Most popular and important of all Jewish festivals, Passover has a significant as well as historical bearing in the life of the people of Israel. The festival celebrates the liberation of the Jews from slavery. Therefore, it is celebrated with utmost merriment and cheerfulness. Passover is a seven or eight-day festival and on the first night, sometimes even the second, a lavish meal is prepared in every Jewish household, known as the Seder meal (meaning "order", "arrangement" in Hebrew).
Seder meal is a family-based ritual feast. As a part of the custom, the family usually invites guests for this meal (especially the needy and poor). During the meal, the entire family gathers along with friends to enjoy the sumptuous Passover feast. It is also an occasion to praise and thank the God and commemorate liberation. Passover meal continues until late at night, with the participants reading the Haggadah, studying the meaning of various passages, and singing special Pesach songs. At several points during the Seder, participants lean to the left - when drinking the four cups of wine, eating the Afikoman and eating the korech sandwich.
The traditional feast of Jewish Pesach consists of certain traditional dishes, mainly matzoh and foods containing matzoh. The feast, organized annually, allows the consumption of unleavened food only. This commemorates the fact that the Jews leaving Egypt were in a hurry and did not have time to let their bread rise. It is also a symbolic way of removing the “puffiness” (arrogance, pride) from our souls. Therefore, eating matza on Passover is a widespread custom in the Jewish community. Passover feast not only celebrates the freedom of Jews, but also makes the present generation aware of their past misery.
Traditional Jewish Pesach Feast
Pesach feast is had on the Seder Plate, comprising of the following six items:
