The four names of Passover
Article by Noa Badihi-Kalfus.
Learn more about the story of Exodus and the holiday of Passover.
Did you know that Passover has in fact three more names? Each has a different story and reason!
Pesach (passover) and Matzot
The Holiday of Passover: During the plague of the slaying of the firstborn in Egypt, God passed over the houses of the people of Israel, meaning that the plague only affected the homes of Egyptians. The word פָּסַח (Pasach) in Hebrew means to skip or to pass over. This is why the holiday is called Passover, because God passed over the homes of the Hebrews. In fact, it is because of this plague that the people of Israel go out of slavery to freedom.
The Holiday of Matzot: During Passover, we are commanded to eat unleavened bread (matzot) and not bread. When the Israelites left Egypt, they were on the run and therefore did not have time to wait for the dough to rise. The people of Israel ate matzot (unleavened bread) which symbolizes the speed in which they left Egypt.
Spring and Freedom
The Holiday of Spring: The month of Nisan is a month of renewal for nature and the flowering of trees, meaning it is spring. Because Passover is in Nisan, it is also called the Holiday of Spring.
The Holiday of Freedom: Passover is called this because the people of Israel left slavery and went into freedom. The people of Israel left a state of slave labor to a state of freedom.
Want to learn more?
Sign up today to learn from the best Hebrew teachers in Israel and learn to read the Haggadah in its original language!
Learn Hebrew Online from the world’s leading, certified Hebrew instructors
Official Education Provider to:
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israel Ministry of education