Passover Holiday: The Exodus of the Jews

Whether we are aware of it or not, most of us are somewhat familiar with the Jewish holiday of Passover.  The story behind the holiday is not only well-known and well-documented (in films and television specials, for instance), but it is also quite an exciting tale.

The Old Testament Tale

Passover begins a few thousand years ago, in the biblical Old Testament times.  The Jews were slaves to the Egyptian Pharaoh, and (in case you don't already know) Moses is called upon by God to free the Jews.  Moses initially demands that the Pharoah let his people go, and when the Pharaoh does not comply, he is warned by Moses that God will send ten punishments down upon Egypt.  The key punishment here is the final one: the slaying of the first born.  An angel was to descend upon the city and slay all of the first born children.  However, God warns his people to paint their doors with lamb's blood, which will cause the angel to pass over their house.  Needless to say, the Pharaoh loses his first born son and finally complies to Moses' demands. 
The story of passover ends with the Pharaoh and his army chasing down the freed Jews.  At the Red Sea, when the Jews fear that they are trapped, God opens up the sea and allows the passage. When the Pharaoh and his army follows the sea closes and drowns them in its waters.


This story, which comes from Exodus in the Bible, is the basis for the Jewish holiday.  The name for the holiday is believed to have come from the angel's act of passing over the home's displaying lamb's blood.  FYI: There is also an interesting theory that since the Hebrew name for the holiday (Pesach) is used to describe a lamb's skipping, that too may be an origin for the name Passover.

Celebration

Passover is an eight-day holiday that begins on the 14th day of Nisan (equivalent to varying times throughout April and May) and ends on the 21st day.