פֶּסַח(過越)

Passover (Pesach) begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, at the full moon after the spring equinox. It lasts 7 days in Israel and 8 days in the diaspora. In the Gregorian calendar, it occurs in March or April.

Passover is one of the most significant Jewish holidays, commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. It begins with the Seder, a ritual meal that retells the story of the Exodus through the reading of the Haggadah.

Passover is observed by Jewish communities worldwide, with the largest populations in Israel, United States, France, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, Russia, and Australia. In Israel, the first and last days of Passover are national public holidays.

In Israel, the first day (and last day in the diaspora, two days for some holidays) of Passover is a public holiday. In other countries it is not a public holiday, but many Jewish employees observe it and take time off from work.

Passover traditions include the Seder meal where the Haggadah is read aloud, eating matzah (unleavened bread) for the entire holiday to remember the hasty departure from Egypt, removing all chametz (leavened products) from the home before Passover begins, eating symbolic foods on the Seder plate including bitter herbs, lamb shank bone, and charoset.