What is Passover?

Passover is a celebration of the story of Exodus. During Passover, Jews remember how their ancestors left slavery behind them when they were led out of Egypt by Moses. Passover is celebrated with a series of rituals. Each ritual symbolises a different part of the story.

Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew) is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish year.

It is a Spring festival that begins on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar.

The celebrations last for seven or eight days, depending on where you live.

In 2025 Passover begins on the evening of Saturday 12 April.

Click on the picture to learn about the ten plagues

On the evening before Passover starts, Jews have a special service called a Seder (Order). This takes place over a meal with family and friends at home.

During the meal, the story of Exodus is told from a book called the Haggadah (Narration). Everybody takes part in reading from the Haggadah. Some parts are read in Hebrew and some parts are read in English.

Everyone at the Seder has a cushion to lean on. This reminds them that they are now free people and no longer enslaved. They also sing lots of songs.

The Seder plate

Click on the Seder plate to learn the significance of the six items.

Matzah

On the table there are three Matzah (bread that is flat because it has not risen). At the start of the Seder, the middle Matzah is broken and the largest piece is hidden. During the Seder the children hunt for it. The one who finds it receives a small prize.

Wine

Four small glasses of wine remind Jews of the four times God promised freedom to the Israelites. An extra cup of wine is placed on the table and the door is left open for the prophet Elijah. Jews believe that one day, Elijah will reappear and he will announce the coming of the Messiah.

Have a look at the thinking points below. You can discuss them with somebody else if you want to. There are no right or wrong answers so remember to be respectful if somebody else has a different thought or opinion.

1. Why do you think it was so hard for the Israelites to leave Egypt? What kind of challenges do you think they faced during their journey to freedom?
2. Why do you think Jewish people use symbolic foods in the Seder? How can food help us remember important events and lessons? Use the Seder plate to help you.
3. Do all families have ways of remembering together? Would you like to share a time when your family had fun remembering?

Looking for more resources about Passover? In this series of short videos, 11-year-old Charlie explains his religion of Judaism, it's Bat Mitzvah year for 13-year-old Me-Me and 10-year-old Solly celebrates Passover.

BBC Teach has thousands of free, curriculum-linked resources to help deliver lessons - all arranged by subject and age group.