Passover in 2025: the main Jewish prohibitions published

Adherents of Judaism begin celebrating Passover on April 12, the so—called Jewish Easter. Unlike the Christian celebration, the Jewish holiday lasts for a whole week and has a completely different meaning. On what dates does Passover begin and end in 2025 and what traditions do Jews observe during this period — read the Izvestia article.

The Jewish Easter: when is it celebrated in 2025

The Jewish Passover begins on the 14th day of the spring month of Nisan according to the Jewish lunar calendar. In Israel, the holiday period lasts for seven days, and for Jews outside the country — eight.

Jewish Easter in 2025: what date, what does Passover mean

In 2025, Passover begins on the evening of April 12 and continues through April 19-20.

What is the Jewish holiday of Passover?

On the days of Passover, adherents of Judaism celebrate the exodus of Jews from Egypt. This event in Israel is considered the birthday of the Jewish people.

According to the Bible, the Jews in Egypt were enslaved and suffered oppression and injustice. The Lord, wanting to free the enslaved people, sent calamities upon the Egyptians one after another, but even then the Pharaoh did not want to set the slaves free. Then God decided to punish the people of Egypt by killing all their firstborn.

In order for the plague to avoid the Jews, the Lord ordered the prophet Moses to do the following: every Jewish family had to slaughter a lamb and mark its front door with its blood.

The seer brought the message to the Jewish people, and on the night of the execution, on the 14th day of Nisan, the Lord passed by the marked houses and the disaster did not affect any of the Jews. Therefore, the name of the holiday — Passover — means "to pass by." The events of the terrible night allowed Moses to lead the Jews out of Egypt, thereby ridding them of slavery forever.

How Jews celebrate Passover on April 12-20

In preparation for the holiday, Jews carefully clean their homes, cleaning up and throwing away everything superfluous. Religion also prescribes Jews to get rid of any products that have undergone the fermentation process — they cannot even be stored in the house. Bread, beer, and kvass are also prohibited. During the Passover period, only unleavened bread made from wheat flour, matzo, can be eaten from flour. So, according to legend, the Jews had to eat in the desert, because, leaving their homes, they did not wait until the dough finally rose.

Happy Passover: beautiful postcards and congratulations on the Jewish Easter

Pesach involves other rules of nutrition. So, on the evening of the first day of Passover, Jewish families gather for a seder dinner. Matzo, zroa (a piece of grilled meat on the bone), maror (bitter greens), haroset (a mixture of grated apples, nuts and dates), hazeret (grated horseradish), boiled eggs are served on the table.

It is customary to dip greens in salt water at dinner — it symbolizes the tears shed by Jews in Egyptian slavery and the sea they had to cross when leaving this region.

Jewish adults also observe another important custom — they drink four glasses of wine or grape juice, one for each promise of the Lord made to the people of Israel. Another, fifth, glass is filled for the Prophet Eliyahu, who one day must return to earth and announce the Last Judgment. Throughout the dinner, Jews recite prayers.

Other days of the celebration are dedicated to rest, spending time with family and loved ones, and going on visits. Many Jews work a shortened schedule on Passover days or even leave for the weekend.

The Jewish Passover: what not to do on Passover

In addition to restrictions on food during the Jewish Passover, you should not burden yourself with heavy physical labor, including hand washing. It is not allowed to work in the garden or vegetable garden. Before the end of Easter week, you need to postpone haircuts and shaving.