Passover 2024: Why the Celebration Dates Differ Every Year

Passover 2024 will be observed from April 22 to April 29 or 30, depending on the location. This year’s celebration is later than usual due to the lunisolar calendar, which aligns with the phases of the Moon and the Sun’s position. Passover Seder, a central part of the celebration, commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. During the Seder, families gather for a festive meal and recite the Haggadah, a religious text that retells the story of the Exodus. Six symbolic foods are prepared to represent the Israelites’ liberation, including matzah, shank bone, egg, bitter herbs, charoset, and vegetables. Passover is a significant holiday in the Jewish calendar and is universally observed by Jews of all backgrounds.

The Jewish Holidays: A Journey of Exile and Redemption

The Jewish holiday cycle deeply explores the experiences of exile and freedom. Fall festival Sukkot recalls Israelites’ desert wandering in booths. Purim commemorates the precariousness of minority life in ancient Persia. Passover marks the Exodus from Egypt, the first step towards redemption and freedom. Literary works like Shulamit Hareven’s “The Miracle Hater” and Orly Castel-Bloom’s “An Egyptian Novel” depict the complexities of exile and its aftermath. Novelist André Aciman’s memoir “Out of Egypt” poignantly captures the personal nature of exile and the irony of Passover preparations amid forced departure. Journalist Tim Judah’s visit to Iraq highlights the remnants of a once-thriving Jewish community and the profound impact of uprooting.

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