This year, Passover begins on the fifth of April and concludes on the thirteenth of April. It might seem a little early to be thinking of Passover already, but you can never be too prepared for such an important time of year.
If you are hosting the Seder, you will need to start planning well in advance to ensure everything goes smoothly. There are lots of things that you’ll need to consider, so giving yourself plenty of time is essential. We’ve put together a guide with some tips to help you get ready for Passover. Check it out below.
What is Passover?
Passover is a holiday that celebrates the liberation of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt. Passover can be a particularly extravagant and decadent celebration. The first night of the holiday is marked by a feast called the Seder. However, despite the joyous occasion and celebration, there are strict rules regarding Passover that you need to make yourself aware of. Let’s find out more.
What Items Do You Need?
Passover requires the use of special equipment designed to represent the significance of the day. A Passover Seder plate is a large plate that contains special foods eaten during Passover, including the bitter herbs maror and chazeret, fruit and nut paste charoset, karpas, zeroah, beitzah, matzot, and salt water.
Seder plates are usually highly decorative and may feature writing or symbols indicating where certain foods should be placed. Ensure you have a seder plate ready to go before Passover.
You will also need a selection of Haggadot. Haggadot are small booklets that contain information and instructions on how to properly observe Passover. It is customary that each person at the Seder has a Haggadah of their own, so make sure you have these ordered and delivered on time.
You will need candles, too. These are lit eighteen minutes before sunset to mark the official beginning of the Passover festival. Finally, you will need a vessel containing water for guests to wash their hands, which is customary during the Seder feast.
Unleavened Bread
Passover is sometimes known as the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This is due to the fact that leavened, meaning made using rising agents like yeast, bread is forbidden for the duration of the holiday. Unleavened bread is an essential part of any Seder. You must guarantee that you have it present on the table.
In fact, tradition dictates that leavened products are removed from the house completely during Passover. You can use this as an opportunity to do a general clean in time for your guests arriving for the Seder.
Conclusion
Passover should be a time for joy and celebration. However, it can be a stressful period, particularly if you have taken on the responsibility of hosting the Seder. The most effective approach is to begin planning and preparing well ahead of time. Ensure you have all the items you need, including all the required foods and equipment. Remember to remove leavened products from your home before Passover begins, and keep your house clean and tidy for your guests arriving.
