Jewish people around the world will begin their Passover celebrations tonight.
One of the most important religious holidays on the Hebrew calendar, Passover celebrates the journey from slavery to freedom, and signifies a new beginning.
The date of Passover is determined by the Hebrew calendar. It begins on the 15th day of Nisan, and lasts for either seven or eight days.
This year, Passover will begin in the evening of Wednesday 8 April and end in the evening of Thursday 16 April.
Here's everything you need to know:
What is Passover?
Passover celebrates how God took the Jewish people out of Egypt, where they had been enslaved by the Pharoah.
In the Book of Exodus, God inflicted ten terrible plagues on the Egyptian people before the Pharoah would release the slaves.
He turned the river Nile to blood, sent locusts, diseased livestock and eventually killed the first born son of each family.
Before carrying out this tenth and final plague, God instructed Moses to tell the Jewish people to mark their doorways with the blood of a lamb, so their homes would be passed over and their children spared.
After the death of the first born sons, the Pharoah finally agreed to let the Jewish slaves go.
How is Passover celebrated?
On the first night of Passover, Jewish families gather for a traditional dinner known as a seder.
There are 15 stages to this meal, which are set out by a text called the Haggadah.
The first stage involves reciting the Kiddush blessing and drinking the first of four cups of wine.
The final stage sees families recite the Hallel prayer and drink their fourth and final cup of wine.
Throughout the evening the story of the slaves' exodus from Egypt is told, with children encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions.
While only the first and last days of Passover are major holidays, the intermediate days are a time for celebration. Families go on outings and picnics, and enjoy treats.
The final day of Passover marks the day that Moses and the Jewish people reached the Red Sea. God parted the sea to let them pass, and drowned the Egyptian soldiers who tried to follow.
What foods are eaten at Passover?
During the week of Passover, Jewish people can only eat unleavened foods, which are made without yeast or other biological raising agents.
This is because the Jewish slaves' departure from Egypt was so sudden, they didn't have time to wait for their bread to rise.
Before Passover begins, Jewish people must ensure that there are no unleavened foods in their homes. They can destroy them, or give them away to non-Jewish friends or neighbours.
Wine plays an important part in the seder, as four cups must be consumed at various intervals during the evening.
Each cup represents a different theme:
- Salvation from hard labour
- Leaving Egypt geographically
- Moses parting the Red Sea
- Becoming their own nation
The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach.
