Passover Begins at Sundown Today

FRAMINGHAM – Passover begins at sundown today, April 15, for those who observe the Jewish religion.

The holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an annual weeklong festival commemorating the emancipation of Jewish peoples from slavery, The Hebrew name, Pesach, means “to passover” because the plague in Egypt that killed all first-borns passed over the Israelites’ homes, sparing the lives of their children.

The first seder will be held tonight.

The seder is the traditional Passover meal that includes reading, drinking wine, telling stories, eating special foods, and singing.

During the course of the seder, individuals

• drink four cups of wine
• eat veggies dipped in saltwater
• eat flat, dry cracker-like bread called matzah
• eat bitter herbs, often horseradish (without additives) and romaine lettuce, dipped into charoset (a paste of nuts, apples, pears and wine)

The final day of Passover in 2022 is April 23.