Is Passover 7 or 8 Days?
Conservative and Orthodox Jews outside of Israel observe eight days of Passover. However, Reform Jews and all Jews living in the State of Israel whether Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or secular celebrate only seven days, as mandated by the Bible. Yet there seems to be some confusion among contemporary Reform Jews as to whether we should mark Passover for seven or eight days. For example, I read a Temple Bulletin column written by an assistant rabbi of a major Reform congregation in the Midwest. She discussed her eight-day Passover observance. Furthermore, a Reform congregation in Atlanta will hold its last day of Passover services on the eighth day. Also, Orthodox and Conservative Jews outside Israel observe Simchat Torah one day later than Reform Jews. Several Reform congregations now have even changed their calendar so as to celebrate Simchat Torah on the same day as their more traditional counterparts. There are several possible reasons for the persistence of this additional day o
