Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Pesach: A major Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is traditionally observed for eight days (seven in Israel and among some liberal communities) beginning on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan.

Usage

• Pesach is used as the name of the holiday. It is often referred to in English as Passover.
  • Our family gathers for a Seder meal every Pesach.
  • The preparations for Pesach involve removing all leavened products from the home.

Advanced Usage

• "Observe Pesach": To celebrate or keep the traditions of the Passover holiday.
  • They strictly observe Pesach according to Orthodox tradition.
• "Pesach Seder": Refers specifically to the ritual feast that marks the beginning of the holiday.
  • The Pesach Seder involves reading the Haggadah and eating symbolic foods.

Variants and Related Words

• Passover: The most common English name for Pesach.
• Pesach Sheni (Hebrew: "Second Passover"): A minor Jewish observance one month after Pesach for those who could not celebrate at the proper time.
• Chag HaMatzot (Hebrew: "Festival of Unleavened Bread"): Another biblical name for the holiday, emphasizing the eating of unleavened bread (matzah).

Synonyms

• Passover: The direct English equivalent.
• The Festival of Freedom: A descriptive name highlighting the holiday's theme of liberation.

Related Phrases

• "Pesach kasher": Refers to food that is certified as permissible for consumption during Passover according to Jewish law.
  • We need to buy Pesach kasher wine for the Seder.
• "Pesach cleaning": The intensive pre-holiday cleaning to remove all chametz (leavened products).
  • Pesach cleaning is a big project for the whole family.

Related Idioms

• "To be sold for a Pesach egg": A Yiddish idiom meaning something is sold for a very low price, referring to a hard-boiled egg used on the Seder plate.
  • He sold his old car for a Pesach egg just to get rid of it.

Noun

1. (Judaism) a Jewish festival (traditionally 8 days from Nissan 15) celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt