commandments"? That's pretty much the story. It commemorates Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt and back to Israel. It is the story with the 10 plagues and, while in the desert, the Jews receive the Ten Commandments.

Isn't There Something About Bread?

The story has it that the Jews were in such a rush to leave Egypt with the pharaoh's army chasing them that they did not have time for the bread they made to rise. So, Jews remember that by only eating unleavened bread – or matzoh – for the week.

Tell Me About The Seder

The Seder is the traditional meal each night of Passover. During the meal, there is a combination of special readings that tell the story of the escape from Egypt but also special foods that are used to illustrate parts of the story — bitter herbs, for instance.

So, Coronavirus?

With most states under orders to stay at home, many families are having to make significant changes in how they are celebrating this year. Many are turning to technology, using apps such as FaceTime, Zoom and Google Hangouts to organize Seders for families who are unable to get together in person. For people looking for a Seder to join over the web, just Google "Zoom Seder" and you will end up with options including guides on starting your own.

The coronavirus crisis has also made it hard to get items for the traditional Seder plate, which contains foods representing different parts of the story. Rabbis say that if you can't get an item, it is acceptable to find a picture of the item, print it out and place it on the plate.

Special Readings?

The story of Passover is relayed in a book called "The Haggadah," which is Hebrew for "the telling." It relays the story of life in Egypt, the exodus into the desert and the return to Israel. It is a mixture of stories, prayers and song.

There are many people who usually travel to someone else's Seder and use that family's "Haggadah." For those people, Haggodot.com has a setup allowing you to make your own, and even include family pictures.

The Last Supper?

Not everyone realizes this, but many people believe the Last Supper was actually a Passover Seder. The Gospels of Luke, Mark and Matthew all refer to Jesus having a Passover meal with the apostles.

Did All Of This Really Happen?

Depends who you ask, but the historic record has come up short on proof of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt and their escape. Many historians now consider it to be have been a story that got developed and passed down through generations to help establish a Jewish national identity.