Passover 2025 begins at sunset on Saturday, April 12, and concludes at nightfall on Sunday, April 20, for those in the Diaspora. In Israel, the holiday lasts for seven days, ending at nightfall on Saturday, April 19. The first Seder will be held on the evening of Saturday, April 12, with a second Seder following on Sunday, April 13, for Jewish communities outside of Israel. This eight-day festival (known as Pesach in Hebrew) commemorates the biblical story of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egyptian slavery and their journey toward freedom. Throughout the holiday, observers refrain from eating leavened grain products (chametz) and instead consume unleavened bread called matzah. This guide provides an authoritative look at the 2025 liturgical calendar, detailed Seder requirements, the symbolic significance of the Seder plate, and practical tips for preparing your home for one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish faith.
Passover 2025 Official Holiday Calendar
The timing of Passover is determined by the Hebrew calendar, falling on the 15th day of the month of Nisan. Because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar, the dates on the Gregorian calendar shift annually.
Erev Pesach (Eve of Passover): Saturday, April 12, 2025 (First Seder held after nightfall).
First Day of Passover: Sunday, April 13, 2025 (Second Seder held after nightfall in the Diaspora).
Intermediate Days (Chol HaMoed): Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18, 2025.
Final Days (Yom Tov): Saturday, April 19 – Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Conclusion: The holiday officially ends at nightfall on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
During the first two and last two days of Passover (known as Yom Tov), traditional Jewish law prohibits work, similar to the restrictions of the Sabbath. In 2025, the start of the holiday falls immediately following the Sabbath, which requires unique logistical planning for the “Search for Leaven” and the preparation of Seder meals. The intermediate days, or Chol HaMoed, allow for most types of work, though the festive atmosphere is maintained through special prayers and the continued dietary restriction against leavened products.
The Significance of the Seder Plate
The Seder is the ritual feast that marks the beginning of Passover, and the Seder plate acts as a visual and edible “map” of the Exodus story. Each item on the plate is chosen to provoke questions from children and remind participants of the transition from slavery to liberation.
Symbolic Foods and Meanings
The Maror (bitter herbs, often horseradish) represents the bitterness of slavery in Egypt, while the Charoset (a sweet paste of fruits and nuts) symbolizes the mortar used by Israelite slaves to build bricks for Pharaoh. A Z’roa (roasted bone) commemorates the Paschal lamb sacrifice, and the Karpas (a green vegetable like parsley) is dipped in salt water to represent the tears shed during oppression. Additionally, a Beitzah (roasted egg) serves as a symbol of mourning for the destruction of the Temple and a sign of the circle of life and new beginnings.
The Role of Matzah
Three pieces of Matzah are placed on the table, often covered by a decorative cloth. The middle piece is broken during the Seder; half is returned to the stack, and the other half—the Afikomen—is hidden for children to find later in the evening. Matzah is called the “bread of affliction” because the Israelites had to flee Egypt so quickly that their bread did not have time to rise. In 2025, many families are opting for “Shmura Matzah,” which is handmade and strictly guarded from moisture during the entire production process to ensure the highest level of kosher certification.
Preparing the Home: Banishment of Chametz
The weeks leading up to Passover 2025 involve a rigorous cleaning process known as “purging the chametz.” Chametz refers to any food product made from wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt that has come into contact with water and been allowed to ferment or “rise.”
Bedikat Chametz (The Search): This ritual search takes place by candlelight on the night of Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Biur Chametz (The Burning): Any remaining leavened products must be burned or nullified by the morning of Friday, April 11, 2025.
Selling Chametz: For items too valuable to destroy, many Jews “sell” their chametz to a non-Jew through a rabbi for the duration of the holiday.
Kosher for Passover Kitchen: This involves “kashering” appliances like ovens and stovetops using high heat or boiling water to remove any traces of leaven.
In 2025, the transition from the “Search for Chametz” to the first Seder is slightly different due to the holiday starting on a Saturday night. Because one cannot burn chametz on the Sabbath, the formal “burning” takes place on Friday morning. Families then eat a “transitional” meal on Saturday morning that satisfies the requirements of the Sabbath without introducing leaven that would be difficult to clean before the Seder begins just a few hours later.
Practical Information and Planning
Observing Passover 2025 involves significant preparation, from food sourcing to travel arrangements for family Seders.
Seder Start Times: Seders must begin after nightfall. In 2025, check local sunset times; for example, in Jerusalem, the holiday enters at 7:44 PM on April 12.
Kosher for Passover Costs: Expect to pay a premium for certified products. A box of machine-made matzah typically costs $5-$10, while artisan Shmura matzah can range from $30-$60 per pound.
Transport and Travel: If traveling to a Seder, plan to arrive well before sunset on April 12, as public transport in Israel and religious neighborhoods worldwide will cease operations for the holiday.
What to Expect: A traditional Seder involves 15 specific steps, including drinking four cups of wine, washing hands, and reciting the Haggadah. It can last anywhere from 2 to 5 hours.
Tips for Guests: If invited to a Seder, do not bring outside food unless it is specifically labeled “Kosher for Passover.” Flowers or a bottle of kosher-for-Passover wine make excellent gifts.
FAQs
When is the first Seder for Passover 2025?
The first Seder takes place on the evening of Saturday, April 12, 2025, after nightfall.
Why does Passover 2025 last eight days?
In the Diaspora (outside Israel), the holiday lasts eight days to ensure the correct day is observed; within Israel, the biblical requirement is seven days.
What are the “Four Questions”?
The Ma Nishtana is a set of four questions traditionally asked by the youngest person at the Seder to explain why the night is different from all other nights.
Can I eat rice during Passover 2025?
For Ashkenazi Jews, rice and legumes (kitniyot) were traditionally avoided, though many modern movements have relaxed this. Sephardic Jews generally eat rice during the holiday.
What is the Afikomen?
The Afikomen is a piece of matzah broken early in the Seder and hidden. Children often find it and “ransom” it back to the leader so the meal can conclude.
When can I start eating bread again in 2025?
You can resume eating leavened products after nightfall on Sunday, April 20, 2025 (outside Israel).
What is a Haggadah?
The Haggadah is the textual guide used during the Seder that contains the story of the Exodus, prayers, and songs.
Do I have to drink four cups of wine?
The tradition requires four cups of wine (or grape juice) to represent the four expressions of redemption mentioned in the Book of Exodus.
What is “Kosher for Passover”?
It is a certification indicating that a product contains no chametz and has been prepared under strict rabbinical supervision specifically for the holiday.
Who is the “Cup of Elijah” for?
An extra cup of wine is poured for the Prophet Elijah, symbolizing the hope for future redemption and the arrival of the Messiah.
Is work permitted during Passover 2025?
Work is prohibited on the first two and last two days (Yom Tov) but is permitted with some restrictions during the middle four days (Chol HaMoed).
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