PASSOVER Meaning and
Definition
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Passover is a Jewish festival that is observed annually in spring, typically during the month of Nisan. It commemorates the biblical event in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt and marks the beginning of their journey towards freedom. The festival lasts for seven or eight days, depending on the Jewish community, and is characterized by various rituals and traditions.
During Passover, Jewish families gather to participate in a special meal known as the Seder. The Seder includes retelling the story of the Exodus, reading from the Haggadah (a book that narrates the events of Passover), and partaking in symbolic foods such as matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs. These foods serve as reminders of the hardships endured by the Israelites during their enslavement.
Another significant aspect of Passover is the prohibition of leavened products. Observant Jews remove all leavened bread and leavening agents from their homes and consume only unleavened bread during the festival. This practice symbolizes the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, as they did not have time to wait for bread to rise.
Passover holds deep religious and cultural significance for Jews, as it symbolizes liberation, faith, and the ability to overcome adversity. It is a time for reflection, gratitude, and coming together as a community to celebrate the important narrative of freedom and deliverance.
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The great annual festival of the Jews commemorative of their deliverance out of Egypt, when the destroying angel passed over their houses and entered those of the Egyptians; the sacrifice offered at the feast; Passover bread or cake, the unleavened cakes used by the Jews at the festival of the Passover.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PASSOVER
Etymology of PASSOVER
The word "passover" has its etymology rooted in the Old English language. It comes from the combination of two words: "pass" and "over".
The first part, "pass", can be traced back to the Latin word "passare", meaning "to go or cross over". It entered Old English as "passus" and evolved into "pass" over time.
The second part, "over", also has its roots in Old English, derived from the word "ufor", meaning "above or beyond".
Together, "passover" conveys the idea of moving or crossing over and beyond something. In the context of the Jewish holiday, it refers to the biblical event of God passing over the houses of the Israelites during the tenth plague in Egypt, sparing their firstborns.
Similar spelling words for PASSOVER
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