The Social History of the American Family: An Encyclopedia

Passover is a Jewish spring festival that primarily commemorates the ancient liberation of the Hebrew slaves and their exodus from Egypt and secondarily commemorates the liberation of Jews on various instances throughout history. The festival begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan (March or April) and lasts for seven days (eight days in the Diaspora). Passover consists of the traditions of (1) a pre-Passover home cleaning and (2) the Seder (meaning order), an evening ceremony on the first day of Passover that is usually observed with family and friends. Passover season is a time for Jewish families, regardless of the level of religious observance, to gather together to teach their children, connect with their Jewish heritage, and reflect on the liberation of their earliest ancestors from slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. According to Jewish sacred texts, specifically the book of Exodus, the God of