B"H
Monday, Adar 24, 5785 / March 24, 2025
The holiday of Pesach (Passover) is in less than three weeks. Pesach begins Saturday night, April 12.
The highlight of the Pesach holiday are the Seders, when the entire family gets together to celebrate our holiday of freedom.
Q.Are there any differences between the way Pesach is celebrated in Israel and in the Diaspora?
A. Yes. 1) Pesach in Israel is celebrated for seven days, while in the Diaspora the holiday is celebrated for eight days.
2) In Israel only one Seder is performed (Saturday night). In the Diaspora, two Seders are celebrated (Saturday night & Sunday night).
3) In Israel the first day and the seventh day of Pesach are days of rest in which work is not permitted. In the Diaspora the first two days and the last two days are days of rest in which work is prohibited.
Q. Why is there a difference between Israel and the Diaspora?
A. This goes back thousands of years to the days of the Temple. According to the Torah Pesach is a seven-day holiday. It begins on the 15th day of Nissan and ends on the 21st day of Nissan. From the time of the giving of the Torah, when G-d gave us the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of each new month was determined by two witnesses who came to the High Court in Jerusalem and testified that they saw the re-appearance of the moon, which at the end of each month is not visible. If the High Court was satisfied with the accuracy of their testimony, they would declare that day the first day of the new month and proclaim that day Rosh Chodesh. Messengers were sent out throughout the Land of Israel to notify everyone when the first day of the month was. If that month was Nissan, Jews all over Israel would know exactly when the fifteenth day is and when Pesach would begin.
However, Jews living outside of Israel, where the messengers couldn’t get there on time, didn’t know the exact day when Rosh Chodesh was and thus were in doubt which is the 15thday of the month and when Pesach begins. Thus, they celebrated two Sedarim and kept an extra day holiday to be sure they were not violating the holiday laws. We, today, do the same as they did. Those living in Israel, do one Seder and keep seven days holiday, while Jews living in the Diaspora celebrate two Sedarim and keep eight days holiday, exactly as they did in the days of the Temple.
Q. Why is the Pesach holiday meal called SEDER?
A. Sedermeans ORDER. Contrary to other holiday meals, in which we make kiddush and then enjoy the holiday meal, the meal on the night of Pesach has a very specific order to it. The kiddush; the washing of the hands; dipping the vegetables in the salt water, breaking the middle matzah and hiding the bigger piece for the Afikoman; reciting the Haggadah, etc. etc. Thus, it is called Seder.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW