Pesach (which is also referred to as Passover) commemorates the freedom of the Israelites from the ancient Egypt city many years ago. This is talked about in the book of Exodus, and it marks the birth of the Jewish nation. Pesach marks the freedom of the Jew's from being slaves of the Pharaoh and to become followers of God instead. Pesach is used for the word Passover, sometimes because Pesach means skipping or passing over. This is derived from the night of the Tenth Plague. During this time is when the Angel of Death saw the blood of the Pesach lamb on the door post of the Israel houses and passed by them (or skipped over them). Thus he did not kill their firstborn child. The meal you eat during Pesach is meant to commemorate this event and when it happened. The holiday before this, called the Feast of Unleavened Bread, refers to the week long period when leaven has been removed. During this time unleavened read (also called matsa or flat bread) is eaten. As with every holiday this is a very special day and is a time for celebrations just like any of the holidays that you choose to celebrate. Everyone has the different days that they choose to celebrate, and this is one that is celebrated by Jews.

Pesach is a holiday that lasts seven days in the Land of Israel. The first and last days of this holiday is major and no work is performed. During Pesach the first day is when Seder is conducted. Of course, things are a little bit different outside the Land of Israel. In fact, in Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, the holiday last, for eight days. The first two days and the last two days are the major holidays. The Seder is conducted twice, and this happens on the first two days. During the intermediate days, work can be performed. This is happening to a lot of different holidays in America. In fact, it is said that Americans work too much and are one of the only places that do not take as much time off as they should. This leads to shorter lives and less enjoyment of life. I feel like during holidays you should not work, however, this is not what usually happens. In fact, usually you end up doing more work if you do not work during these holidays. That is why Pesach is such a great holiday because during this holiday on the first and last days you do no work. I feel like that is a good way to really celebrate a holiday. If you are working during the holiday it is hard for you to really take time to celebrate it.

Pesach is a religious holiday that needs to be shown the same respect as any of the other holidays. Everyone has different reasons for why they choose to celebrate the holidays that they choose to celebrate. This is fine, and in fact, it is usually a good thing to celebrate these holidays. This is because it means something to your family and to your culture. Everyone needs to celebrate some type of religious holiday because they say that it is good for the body and mind. Keeping a piece of mind is something that is hard to do in this day and age. Besides during holidays you get to spend time with family and friends, and that is what is really important. So the next time you go to celebrate a holiday make it count.