The Jewish people across the globe celebrate the festival of Passover with great zeal, gusto and vigor. And why not! The festival commemorates the emancipation of the Israeli slaves from the dictatorship of the cruel Egyptians about 3,000 years back. The date of the weeklong festival falls on the 15th of the first month of Nisan in the Hebrew calendar. This corresponds in March or April as per the Gregorian calendar. The major highlights of the festival include family get-togethers, feasting on luxurious delicacies and enjoying the festival to the fullest. Preparations for Passover begin days before it actually arrives.
People get engaged in cleaning their houses removing every bit of leavened grain as consuming leavened grains during Passover holiday is not permitted. The night before Passover is known as Seder which is observed with pride and respect. It is marked by special Seder meals which are consumed by reciting blessings from the Holy Haggadah. Nonetheless, Passover is observed by all the Jews, but every country has its own way of celebrating it. While some traditions are similar at all places, there are quite a few rituals and customs that distinguish one nation from the other. Read on to find how Passover is celebrated in various countries across the world.
Passover Celebrations Around The World
Passover in Argentina
While the festival occurs in spring in the Northern Hemisphere, Argentina celebrates this occasion in the fall. With the seventh largest Jewish population in the world by country, Argentina witnesses some traditional rituals and customs of Passover. The Jews settled in Argentina fled from Russia, Syria, Turkey and North Africa.
Passover in Israel
Though the festival is observed for eight days outside Israel, Passover here lasts for seven days, each of which is spent in a spirit of celebration. Israel has been historically related with this festival as Jews fled from Egypt and entered Israel. Celebrations are big and vibrant, easily visible.
Passover in Canada
Passover in Canada too is celebrated across eight days though the week is not a declared holiday. Nonetheless, the spirit of the festival is not let down and is noticed with immense vigor and galore.
Passover in Australia
Passover in Australia takes the form of both a religious event and a merry-making occasion at the same time. While the residents in the city mark it with various modern activities and events, people in the rural areas observe it with different traditional festivities.
Passover in Ethiopia
Passover holiday is observed by the Ethiopian Jews as they consider their story similar to that of their Israeli ancestors. During Operation Moses in 1984-85, over 8,000 Jews fled to safe-haven in Israel from Sudan. Most of the Jews trek from Ethiopia to Israel through Sudan. Hence, Passover marks the freedom of Ethiopian Jews as well.
Passover in India
The Indian Jews celebrate the festival with accurate rituals and customs. One can feel the wonderful amalgamation of Indian and Jewish traditions in Passover celebrations here.
Passover in Nepal
The Seder celebrated in Katmandu, Nepal, is considered to be the largest in the world. It has now become a favorite spot for Jews during Passover. Continue browsing through the following lines to know more about Nepali Pesach celebrations and traditions.
Passover in Poland
Though small in number, the Jews residing in Poland celebrate Passover with complete faith and belief. The festival is celebrated across eight days here.
Passover in Italy
Italy, too, offers a rich tapestry of Jewish cultural expressions apart from its unparalleled natural beauty and remarkable artistic achievements. Check out the following lines to find out all about Italian Pesach celebrations and traditions.
Passover in Spain
The Spanish also celebrate Passover with the same interest and enthusiasm as marked by the rest of the Jews worldwide. Jews coming from either Spain or the Arab world are known as Sephardim.
