Pesach 2025

Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the most cherished Jewish holidays, celebrating both freedom and family. Pesach commemorates the Exodus from Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. In 2025, Pesach begins on the evening of Saturday 12 April, and continues through Sunday 20 April. 

The story, as told in the Book of Exodus, begins with Joseph and his brothers (sons of Jacob) leaving the land of Canaan to settle in Egypt. Over time, the Israelites grew in number and the Pharaoh saw them as a threat. He enslaved the Israelites, forcing them into backbreaking labour. When God saw their suffering, Moses was sent with a message to deliver to the Pharaoh: “Let My people go.” 

When Pharaoh refused, Egypt was struck with ten devastating plagues. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, came on the night of 15 Nissan in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE). Before that night, God instructed Moses and Aaron that all Israelites should sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorposts. This signalled to God to “pass over” their homes, sparing their firstborns. That night, the resistance of the Pharaoh was broken and he chased his former slaves away. Moses and Aaron took their people and fled immediately. The Israelites left in such a rush that their dough didn’t have time to rise, which is why unleavened bread became a central symbol of the holiday. On that day, thousands of people left and began their journey to Mount Sinai.  

Passover is more than just a historical commemoration. It’s a time to gather with family and tell stories to celebrate resilience. The first two days and the last two days of Pesach, are observed as full holidays, with candle lighting, festive meals and time away from work. The final days are especially meaningful, as they remember the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea. The middle four days, known as Chol Hamoed, are semi-festive and are often spent outdoors, visiting family or enjoying community events.

To commemorate the unleavened bread that the Israelites ate when they left Egypt, leavened grain (chametz) is prohibited from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday. During that period, only unleavened foods are eaten. This includes matzah, a crisp flatbread that connects us back to the moment of hurried freedom.

The heart of the celebration happens on the first two nights, during a special meal called Seder. It’s a ritual rich evening where family and friends gather to retell the Exodus story, ask questions and reflect on what freedom means. Symbolic foods are eaten, such as bitter herbs (representing the bitterness of slavery), vegetables dipped in saltwater (representing the tears of the oppressed), matzah and sweet charoset. Four cups of wine are raised in celebration and the Haggadah is read aloud, often with children leading the way by asking the traditional Four Questions. The Haggadah is a liturgy describing in detail the story of the Exodus from Egypt.

Whether you grew up celebrating Passover or are just learning about it, there is something deeply powerful in this annual ritual. It’s a reminder of the hardships people endured in the fight for freedom, which should never be taken for granted or forgotten. 

Wishing you a meaningful Passover filled with connection, reflection and peace!

Sources: What is Passover (Pesach)? & Passover