Pesach
Passover (Hebrew: פֶּסַח Pesach) commemorates the story of the Exodus, in which the ancient Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt. Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan in the Jewish calendar, which is in spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and is celebrated for seven or eight days. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.
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· 25 p’sukim
About Pesach
Beyond marking the Exodus, Pesach is the Jewish festival of freedom and redemption. The name "Pesach" ("to pass over") points to the tenth plague, when God struck down the Egyptian firstborn but "passed over" Israelite homes marked with lamb's blood (Exodus 12). Theologically, the liberation from Egypt frames the covenantal bond between God and Israel that reaches its climax at Sinai. As one of the three pilgrimage festivals (shalosh regalim), Pesach centers on retelling the story of going "from slavery to freedom" so each generation experiences it as their own. The seventh day commemorates the splitting of the Sea of Reeds and the final deliverance from Pharaoh's army.
When it’s observed
Pesach begins on 15 Nisan in spring and runs through 21 Nisan in Israel (7 days) or 22 Nisan in the Diaspora (8 days); the extra Diaspora day reflects the historical "second day of festivals" (yom tov sheni shel galuyot). Most Reform Jews observe 7 days, matching Israeli practice. The first and last day (or, in the Diaspora, the first two and last two days) are full festival days when work is prohibited; the days in between are Chol HaMoed, the intermediate days. The Seder is held on the first night, with a second Seder added on the second night in the Diaspora, and the Counting of the Omer begins on the second night. For 2026, Pesach in the Diaspora runs from sundown April 1 through nightfall April 9. (Exact day counts and which days are full festival days depend on Israel vs. Diaspora practice and movement.)
The readings & trope
The festival has its own Torah and Haftarah cycle. On the first day the Torah reading is Exodus 12:21-51 with maftir Numbers 28:16-25, and the Haftarah is from Joshua 3 and 5-6 (Ashkenazim begin at Joshua 3:5; Sephardim begin at Joshua 5:2). The seventh day reads the Song of the Sea, Exodus 13:17-15:26, recounting the splitting of the sea, with a Haftarah from II Samuel 22. On Shabbat Chol HaMoed the Haftarah is Ezekiel's vision of the "dry bones" (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The Megillah of Pesach is the Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), read in full (1:1-8:14); Ashkenazim read it on Shabbat Chol HaMoed. In Ashkenazi practice the Song of Songs is chanted with the shared "Three Festivals" Megillah trope -- the same melody used for Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) on Sukkot and Ruth on Shavuot -- rather than a unique tune like the Eicha trope or the Esther trope. The Torah and Haftarah portions use standard Torah and Haftarah cantillation. (Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Italian communities differ on when the Song of Songs is read and on its melody, and some congregations recite it plainly rather than with cantillation.) TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice each of these cantillation systems, including the festival Megillah trope for the Song of Songs and the Torah/Haftarah readings, at your own pace.
Customs
The centerpiece is the Seder, a 15-step ritual meal guided by the Haggadah, which retells the Exodus. Familiar customs include the Four Cups of wine symbolizing freedom, the Four Questions (Mah Nishtanah) traditionally asked by children, the afikoman (a hidden piece of matzah), and the Seder plate with symbolic foods such as maror (bitter herbs) and charoset. Throughout the festival Jews eat matzah (unleavened bread) and avoid chametz (leaven), which is searched out and burned before the holiday begins (bedikat and biur chametz). The Counting of the Omer starts on the second night. Hallel is recited -- in full on the first day(s) and as an abbreviated "half Hallel" on the later days, since the drowning of the Egyptians tempers the joy -- and many recite Yizkor on the final day. Ashkenazim traditionally also avoid kitniyot (legumes and rice), a custom not shared by all communities, and the Shabbat before Pesach is called Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Sabbath.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pesach (Passover)?
Pesach, or Passover, is the Jewish festival that commemorates the Exodus -- the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The name means 'to pass over,' recalling how God passed over the Israelite homes during the tenth plague (Exodus 12). One of the three pilgrimage festivals, it is a celebration of freedom and redemption centered on the Seder meal and the retelling of the Exodus story.
When is Pesach?
Pesach begins on the 15th of Nisan in the spring and lasts seven days in Israel (and for most Reform Jews) or eight days in the Diaspora. The Seder is held on the first night, with a second Seder in the Diaspora on the second night. In 2026 it runs from sundown on April 1 through nightfall on April 9 in the Diaspora; exact dates and day counts vary by Israel or Diaspora practice and by movement.
What is read on Pesach?
The first day reads Exodus 12:21-51 with a Haftarah from Joshua; the seventh day reads the Song of the Sea (Exodus 13:17-15:26), recounting the splitting of the sea. On Shabbat Chol HaMoed the Haftarah is Ezekiel's 'dry bones' vision. The Megillah read on Pesach is the Song of Songs (Shir HaShirim), chanted in full -- by Ashkenazim on Shabbat Chol HaMoed.
What trope is the Song of Songs chanted in?
In Ashkenazi practice the Song of Songs is chanted with the shared 'Three Festivals' Megillah trope -- the same melody used for Kohelet on Sukkot and Ruth on Shavuot -- not a distinct tune like the Eicha or Esther trope. Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Italian communities vary in when and how they read it, and some recite it plainly. You can hear and practice this cantillation in TropeTrainer.
Where to go next
Open a sample reading with Hebrew text, trope marks, and audio to see how TropeTrainer works.
How the Haftarah, the Five Megillot, and the High Holiday Torah readings are chanted.
Guided lessons on Torah cantillation, from the basic symbols to advanced phrases.