Jews Worldwide Begin Passover Observances

Jews around the world began observing Passover at sunset on Wednesday, marking the start of the eight-day holiday that commemorates the biblical Exodus of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Known as Pesach in Hebrew, the festival is the most widely observed Jewish holiday in the United States and emphasizes family gatherings and home-based rituals rather than synagogue services.

The central event of Passover is the Seder, a ritual meal held on the first two nights that retells the story of liberation through readings from the Haggadah, a text outlining prayers, songs and discussions. Families and friends gather at dinner tables set with symbolic foods, including matzah, the unleavened bread that recalls the haste of the Israelites' departure when there was no time for dough to rise. Other items on the Seder plate include bitter herbs to represent the bitterness of enslavement, a shank bone for the ancient sacrificial offering, greens for spring's renewal and saltwater to evoke tears of oppression. Participants drink four cups of wine and engage in interactive elements, such as children searching for a hidden piece of matzah called the afikomen or the youngest child...