Does Passover commemorate a real event?
Passover, also called “Pascha” or “Pesach” in Hebrew, means “passing by.” Passover commemorates the escape of the Israelites (Jews) from slavery in Egypt. It particularly refers to the last of ten plagues that the Egyptians suffered when the Pharaoh (king) would not release the Israelites from slavery. This plague called for the first-born of each family to die. However, because they marked their homes with a special sign, the Jews were “passed over” by the Angel of Death. As a result, it was only the first-born child of each Egyptian family that died. This tragedy convinced the Pharaoh to release the Jews. The Jews have long commemorated the Passover with prayers and a special meal, called a Seder, which features symbolic foods. For example, Matzah (bread made with no yeast) stands for the haste with which the Israelites prepared to leave Egypt and bitter herbs…
