Passover

Passover History

Passover, known as Pesach in Hebrew, marks the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage as recounted in the Book of Exodus. In essence, this commemoration stands as a symbol of freedom, serving as a call to reflect upon the significance of liberation, both historical and contemporary. The main aspects of the observance involve the seder meal, the elimination of chametz (leavened foods), and the saying of specific prayers, each element steeped in rich symbolism and traditional meaning.

The origins of Passover trace back to biblical times, when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. According to the Exodus story, God inflicted ten plagues upon the Egyptians, the last of which killed their firstborn. However, homes of the Israelites were "passed over", hence the name Passover. In Israel today, this observance connects its people to their history, fostering a deeper understanding of their collective identity, their ancestors' struggles, and the cost of freedom.

In Israel, the observance of Passover begins with an intensive cleaning of homes to rid them of any chametz. This is followed by the traditional Seder meal on the first night, which involves the recitation of the Haggadah, a narration of the Exodus story. Consuming matzah (unleavened bread), symbolising the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt, is also a key practice. In Israel, Passover is observed for seven days, beginning on the 15th day of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which typically falls in March or April in the Gregorian calendar.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 Passover (Start) in Israel

• The upcoming observance of Passover in 2026 is marked by several unique economic and cultural factors that distinguish it from previous years for residents of Israel.
  
  The Ministry of Economy has initiated an urgent push for price supervision of matzah to mitigate the impact of rising food costs on the traditional holiday meal.
• Travelers are seeing a notable shift in the tourism market, with flight prices to popular destinations like Budapest and Dubai dropping by as much as 26% due to a stronger shekel and increased airline capacity.
• Cultural interest remains high in commemorative editions of the traditional text, such as the Hostages and Missing Families Forum Haggadah, which was famously produced by the printing press of Kibbutz Be'eri.
• The 2026 holiday follows the implementation of significant national hikes in the cost of electricity, water, and cooking gas, making household budgeting for the Seder a primary concern for many families.
• New creative works continue to modernize the holiday experience, including the release of The Zionist Haggadah I by Cynthia Lazar and the visually unique The Rebirth of Israel Passover Haggadah by David Harel.
• High demand for organized holiday retreats has led to earlier-than-usual sell-outs for luxury Passover programs located at the Dead Sea and along the Eilat coastline.
• Unlike those in the Diaspora, Israelis will observe only one Seder night and celebrate the festival for a total of seven days, concluding the holiday on a Wednesday night.
• Many households are expected to navigate the culinary differences of kitniyot as Sephardic and Ashkenazi traditions increasingly blend in modern Israeli kitchens.
• The Chol HaMoed intermediate days are projected to see a surge in domestic nature tourism as families utilize the spring weather to visit national parks and heritage sites.

In the News and Trending in Israel for Passover

Top things to do in Israel for Start of Passover

• Attend a Seder dinner or learn how to make your own Seder.
• Make Matzah. You can watch how to make matzah on youtube.
• The Western Wall: Also known as The Wailing Wall, this is one of the most significant sites in the world for Jewish people. During Passover, the wall becomes a place where families come to pray and remember their ancestors.
• Hike the National Parks: Israel's diverse climate and geography make it a great destination for nature-lovers. Ein Gedi, Masada, and the Ramon Crater are particularly popular.