Easter-and-Passover-2022
This year, Passover and Easter celebrations occur at the same time. The first night of Passover is Friday, April 15th which is also Good Friday.
Passover, a major Jewish holiday, lasts for seven days in Israel and eight days in other parts of the world. It celebrates the exodus of the Jews from Slavery in Egypt. As per the Torah, because the Jews were leaving Egypt in such a hurry that there was not time for the bread to rise, so they made unleavened bread, Matzo. For the entire week of Passover, leavened bread is not allowed.
Additionally, as per the Book of Exodus, a tenth plague is about to befall the Jews, the death of the firstborn child. God asks Moses to tell the Israelites to place lamb’s blood over their doors so the ‘Angel of Death’ passes over them.
Easter is a Christian holiday. As stated in the New Testatament, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on Sunday. The Easter period begins with lent, 40 days of prayer, penance and fasting. The week before Easter is known as Holy Week which remembers the Last Supper, Good Friday remembers the day Jesus was crucified.
Both Passover and Easter do not fall on a fixed date, they both move according to the Hebrew calendar and lunisolar calendar. Both holidays celebrate with traditional holiday foods. Passover meals include, matzo, charoset (a mix of dried fruit, nuts and honey) Matzo Ball Soup, Horseradish, Gefilte fish, Lamb, Chicken. Easter celebrations include, Lamb, Ham, Easter Eggs, Easter Bunnies, Jelly Beans and family food traditions. For example,
Italian Ricotta Cheesecake, Polish White Borscht Soup, British Hot Cross Buns and Greek Spinach Pie, (Spanakopita)
