Pesach Seder 5783/2023
Pesach is the story of the enslavement and liberation of the Jewish people. It commemorates the moment at which G-d, through Moses, freed the Israelites from bondage under the Pharaoh in Egypt.
The festival lasts for 8 days, during which no leavened food (i.e. wheat/grain) may be consumed. This abstinence symbolises the hurried and dramatic departure of the Israelites; they had no time to prepare food properly; their bread did not rise, or leaven in time, resulting in something that looked and tasted like Matzo.
On the first two nights, the Seder is held. The story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt is told, read from the Haggadah. The underlying structure of the Seder is built around the drinking of four cups of wine. The first half of the Seder (Steps 1–10) before the main meal is dedicated to telling ourselves about the past.