Pesach celebrates the birth of the Jewish Nation! Passover is celebrated by Jews every year, commemorating the anniversary of the miraculous Exodus from Egyptian slavery, as told in the Bible. On the first two nights of Passover traditional Seders are held, Chabad of Naperville’s community seder is at 7 p.m. Friday, April 15.
On Passover, Jews may not own or consume chametz. Prior to the holiday, homes are thoroughly cleaned for Passover. Kitchens are purged, and the remaining chametz is burned or sold. Following the intermediate days, when work restrictions are somewhat relaxed, but chametz remains forbidden, Jews celebrate the final two days of Passover, by looking forward to the future redemption through Moshiach (Messiah).
Passover Observances:
• Attend a Seder (Chabad Community Seder April 15 at 7 p.m.) which tells the story of Exodus during a ritual-rich 15-step feast
• During the Seder:
• Drink four cups of wine
• Dip veggies into saltwater
• Children ask the four questions (Mah Nishtanah)
• Eat bitter herbs
• Sing and celebrate late into the night
• Eat Matzah until April 23 (an unleavened cracker-like food, which reminds us that when our ancestors left Egypt they had no time to allow their bread to rise)
• Purge the house of any chametz (anything containing grain that has risen such as all breads, pastas, cakes and cookies).
For more information contact admin@chabadnaperville.com or 630-344-9770 or www.jewishnaperville.com.
— Chabad of Naperville