Passover Supper is a traditional Jewish meal eaten during the Passover holiday. The word "Passover" is spelled /ˈpæs.oʊ.vər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "p" is pronounced as in "pet", the "a" as in "cat", the "s" as in "snake", the "o" as in "so", the "v" as in "vest", and the "er" as in "her". The word "Supper" is spelled /ˈsʌp.ər/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "s" is pronounced as in "snake", the "u" as in "rug", the "p" as in "pet", the "er" as in "her".
Passover Supper, also referred to as the Passover Seder or Pesach Seder, is a significant religious meal and ritual observed by Jewish people during the celebration of Passover. Passover is a major festival in Judaism, commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as described in the biblical book of Exodus.
The Passover Supper is held on the first two nights of the eight-day festival and is marked by a special ceremonial meal known as the Seder. The word "seder" means "order" in Hebrew, highlighting the structured nature and order of the meal. The Seder includes the retelling of the Exodus story, recitation of prayers, and the consumption of specific foods and symbolic elements.
The Passover Supper typically includes a variety of symbolic foods and dishes, such as matzo (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), charoset (a mixture of fruit and nuts), and karpas (a vegetable dipped in saltwater). These foods serve as reminders of the hardships endured by the Israelites during their enslavement and their subsequent redemption.
The Passover Supper involves the reading of the Haggadah, a special text that guides participants through the rituals and recounts the Exodus story. It also involves interactive elements and discussions, encouraging the participation of all present, especially children.
Passover Supper is a central aspect of the Passover celebration and serves as a time for Jewish families and communities to come together, reflect on their history, express gratitude, and celebrate freedom and redemption.
The word "Passover Supper" has its etymology as follows:
1. Passover: The word "Passover" comes from the Hebrew word "Pesach", meaning "to pass over". It refers to the biblical story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. According to the Book of Exodus, God inflicted ten plagues on the Egyptians, and during the final plague, the Israelites were instructed to mark their doorposts with the blood of a sacrificed lamb so that the Lord would "pass over" their houses and spare their firstborn sons. Thus, "Passover" commemorates this event and marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Pesach.
2. Supper: The term "supper" has its roots in Old English, where it was derived from the Old French word "souper", meaning "to eat the evening meal".