Passover

Pesach, also known as Passover in English, the festival is held in March or April and celebrates the Jews’ escape from slavery in Egypt.

It lasts for eight days in the diaspora and begins with the Seder, which consists of a service and a meal.

The items on the Seder plate each symbolise a part of the Exodus story, which is retold during the meal using a book called the Haggadah.

During Pesach it is not permitted to eat anything which has or may have leaven. Jews eat matzah, which is unleavened bread. This is symbolic of the fact that when Pharoah ordered the Jews to leave they did so in such a rush that there was not time for their bread to rise.

Only foods which have been specially produced for Passover are permitted, except for fresh fruit and raw vegetables.