Passover, also called Pesach, is a sacred observance remembering with hope how God “passed over” the houses of the children of Israel during a deathly plague when in captivity. It is a major Jewish holiday celebrated every year to commemorate the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt on the eve of the Exodus and is considered a festival of freedom.

 

The main ritual of Passover is the Seder, which occurs on the first two nights (in Israel just the first night) of the holiday — a festive meal that involves the re-telling of the Exodus through stories and song and the consumption of ritual foods, including matzah and maror (bitter herbs). The Seder’s rituals and other readings are outlined in the Haggadah, a Jewish text that sets forth the order of the Passover Seder.

 

• The central Passover practice is a set of intense dietary changes, mainly the absence of chametz, anything containing grain that has risen. This includes all breads, pastas, cakes and cookies.

-In recent years, many Jews have compensated for the lack of grain by cooking with quinoa, although not all recognize it as kosher for Passover.

• Prior to the holiday, homes are thoroughly cleaned, kitchens are purged, and the remaining chametz is burned or sold.

• The ecstatic cycle of psalms, called Hallel, is recited both at night and day (during the Seder and morning prayers).

 

Passover begins at sundown on March 27 and ends Sunday evening, April 4.

 

Holy Week, in the Christian church, is the week between Palm Sunday and Easter, and is observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the passion of Jesus Christ.

 

Holy Week is a string of seven days that offers the opportunity to reflect upon the shift in humanity Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross launched. It starts with Palm Sunday when Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem. The week leads us through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and ends the day before Easter Sunday, Jesus’ resurrection, on Holy Saturday.

 

This is the basis of Christianity; His sacrifice launched the New Covenant God promised and many had prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Each day of Holy Week allows us to peek into the heart of our Savior at an intently close proximity. His love for us is reflected in every significant step toward the cross, every breath up to the last, and His resurrection.

 

This year, many places of worship have returned to in-person celebrations with strong health and hygiene protocols in place. To stay connected to hope, it’s important to continue to layer our spiritual, emotional and physical self-care. Take some time this sacred week to connect to your own spiritual well-being. Below are a few links to various in-person and virtual resources:

 

Holy Week 2021 begins on March 28 and ends on April 3.